Stacey is no natural!

[smooth_dancer]

I can't believe that Stacey was billed as "the natural" at the start of tonight's show. Now, I really think the show is deliberately misleading the audience. In Stacey's bio on the Dancing with the Stars webpage, it says that she has been doing ballet and jazz since she was three. She was also a former NFL cheerleader before entering the world of professional wrestling. When she first entered wrestling, she was a "Nitro girl" who danced during the commercial breaks. Then, she was a manager for other male wrestlers. Only recently has she started wrestling and mostly in gimmick matches like "bra and panties" matches where the goal is to strip your opponent of garments. She's good at selling those matches!

Regardless of prior experience, I do I think Stacey should be allowed to compete on Dancing with the Stars, since she doesn't haven't ballroom experience. And, most actors and actresses have done some type of dancing in their careers, doing musicals in high schools and college, at least. So prior dancing experience is really a matter of degree. However, the show should be more honest about Stacey's background! No one can move like her without some prior dancing training.

[Joe]

What's it to ya, bub?

[gusmahler]

The DWTS website clearly states her background.

[smooth_dancer]

The DWTS website clearly states her background.

Yeah, which is strange why the on-air show never mentions it and now seems to be implying the contrary.

[saludas]

Yeah, which is strange why the on-air show never mentions it and now seems to be implying the contrary.
Dance experience does not = ballroom experience...

[Medira]

Dance experience does not = ballroom experience...
I'll second that. When I started ballroom, I had two weeks of lessons that were just re-learning how to walk.

(Heel?? You want me to step forward starting with my HEEL???? Blasphemy!)

[mamboqueen]

I'll second that. When I started ballroom, I had two weeks of lessons that were just re-learning how to walk.

(Heel?? You want me to step forward starting with my HEEL???? Blasphemy!)


Just two? It took me nearly a year! Stacey definitely has the others beat on posture.

[Medira]

Just two? It took me nearly a year! Stacey definitely has the others beat on posture.
Oh no, no, no, no, no...it was just two weeks of ONLY working on learning how to walk. Almost a year later, I'm still working on it. I've now added working on dancing too...figures, frame, connection, footwork, etc...

[twnkltoz]

A lot of ballet dancers have a hard time making the switch. I think she has taken to ballroom very naturally.

[smooth_dancer]

A lot of ballet dancers have a hard time making the switch. I think she has taken to ballroom very naturally.

Well, the ballet dancers always say that it's difficult. However, if you compare them with your average person with no dancing training whatsoever, they are still way ahead of the game.

[Chris Stratton]

Well, the ballet dancers always say that it's difficult. However, if you compare them with your average person with no dancing training whatsoever, they are still way ahead of the game.

They aren't going to get far along enough on the show to get to the point where the more subtle differences from ballet can become a real handicap compared to someone with no exposure to it. For the purposes of the show, if someone can make the obvious changes (partnering method and heel leads) that's enough.

[smooth_dancer]

They aren't going to get far along enough on the show to get to the point where the more subtle differences from ballet can become a real handicap compared to someone with no exposure to it. For the purposes of the show, if someone can make the obvious changes (partnering method and heel leads) that's enough.

Well, I didn't mean to imply that ballet dancers are handicapped! I meant to say that the ballet dancers are still way ahead of the game. Arm work, of course, is the most obvious.

[mamboqueen]

I just re-watched Thursday night's show. I think I liked her samba better the second time around. Missing some elements, but I think the music was so unhelpful to them.

[Joe]

The music was unhelpful to ALL of the couples!

[Medira]

The music was unhelpful to ALL of the couples!
Oh, definitely. It was ridiculous...the music that was more suited to a samba is the song that they chose for the group salsa! Yeesh. They need to find a music director who's got a clue. I mean, there are a number of songs out there that were on the charts in 2005 that would make pretty good sambas!