PEOPLE 25 Seasons of Dancing With The Stars

By The Editors of PEOPLE

All the glitter, all the glamour, all the moves!

Go onto the floor, behind the curtain and to the judge's table of America's favorite dance competition in this new collector's edition from People. Now in its 25th season, Dancing with the Stars continues to dazzle viewers with sequins and feathers, tear-jerking backstories and, of course, the moves. Fans will thrill to this fun-filled keepsake of the show, packed with exclusive interviews with the pros and the models, TV icons, boy-band members and athletes that are their partners, as well as the judges, behind-the-mirrorball drama, shocking moments and scandalous costumes-plus Maks and Peta's wedding and more DWTS love. Bonus: Bruno-isms! Put on your dancing shoes and celebrate the show's landmark 25th season with dozens of dazzling photographs and compelling stories, all gathered together in PEOPLE 25 Seasons of Dancing with the Stars.

• Language: English
• Publisher: People
• Release date: Sep 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781683300953

Book preview

Hollywood.

Let’s Dance!

VICTORY! Season 13 winners J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff in their finale freestyle.

SEASON 1

A Dazzling Debut

A ballroom competition live in prime time? Six celebrities—none trained in dance—took a leap of faith, which paid off as fans learned there was more to them than soap operas, swimsuits and Seinfeld

KELLY MONACO The show started with an upset when the General Hospital star moved quickly ahead of a New Kid on the Block. All my life I’ve been the underdog, Monaco said.

EVANDER HOLYFIELD Bruno Tonioli told the boxing great that his quickstep was a bit like watching Terminator keeping up with Tinker Bell! Sliwinska took Holyfield to the place he felt at home—a boxing ring—to nail footwork that would make him lighter on his toes.

JOEY McINTYRE Practicing with the ex-New Kid, partner DelGrosso asked, "As a favor, can you show me that move you did in The Right Stuff [video]? That side-shuffle?’ He starts doing it, and I started to blush!"

TRISTA SUTTER Sutter’s spirit in rehearsals was no surprise to fans of the earnest Bachelorette. She’s a very quick and hungry learner, praised van Amstel. Her week 1 elimination, however, was an unexpected rejection.

THE SEASON 1 CAST*

Trista Sutter

the first Bachelorette star

Louis van Amstel

Evander Holyfield

boxer

Edyta Sliwinska

Rachel Hunter

model

Jonathan Roberts

Joey McIntyre

New Kids on the Block singer

Ashly DelGrosso

John O’Hurley

Seinfeld’s J. Peterman

Charlotte Jorgensen

Kelly Monaco

General Hospital star Alec Mazo

* Cast listed in order of elimination

Blazing Paddles

Millions of armchair critics tune in to judge the amateur dancers from home, but from the start Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli have found artful ways to deliver the good or bad news to stars’ faces

THE JUDGES The original panel has been joined by Julianne Hough and guests from Mandy Moore to Bruno Mars.

Len Goodman, once a competitive ballroom dancer, and Bruno Tonioli, an Italian dancer-choreographer, were judging Britain’s Strictly Come Dancing when they were imported to offer critiques with choreographer (and former Fly Girl) Carrie Ann Inaba. The wise, funny and passionate original trio—who were joined in 2014 by Julianne Hough—sat down with People at season 20 to talk about everything from Tonioli’s tangents to Inaba’s tears.

Be honest: Did you really think this show would fly in the U.S.?

LG: It was on, then it was off, then it was on. Bruno was invited from the get-go, but they thought I was too old. If I was too old [then], God knows what I am now!

BT: It’s called evergreen, Len.

CAI: The show is nostalgic­; it reminded me of Lawrence Welk. I loved that.

When do you first see a routine?

CAI: When we walk in on show night, unless there was a rehearsal that they called us in for.

Do you judge only on dancing, or are you influenced by the stars’ stories?

CAI: My numeric score will be based on the dance itself. But because I have a soft spot, if they have gone through a tough week, whether or not it shows in the dance, I will make a comment.

Bruno and Len, who is in charge of the tissues when Carrie Ann starts crying?

BT: Carrie Ann is really emotional­— it comes from the heart. As long as I don’t get wet, I don’t mind.

LG: We really are committed to this show. We love it and we take it seriously. It’s not a game to us.

Have you ever apologized for a comment that hurt someone?

BT: No! It’s my job to comment. If you look awkward, you look awkward.

LG: None of us goes out of our way to be cruel or hurt anyone’s feelings. It’s to help improve their dancing.

How do you feel when a dancer disagrees with your remarks?

LG: Judging is just an opinion. Bruno loves spaghetti. I don’t like spaghetti, because it makes me vomit. I don’t mind if the pros answer back and disagree. The pro has spent all week teaching something, and then [we come] along and say, Well, I think that didn’t fit the music, or whatever. They’re going to be upset.

When Bruno goes off on a tangent, what are you thinking?

LG: Get out of the way or I’ll get my eye poked out. He’s eloquent; it’s just that he does tend to use his arms. I cuddle up with Carrie Ann for protection.

Are you close outside the show?

BT: It’s like a family for