As a diehard “Dancing With the Stars” fan, how could I not write a piece with the finale this week? The show has really upped its game this season. It seemed like there was a different theme almost every week (American week, guilty pleasures week, etc.). The pressure seems to be higher for the dancers and their pros to learn three dances in only four days and have all of them perfect for Monday night. This season has also had a lot of injuries, more than any other I can remember. Now it’s down to the final three couples, so here’s my take on them.
Chelsea Kane and her partner Mark Ballas have fought for their spot in the finals. They’re always thinking outside the box, taking risks. Risk taking is usually a crowd pleaser but not always a judge pleaser. The judges have argued back and forth and questioned some of the couple’s dances, but here they are in the finals. Chelsea is a great dancer, and Mark brings out the best in her. They deserve this spot in the finals.
As a Bengals fan, I hate to admit it, but Hines Ward and his partner Kym Johnson are great dancers. Hines has shown week after week that he deserves his spot in the finals. I don’t think there was a dance he has done that the judges didn’t like. He was the first one to score a perfect 30, which he did twice in one night. After Kym’s horrific fall and neck injury, I wasn’t sure how he would pull through if paired with a different pro. However, he, and especially Kym, pulled through amazingly.
My personal favorite and predicted choice to bring home the trophy is Kirstie Alley and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who never cease to amaze and entertain. From day one Kirstie has shocked us all. When she opened her dancing debut with the Cha Cha, Judge Bruno told her that her foot placement was the best of the night. Kirstie has said many times that Maks is the only one who can handle her, and he does a fabulous job at it, bringing out the best in her, and she brings out the best in Maks. Kirstie’s energy and love for dancing is obvious on the dance floor. The pair’s energy is contagious. Kirstie pushes through and doesn’t quit no matter what and Maks doesn’t allow her to give up.
Their relationship is strong and makes you feel as if you are a part of their journey with them, and what a journey it has been! They have had their ups and their downs (both have taken falls) but now they are back on the ups and ready to take home that trophy.