It's official.
Confirming the rumors, Girl Next Door Holly Madison sashayed over to Dancing With the Stars last night to replace Jewel, who dropped out last week after training left her with fractured bones in both legs.
"I've wanted to do it for so many years," Madison said after the show. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity, even if it is last-minute."
With Jewel sitting stageside (next to the also injured Nancy O'Dell, who has been replaced by The Bachelor's Melissa Rycroft), Madison made her debut dancing a cha-cha in an orange minidress. While most of the other contestants had about three to four weeks to work on their fancy footwork, Ms. Madison and her partner Dmitry Chaplin had just six days.
Madison tells me she’s not scared of getting injured, but you’ll have to forgive her if she’s walking somewhat funny these days…
“I was so sore I couldn't even climb the stairs in my condo!” she said. “My feet hurt like hell!”
Madison realizes that love connection gossip between her and Chaplin is probably inevitable, but insists nothing could be further from her mind these days. “I don't think anyone would bother starting romance rumors about me. I am all business,” said Madison, who recently split from her boyfriend of a few months, Mindfreak illusionist Criss Angel. “I don't want any romance in my life right now. I could never find a guy who will live up to my expectations.”
As for Madison’s performance, judge Len Goodman said it "wasn't bad" considering the short time she's had to practice. "I'm sure you're going to come out [next week] and be fabulous," Goodman predicted of her and Chaplin's upcoming quick step.
The two walked away with an 18 out of a possible 30.
As for her biggest competition? She thinks fellow newbie Melissa from The Bachelor is the one to beat: “She is a natural dancer and everyone loves her, including me.”
Yeah, but can Melissa deliver like Madison when it comes to the audience? “I’m inviting all my girlfriends to the shows,” Madison promises. “There will be a lot more hot girls in the audience this season!”