Derek Hough Blogs: “Marilu’s Feet Were Killing Her”
Aloha!!
This is one week where Derek’s blog just pisses me off. So, Marilu is hurting pretty badly and it doesn’t make the package? All that does make the package is her talking about how the Charleston should be her dance. This show is just getting worse and worse all the time with the manipulation – wasn’t Jana that they spent a whole package talking about her aches and pains and her touring and all that BS?? ANYONE else injured and we’d had about it ad nauseam – Marilu’s injured we not only don’t hear about it, but she rarely gets Erin face time…which means less camera time than other celebs. You know, the ones they want in the finale. To top it off, he’s got people telling him back stage that he was “dragging her” – I could tell that kind of pissed him off as well. Jesus – this show has gone to shit. I sure hope Derek is completely done after this season because I honestly don’t know if I can stomach this kind of shit any more – and all because the squeaky wheels don’t want him to win any more. They must be pretty scared of his fanbase if they have to work this hard to make sure it DOESN’T happen.
Anyway, here’s an excerpt – go to TV Guide to read the whole thing.
Monday night wasn’t the best for us, but I’m very proud of Marilu for what she did and pushing through. They didn’t show it, but Marilu’s feet were killing her last week. It started last Thursday while we were dancing, and Marilu started mentioning that her feet were hurting. There’s a lot of hopping in the Charleston and I don’t think her feet were used to that. They got progressively worse, so much so that she could literally barely walk down the stairs on show day. She had injections and numbing cream. She tried all these different things to no avail. It was just a combination of things. Her feet hurt, her ribs hurt, she broke out into hives one day.
By the time Monday came around, she was in a lot of pain. When you watch the routine, you can really see she was really timid. That dance was honestly pretty good when we first rehearsed it. We were both really excited about it. Having to do the team dance didn’t help either, obviously, and as you saw, she fell over in that. During that move, we were supposed to come together, push off each other, separate, and I kind of guide her. I moved her a little, but if you look closely, she caught her foot and tripped over her feet. I was like, “Are you OK? Are you OK? I’m so sorry.” And she was like, “I’m landed on my butt. I’m totally fine!” That is so Marilu. She wasn’t like, “Aw, man, I’m so bummed I fell.” She was like, “I fell on my butt, I’m good.” Somebody said to me afterward, “Derek, you need to calm down. You’re literally dragging her.” I was like, “Really, guys? Really?”
i feel like the producers are trying to prove that they are not biased towards derek but yet they showing favoritism towards jana and gleb. i hope that marilu’s injury wouldnt force her to withdraw but thats how dwts works. my favorites are still james and terra.
They seem to have done everything in their power to make sure Derek and Marilu get an early exit. This season they have not even done many major interviews in comparison to others. They have constantly underscoreded her while being kind to Maureen and being harder on her. The new found love for the one trying to play a sex kitten is suprizing.
I’ve been pissed about the manipulation for a long time now, and stopped watching the show in it’s entirety some time ago. I depend on various sites to show Derek videos. Also, I accumulated a list of several pages of commercial sponsors that I now totally boycott- everything from automobiles to healthcare service providers to other ABC shows. I love and respect Derek Hough and his accomplishments and give Marilu all the credit for dancing so well and keeping up with him. A message to TPTB…we do have power and intend to use it. The end of the show is approaching faster than you think. Congratulate yourselves.
Derek says in his blog that he was surprised Marilu’s injuries were not shown in her package since it was such a big part of the week!
But I think TPTB omitted Marilu’s injuries in her package on purpose so that it would appear to viewers that she was not dancing well, get a lowball score & thereby receive fewer viewer votes from the uneducated public. Now (after voting has closed) we find out the true backstory and what a trooper she was throughout the night!
Rob Wade needs to explain why Marilu’s injuries were not televised while Sharna’s knee, Jana’s tears, Laurie’s prom and Calvin’s ankle were highlighted.
Whether they include the real story from last Monday in this week’s show doesn’t matter because a false perception & narrative has already been set.
And I double love Derek for going to a fabric store to buy elastic for their Halloween AT in the middle of all this ?
Grrr. Pisses me off! Hope all the Derek fans voted their butts off for them! Sabotage the producer manipulations!!!
Of course that’s what they did, Nancy. Absolutely.
True…Marilu and Derek have been exactly nowhere this season in terms of media. Since that is all arranged by the show’s publicist, I guess the writing is on the wall.
Good thing Derek is moving to NBC. Perhaps he should STAY there.
matthew, they ARE biased – only it’s against Derek. And that’s far worse (and mind numbingly stupid) than being biased for him. They need him for a number of reasons. Problem is – Derek loves the show. Because of that they know they can screw him and his partner over ten ways to sunday and still use him for Emmy nominations and his fanbase.
I wonder where Derek’s line is – I think he might be too close to the show to see that he’s become a detriment to his partners because the producers are total assholes.
I don’t want to question the producer’s behaviour towards Derek here, we’ve seen it many times how they really screwed him and his partner in order to prevent him from winning another MBT, but I also think the reason Marilu isn’t getting much attention from the media might be herself too. I don’t want to sound rude or anything, I think she might be a very likable person in personal life, but as far as her presence on the show goes, I think there are celebs people are much more enthusiastic about this season. I personally wouldn’t vote for her if she hadn’t been paired with Derek who I love, that’s what I mean. I just hope every week she could get out of her head because I think that’s her only problem here, but except for her VW, it never happened. Still hope she nailes her AT this week since I think it might very well be her last dance.
PH, could Derek’s acceptance of an opportunity on another network have something to do with this? Derek had mentioned that NBC was his “home” network this season. Your thoughts?
I too have largely checked out of the show; some weeks I don’t watch at all, just watch dances after the fact. Other times I flip back and forth only watching the couples I’m interested in and I rarely listen to the judges comments, because most of the time they are ridiculous!
On the one hand, I love having Derek on tv each week, but on the other hand the manipulation has driven me away. IMO, Derek’s problem is his loyalty to the show. I’m hoping that maybe he will wake up and put the show in his rear view mirror, maybe returning only as a guest performer
or choreographer! I feel bad for his partners as they are the ones hurt with the editing and manipulation!
I agree with just about everything that has been said and I am so sorry Marilu is hurt. What a trooper she is! As far as the Show this will be my last Season. As a matter of fact I think I’m done now. Can’t stand the thought of watching them get eliminated! They should have made Derek Creator of Choreography years ago. Then maybe the show would be good. I miss Mark very much but after seeing him on Broadway I am so happy to see him so happy. He did a fabulous job. I would like to see Derek happy to and be in a place where he can grow and grow. The manipulation has always been bad but this Season is the worst or maybe I am just done! I am so over Jana!!!
I feel like after the last episode, you could really tell exactly the couple’s they wanted in the finals. It was kind of pathetically obvious. If Derek weren’t in the show, I honestly don’t think I would watch it anymore.
What a trooper! We had NO idea that Marilu was suffering from foot pain at all, let alone this much pain. While doing their tap segment, I did, however, see she had patches on her feet/ankles. I wish we had known sooner…wish it had been mentioned in their package…because that would have totally explained her timing being somewhat off and her dancing more tentatively, and it would have prevented negative remarks to and about Derek, like he’s “dragging” her and someone advising him to “calm down.” There is NO pro more caring, compassionate, and understanding with their partners than Derek. For TPTB to deliberately leave out this vital piece of info is unacceptable and inexcusable. And to do this to two people who genuinely love the show is horrendous. Derek not only brings a huge fan base plus Emmys to DWTS, but his joy, passion, light, love, enthusiasm, and sense of humor just radiate pure positivity and brighten up the whole atmosphere. And Marilu has been a fan of the show for many years and has been wanting to be on for quite some time. It hurts to see them being treated like this. Had we been informed about her injuries during their package, Derek would not have been subject to the nasty criticism and comments to this extent. I love Derek, I used to enjoy the show, but I’m having a hard time watching the agendas and the blatant manipulation by TPTB…clearly favoring certain couples by presenting them in a positive light, or as victims, and giving them generous air time with Erin, while withholding pertinent info and giving very limited air time with Erin to a certain other couple. Going into this competition, everyone should be on the same playing field, each couple should be treated equally and without bias, and the judges should be objective, fair, and consistent with all couples. All this manipulation is ruining the show for me, and I’m afraid it will ultimately lead to its downfall because it’s no longer the lovely ballroom dance competition it once was. Derek and Marilu deserve the same respect that the other couples get.
Now to get back to Derek’s wonderful, interesting, and upbeat blog! Always love reading his insightful thoughts and positive words. So looking forward to Derek and Marilu’s AT on Monday!! Their Halloween theme sounds fascinating, and this performance is going to be thrilling! Glad to hear Marilu’s feet are doing much better this week…hope she continues to improve. And so excited about Derek being in Hairspray Live!! So looking forward to this live show on December 7! He’s going to shine on that stage!
Derek and Marilu, we love you, we’re behind you, and we’re voting for you all the way!! You can do this!! #teamhennergy
I think Marilu is plenty enthusiastic about the show, she said she was a huge fan several times. I think the problem is 2 fold, she’s still not totally letting go and they’re getting bad edits. I feel bad for her bc she was so excited about coming on the show and now it seems the shadiness of the producers is wearing her down.
I agree with you Leigh #11. Derek’s biggest problem is his loyalty to this show. I think from now on all his partners will be judge or criticize under a microscope unless he gets someone like Bindi who is all around lovable. Derek is too great that it became unfortunate to his partner. I kinda have a feeling Derek would come back next season though, unless he’s really tight with his schedule and no room to move. I remember watching him BTS last season even when he wasn’t a pro. Now that Hayley is part of the show it might encourage him to stay. Those two seems inseparable 🙂 Anyway, I have stopped watching the show since week 3(?) because it’s getting too “bachelor-y” for me. Wait, I think I watched one dance on YT which was the pro opening with Andre Rieu.
Until another TV show comes around that will give Derek an opportunity to perform in front of 11 million people at one shot, 11 weeks at a time, I’m still eager to have Derek on this show.
Broadway has its classy appeal, to be sure, but it is more insular, with a significantly reduced audience, and comes with the price that most of his fans across the country will no longer get to see him dance except through old YouTube videos.
Plus, I think of all the other creative endeavors that he has in LA outside DWTS that he would no longer do, and friends that he has there that he would no longer be able to regularly hang out with, and I compare the weather in NYC to that in California — and I’m sorry, but I don’t think NYC would have the same quality of life for him. It would be different, it would give him new challenges, but I don’t think it would be better.
So— sure, from time to time, perhaps for a few seasons, he would do well to exercise his acting and singing chops on Broadway. But I like seeing him on my TV screen, so I will always pray that he comes back.
This reminds me of Bindi & Derek’s partnership. She never said anything about her feet blistering up into sores like they were until later on in the season. Then when she showed Derek, he was like, “Why didn’t you tell me?” I just really admire women who are strong like Bindi & Marilu. I have to give her a lot of credit especially because of her advanced age. She and Maureen have done much better than some older women who have been on the show.
I agree with PHeidi that the TPTB piss me off also with their not showing Marilu’s feet hurting really bad that she could hardly walk even with injection and topical pain relievers, still hurting. She’s a tough gal!!
Something tells me that maybe Marilu & Derek are getting a lot more votes and TPTB are not wanting her to be in the Semi-final/Finale. I’ve noticed a lot of negative things with this couple. (stupid music to the wrong kind of dance style, nit-picking too much and not enough to others, and they haven’t gone last that I can remember) I also think that the Team Future got totally screwed with that crappy music.
It’s about GROWTH, Psychee – DWTS has no growth opportunities. Not everything or everyone feels that being on a cheesy TV show just to be seen every week is an ideal thing. There are so many more things that he’s capable of where he wouldn’t be treated like shit. Like Hairspray. Like Singin’ in the Rain – which is still on, by the way.
I just don’t believe that someone should put up with *anything* just to be on TV. Hell, he makes more money from his tours and he has more creative control. I’m hoping that Broadway and Hairspray will be doors to even more TV and perhaps movies, if that’s what he wants. But DWTS is a sinking ship and if they will go so far out of their way to ruin the experience for his partners, then what, exactly, is the point?
How do we know that Marilu isn’t “letting go?” We don’t get to actually SEE much from either of them. Derek is very happy with what she’s doing and – having spoken to her – I believe that she’s doing everything she can.
BTW, tired of the concern trolling. Seeing a lot of that around here and I’ve avoided mentioning it – but you guys are pretty transparent.
I don’t think so, Joanne – I think it started before this season, it’s just gotten worse. The writing is on the wall where Derek is concerned and they want him there but they can’t let him get to the finale. There’s no money in it for them. He’s booked pretty solid – I feel pretty sure that Move 3 is coming, then Singin’ in the Rain.
Lucie, you’re projecting. Fact is, DWTS PR sets up all the interviews with the couples – and Marilu hasn’t had any. There are two explanation for this – none of the shows care about DWTS anymore (this could be a big part of it, since E! rarely mentions it any more) or the PR folks are only focusing on their chosen few. Of course – Locte = scandal; Kramer = scandal; Hernandez = massive Olympic Ringer….there you have three explanations. If you really pay attention to the entertainment shows, James and Calvin haven’t been getting much love either, but more than Marilu (James anyway).
I haven’t watched since Week 3 because of the manipulation. It totally pisses me off the way they have treated Marilu and Derek. It’s so transparent as to who they want in the final and why – pros who are going on the DWTS tour. I really hope that Derek gives his head a shake and realizes that his partners will get screwed by TPTB from now on (and for a while now actually) because he has his own bigger and better tour, so he will not be making any money for DWTS. If you ask me, TPTB are only shooting themselves in the foot by turning loyal fans (and perhaps even Derek) off with their disgusting manipulation! Rant over!
It seems to me that when the show runner switched from Conrad Green to Rob Wade, the relentless manipulation started. What’s Rob Wade’s devotion to Val about? Now the producers want to decide who wins, and they’ll twist the edits and interviews to that end. I have no idea why the producers promote Val over better choreographers and teachers, season after season. So tired of it. The show was a lot better with Conrad.
When I saw Marilu do that incredible Fosse back roll in rehearsal I thought “wow this is going to be good” it’s not easy to do that, and I was thinking we were going to get a Chita Rivera interpretation…(what a treat I saw Chita in Chicago about 17 years ago when she was 66) and when the Charleston lost its steam I couldn’t figure out why, except that some had mentioned she is better in rehearsal than live. I had been rooting for Marilu to do well, since this is absolutely unique to see a 64 year old lady compete with the same sort of elasticity in her body and core that a 30 year old would do..this is so rare, only ladies like Chita have really pulled it off. So I am bummed to hear she is sore and I hope she can re-group for an Argentine Tango with sizzle. Truly my favorite Argentine Tangos are danced by mature performers.
I wonder who the doofus was who told Derek he was dragging Marilu around?
Marilu and Derek’s treatment makes me particularly sad because she’s such a fan of the show and you can tell that doing the show with Derek as her partner is a dream come true for her.
Also, Derek is:
A) The shows most well known pro to the general public and really repected within the industry.
B) Won multiple Emmys for his work on the show.
C) Works equally as hard to showcase his partners whether they’re a ringer or a novice.
D) Takes challenging partners and makes magic with them.
E) Loves and promotes the show very much.
So the show treating one of it’s biggest assets like a pile of doggy doo is misquided, crazy, and just plain stupid.
I think “sore” is putting it mildly, Casanova.
And the concern trolls seem to have trouble recognizing that.
I don’t get why they always screw Derek over in this way. He is literally the only pro (minus mark) that generates buzz outside the show with his Emmys and broadway buzz. Is it just so he doesn’t win??
And its not like Derek takes it lying down, he always speaks out when he feels like he’s being manipulated by the show.
I think it ebbs and flows. Derek/Shawn/Kellie/Amber/Amy/Bindi were well represented in packages and press, while not so much with Nastia and Marilu. I know he is grateful to the DWTS for the platform it’s provided, but he’d hardly be the first pro nor fan to be weary of this show’s manipulation and sometimes shameful treatment of its selective cast members. For now, I hope Marilu’s tootsies are better and that she smokes this AT.
It ebbs and flows based on what is going on behind the scenes, wynn – its not a natural ebb or flow. People LOVED Bindi and she was likely winning from Day 1 – they did their best to pimp Nick but they had to just keep him in longer. I suspect they knew he wasn’t winning from Day 1 – shutting Bindi down would have been counter productive.
Shawn – I think you forget that they did their damnedest over the course of the season to make sure that Shawn didn’t win. They worked HARD for it.
Kellie – again, Zendaya was likely winning from Day 1 just through sheer spamming volumn of her fans. Them breaking the internet voting allowed the only truly “general public opinion” win in the history of the show and was not in the plans for the season if you were a producer.
Amy – they are NOT going to pull that kind of crap with someone with no feet. Talk about backfiring.
The tissue in my ankle is torn on top of having inflammatory disease so while watching Marilu I instantly could tell her feet was bad and when she fell I was nervous for her. I was never a huge fan of Derek (his partnership with Bindi made me a fan) but I’ve grown to appreciate his work ethic and drive.
It might be the suggestive comments by the judges that make me feel like that. Her feet hurting so badly may have made her seem tense last week. I like her a lot and I love that she’s a fan of the show and Derek..it’s almost like she’s one of us.