ABC/KELSEY McNEALRocco DiSpirito says it was not his choice to do a Viennese waltz to Tom Jones' camp classic "What's New Pussycat?" on last night's Dancing With the Stars.
"We were stymied by the song for about a day," DiSpirito tells me of the tune picked by producers. "But then we figured out how to channel our inner pussycats."
Unfortunately those inner pussycats only brought the chef and his partner Karina Smirnoff 20 points from the judges, nearly the lowest score. Kooky Cloris Leachman was once again on the bottom with just 16.
Read on to find out what the handsome celebrity chef has to say about Bruno's food references, an injured Misty May-Treanorand the song he'd really like to dance to.
Wow! That was some outfit you wore last night. So is all white slimming?
It started out as an all velvet fuchsia outfit, so you see I did really well here.
How much weight have you lost since starting DWTS?
About 10-plus pounds.
Bruno said the Viennese waltz is like a "light mouse" but your performance was more like a "lump of mashed potatoes." Do you ever get sick of the food references?
The references are great. I love being a chef, and these references are the only way my cooking skills get acknowledged. My invite for dinner for Bruno is still open, and the menu will consist of every food he's referenced on the show.
Carrie Ann said you have a puppy dog quality. And someone in my office said she thinks Carrie Ann likes to stay on good terms with all the eligible guys on the show...so do you think she may have a thing for you?
Being compared to a puppy is the greatest thing anyone has ever said about me. As far her having a thing for me, thanks for the compliment, but have you seen me dance?
Did you ever think you’d make it this far in the competition?
I promised myself I would be happy no matter what happens. I am thrilled to have made it this far, but it's only week three and I have a lot of work to do. I am practicing a minimum of 10 hours a day. I am literally doing everything I can to reward [the fans] for their faith in me, even if it means dancing blindfolded and dressing like a Venetian gondolier/ice cream man.
What song would you really love to do some ballroom dancing to?
"Monster Mash" was my fave song as a little kid. Back then when I wasn't self-conscious, I used to rock it!
Do you think one of the voted-off contestants should be allowed to come back on now that Misty May-Treanor had to drop out?
I think what happened to Misty was heartbreaking. She is a world-class athlete and a world-class person. We are all so sorry to see her go. I got to see her do the dance just before she hurt herself, and she was doing so well. I would love to see her come back and do the jive she worked so hard on.