DWTS 12, Week 7 – Nicki Minaj, James Blunt, Shirley Ballas, Val Chmerkovskiy & More On “Ballroom Greats Week”

The theme for week 7 is “Ballroom Greats”. Lots on tap!! The entertainment includes Nicki Minaj, James Blunt, Wayne Brady, and the Macy’s Stars of Dance. Former Ballroom Champions Shirley Ballas (Mark’s Mother) and Luca Baricchi will make special appearances to help teach the couples. Donnie Burns MBE (the most decorated Latin dancer of all time) will be a guest judge. Val Chmerkovskiy (Maks’ brother) and his professional partner, Daria Chesnokova, will dance on the Results show (see a new fun video of them dancing and Val talking with he and Maks’ Dad here.). More below and at ABC Medianet.

“Episode 1207” – “Dancing with the Stars” celebrates “Ballroom Greats” week, MONDAY, MAY 2 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET/PT), on The ABC Television Network. Serving as guest judge, alongside Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, is Donnie Burns MBE, the most decorated Latin dancer of all time and head of the World Dance Council. Each couple, who will dance a style they have yet to perform, will have received a “master class” from one of ballroom’s best, either former Latin World Champion Shirley Ballas or Luca Baricchi, former Ballroom World Champ.

Monday is also the first time that the couples perform two dances, the second, the Team Cha Cha Competition. Captains Hines Ward and Chelsea Kane lead their teams, Kirstie Alley & Kendra Wilkinson and Ralph Macchio & Romeo, respectively, each to be scored as a group by the judges.

On TUESDAY, MAY 3 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), the evening begins with “Dancing with the Stars: The Encore,” which will show highlights from the previous night’s performances. Then on “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show: Episode 1207A” (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET), another couple will be eliminated from the competition, and musical guests James Blunt and Nicki Minaj perform. James Blunt will sing “I’ll Be Your Man” and, in honor of “Ballroom Greats” week, Amateur U.S. Latin champions Val Chmerkovskiy and his partner, Daria Chesnokova, will dance. Nicki Minaj performs “Moment 4 Life” — Lacey Schwimmer, Chelsie Hightower, Kiki Nyemchek and Sonny Pederson dance.

This week’s “Macy’s Stars of Dance” is a special tribute to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, in celebration of his birthday. The multitalented Wayne Brady stars in the number and is choreographed by creative directors Kevin and Marcel Wilson.

In the first “Spotlight Segment” of the season, the spotlight shines on 17-year-old ballerina Patricia Zhou. Patricia currently studies at the prestigious Kirov Academy of Ballet and has just been accepted at the Royal Ballet. In the weeks to come, “Spotlight Segments” will feature people whose lives have been changed by dance.

This is going to be fun. I can’t wait to see Val dance again! Who’s with me on this? 🙂