Dancing with the Stars - The Hollywood Gossip

Taylor Armstrong, Regis Philbin to Go Dancing With the Stars?

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:04:53 EST

With ratings down last season, Dancing With the Stars is under the gun from ABC to live up to its name and land a buzz-worthy crop of contenders this spring.

J.R. Martinez, last season's winner, proved enormously popular - once he was cast on it. He was probably one of the least-known celebrities prior to the show.

ABC reportedly wants to change that and is willing to bust out big bucks to bag big names and generate serious buzz next go-around. One rumored target:

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong!

"We would love to have the drama and emotion that Taylor Armstrong would bring to the show," said an insider, adding that they are also looking to balance that out.

"The lovability that Regis Philbin has given audiences for decades" makes the retired talk show host a perfect fit, as does “ABC's wonderful relationship with Regis."

In the last few weeks and months since the show has ended, the reality competition reached out to Kendall and Kylie Jenner and various Republican candidates.

Michele Bachmann on Dancing With the Stars? Now that'd be something. She's got a lot more free time after quitting the presidential rate too. Just saying!

Dancing with the Stars Reruns Coming to GSN

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:17:02 EST

To promote Game Show Network’s acquisition of Dancing with the Stars reruns, the cable channel recruited some past faves along with reigning champ J.R. Martinez.

Pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Derek Hough and Lacey Schwimmer joined Ralph Macchio, Mel B, Rick Fox, Gilles Marini, Audrina Patridge and Chaz Bono for a shoot.

You can begin catching reruns of DWTS on January 21 at 6 p.m. ET. First up: Season 4 (won by Apolo Ohno). GSN bought repeats through the coming Season 14.

Dancing With the Stars returns again this spring in the time slot now occupied by The Bachelor, which kicks off its all-new quest for love/drama/laughs/ratings tonight.

J.R. Martinez Awarded Unsung Hero Honor

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:19:23 EST

The Mirror Ball now has some company in J.R. Martinez's trophy case.

The Iraq War veteran, motivational speaker, advocate and actor who won Dancing with the Stars this fall put on his dancing shoes to help other disabled vets Friday.

As the guest of honor at Lois Pope's the Lady in Red Ball at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, he was presented with the Unsung Hero Award.

J.R. won for "overcoming devastating injuries to make a full life for himself and bringing the plight of three million living disabled veterans into our consciousness."

Martinez was asked to donate a dance at the event to the person who pledged $25,000 to benefit the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. He obliged.

"I am truly honored to be here, because Lois Pope's mission to build this Memorial in Washington is so awesome for someone like me to see," Martinez told People.

Pope, the widow of the founder of the celeb gossip magazine National Enquirer, is currently financing the expansive memorial on 2.4 acres in Washington, D.C.

A donor, who pledged the money for the memorial, deferred to Pope, who enjoyed her dance with Martinez. "I am so thrilled to meet his charming man," Pope said.

"I voted for him on Dancing with the Stars and asked all my friends to do the same. I am tremendously honored and inspired to be in his presence."

Martinez, who took time to talk to everyone at the gala, was wounded in a 2003 land mine explosion in Iraq and required 33 surgeries over two years.

J.R. Martinez Honored By U.S. Defense Department, Named Rose Parade Grand Marshal

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:26:40 EST

Let the J.R. Martinez victory tour begin.

Dancing With the Stars champion J.R. Martinez received an invitation from U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to visit the Pentagon and meet Panetta in person.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Panetta's respect for J.R., an Iraq War veteran, motivational speaker and actor, was displayed in a congratulatory note:

J.R. and Karina Smirnoff won the ABC competition Monday.

"Your strength and spirit have captivated the nation, and your victory sends a strong message about the strength and resilience of our wounded warriors."

The Defense Secretary then personally called J.R. to invite him to meet in person. J.R. Martinez will address thousands of active and retired troops while in D.C.

It seems everyone wants a piece of the man. Along with his journey to the Pentagon, Martinez has been named the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Rose Parade.

The annual extravaganza takes place New Year's Day. Not only that, the 28-year-old will co-host the pre-show of CNN's Heroes: An All-Star Tribute.

If you're looking for a true inspiration, you could do a lot worse.

Dancing With the Stars Winner J.R. Martinez Speaks on a Dream Come True

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:58:41 EST

J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff took home the title on last night's Dancing With the Stars season finale, besting Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke in a nail-biter.

Ricki Lake and Derek Hough came in third after what was a very evenly matched final round. In the end, though, the fan favorite and top dancer took the crown.

"I joked about gluing it on the hood of my car and just driving around L.A.," J.R. said of the Mirror Ball trophy. "Or be like rappers, make a chain out of it and just wear it around! I'm going to cherish this thing every single day!"

Mirror Ball jokes aside, J.R. took a moment to thank his fans, saying, "We just want to thank everyone who voted for us for 10 weeks and believed in us week in and week out! I had no idea what it would feel like and it feels amazing."

Though she says all the finalists were "a team of friends who compete and enjoy the process," Karina admits it was nice to win the competition - her first in 10 seasons.

"To come out on top at the end and to hold [the trophy], it's so beautiful."

J.R., the 28-year-old Iraq War veteran, motivational speaker and soap opera star, partly credits his fellow competitors Rob and Ricki for his big victory.

"Both of them did so well and were so great. It was great that we all progressed because they actually pushed us to be better," said the true class act.

Watch the moment of truth below ...

The Dancing With the Stars Winner is ...

Dancing With the Stars Season Finale Results: Who Won the Mirror Ball?

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:47:44 EST

It all came down to one last Dancing With the Stars results show.

After 10 weeks of competiton, Ricki Lake, J.R. Martinez and Rob Kardashian headed into the DWTS season finale Tuesday with one last chance to win it all.

Rob took a slight lead Monday night, with Ricki and J.R. steady but not perfect and in a tie for second. Clearly, all three deserved their spots in the finals.

Who hoisted the Mirror Ball, Rob, Ricki or J.R.?

While J.R. and Ricki traded the top spot much of the season, Rob came on strong late.

A dark horse underdog for weeks, he rose to the occasion and proved he belonged with some outstanding performances this week. But would they be enough?

Follow the jump to see who prevailed on the Dancing With the Stars season finale ...

J.R. Martinez, a fan favorite from the start, is your Season 13 champion!!

"First and foremost, I want to thank everybody who voted for us, for 10 weeks," the soap opera actor, motivational speaker and Iraq war veteran said.

And to Karina Smirnoff, who won for the first time in 10 tries, "You are amazing, and I'm so grateful I could be a part of your first mirror-ball trophy."

Rob came in second, and after both he and J.R. scored perfect instant samba 30s, we ended up with a two-night total of 112 for J.R. and 113 for Rob.

J.R.'s support from America was enough to overcome that slender margin.

J.R. Martinez on Dancing With the Stars (Finals - Freestyle)

Not that he's griping in the last. Despite the last-second loss, the Kardashian son made the best of his experience and says he isn't upset about it.

"I'm definitely not sad," Rob said. "I won in my book."

As for Ricki? "I've loved basically every minute of this," she said afterward. "I had the best partner, the best teacher, the best motivator there is."

"I've done something I really didn't think I could do."

Congratulations to all three finalists on a great run.

Did J.R. deserve to win Dancing With the Stars?

Rob Kardashian Makes Strong Case For Dancing With the Stars Title

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:43:16 EST

Talk about peaking at the right time.

Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke have been improving for weeks and have built up a nice Dancing With the Stars following, but Monday night - the final night of performances this season - marked the first time they finished atop the leaderboard.

Rob's waltz earned him a 9 out of 10 from each judge. His second routine, the freestyle, earned him all 10s and sole possession of the lead. Will that be enough to win him the prestigious Mirror Ball, or will J.R. Martinez or Ricki Lake overtake him?

Watch Rob's final two performances and vote in our poll below:

Rob Kardashian on Dancing With the Stars (Finals - Waltz)

Rob Kardashian on Dancing With the Stars (Finals - Freestyle)

Who do you think will win Dancing With the Stars?

J.R. Martinez Finishes Strong on Dancing With the Stars

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:55:32 EST

J.R. Martinez made his case for the Mirror Ball on the final night of performances on Dancing With the Stars. But will America deliver it for him this evening?

After suffering an injury last week, but the 28-year-old Iraq War vet, soap opera star and motivational speaker gave it his all in the cha cha and the freestyle.

The judges weren't in agreement on his first dance with partner Karina Smirnoff. The duo earned a 7 from Len, and 8 from Carrie Ann and a 9 from Bruno.

One thing the judges could agree on, however, was Martinez's freestyle. He earned a perfect 30, leaving him a tie for second with Ricki Lake for the night.

Whether J.R. or Ricki can overtake surprise frontrunner Rob Kardashian all depends on voter turnout. Watch J.R.'s final two dances of the season below ...

J.R. Martinez on Dancing With the Stars (Finals - Cha Cha)

J.R. Martinez on Dancing With the Stars (Finals - Freestyle)

Who will win Dancing With the Stars tonight?

Ricki Lake on Dancing With the Stars: Good Enough to Win?

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:53:06 EST

Ricki Lake was very good Monday night on Dancing With the Stars.

The question is, will very good be enough against the two men she's competing against? Ricki and Derek Hough earned all 9s for their cha cha and all 9s for their freestyle, for a combined total of 54. "We're very, very happy," she said. "I'm thrilled!"

Fan favorite J.R. Martinez has 54 as well, though, and upstart Rob Kardashian garnered 57. So it'll take quite the popular vote victory to propel Ricki to the Mirror Ball. Will it happen? Check out her routines below and vote on who you think will win:

Ricki Lake on Dancing With the Stars (Finals - Cha Cha)

Ricki Lake on Dancing With the Stars (Finals - Freestyle)

Who will win Dancing With the Stars tonight?

Dancing With the Stars Finals Recap: Rob Kardashian Takes Command!

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:42:36 EST

The 13th season of Dancing With the Stars has come down to one night.

Ricki Lake. Rob Kardashian. J.R. Martinez. All worthy parquet performers, as we know, but there can be only one Mirror Ball holder at the end of this. Who will it be?

Apparently no one told Rob that J.R. and Ricki were the consensus picks all season long, or that he was a 4-1 underdog headed into the final Monday of the season.

Because he's in sole possession of the lead right now!

His lead is only three points over both competitors, so this is going down to the wire. But who thought Rob Kardashian would be here now, let alone in first place?

Seriously, if you've watched this season at all, you knew he was good, maybe even a dark horse contender. But few saw him ever sitting on top of the world.

Rob and Cheryl Burke earned a perfect 30, their first of the fall, with a retro, Charleston-utilizing freestyle. When he said it was his time to peak, he meant it!

"This competition is often won or lost in the freestyle round and to get a 10 you have to blow us away. Consider me blown!" raved DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff earned a 30 of their own with an '80s hip-hop / samba mash-up that made you wanna get down. But their first dance hurt them.

A cha-cha that was deemed "not very good" by Len netted only 24 points. Meanwhile, Ricki Lake and Derek Hough received two sets of all nines on Monday.

All of that left Rob in first place on the leaderboard for the first time, albeit not by much, on the even of the final vote tallying. What a great season it's been!

Watching proudly along with her whole family was Kim Kardashian, in the house for the first time since announcing the end of her fake marriage to that guy.

"Did u guys see that!!!!!!" Kim tweeted afterward. "All 10's in the freestyle!!!! OMG I swear the whole fam is in tears!!!!! Let's go baby! Team CherBert!"

It's all up to the fans right now. Can they help the lagging teams make up the gap? Here's a look at how Monday's Dancing With the Stars scores shook out:

Rob Kardashian & Cheryl Burke: (27, 30) 57
J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff: (24, 30) 54
Ricki Lake & Derek Hough: (27, 27) 54

Who do you think has danced the best? Do you agree with scores, top to bottom? Most importantly, who do you think should hoist the Mirror Ball tonight?!

Comment below, and vote for who you think will win!