My last season on DWTS was in 2015 with Paula Deen. After years of not being on I had given up the idea of being back for no particular reason. Fast forward to late August in 2022. Out of left field, I got a call from casting director and executive producer, Deena Katz, who told me that Cheryl Ladd had requested me as her pro partner. Any pro ballroom dancer who says no to DWTS is crazy. Of course, I said yes and was given less than a week to get my ducks in a row at home.
Meeting Cheryl Ladd and working with her for weeks was truly amazing. I was dancing with an original Charlie’s Angel! Cheryl was so dedicated to learning ballroom dance. I wanted to start this season with a simple Cha Cha, so Cheryl was able to focus on her personality and ease into the season. One of the judges’ comments was that the choreography was too easy and needed to push Cheryl because in Carrie-Ann Inaba’s opinion, she could more than handle it. I took her advice and indeed, Cheryl did great in rehearsal and was even excited to show her ability in our Tango. Unfortunately, while we performed our dance ‘live’ Cheryl made a mistake and for the rest of the dance, her nerves got the better of her. Low scores, but the judges also had some encouraging words.
Week 3 was Bond night and we had ‘Diamonds are Forever’ by Shirley Bassey, one of Cheryl’s favorite songs. I was not going to make it too hard, but I was going to push for technique and body action. Cheryl took to it and by the time the show came around, she felt so good. When we started our Rumba, I could see in Cheryl’s eyes she was in it to win it. She danced better ‘live’ than in any of the rehearsals. I couldn’t be prouder of Cheryl and how she turned around her state of mind from week two to week three. She looked gorgeous, danced beautifully, and received great accolades from the judges, and yet this was the evening we got voted off. We were both very surprised as the judges gave her such great remarks and we had a lot of votes the week before. Even though this was a short season, I had the best time with Cheryl and appreciate the down-to-earth woman she is. Nothing but admiration!
I would like to share that season 31 was very special for another reason, as I got the opportunity to choreograph and dance the farewell dance with Cheryl Burke, revamping Barry Manilow’s ‘Copacabana’ we did during a result show in season 2.