Cheryl Burke Urged Tom DeLay to Quit Dancing
ABC/Harper Smith
Cheryl Burke may not have been thrilled about having to leave Dancing With the Stars so early, but she realizes it was the only step Tom DeLay could have made.
"He talked to me a few days before," the Dancing pro said last night at Hollywood Life's Hollywood Style Awards, where she was given the Choreographer Award by her former partner Gilles Marini.
"It was during rehearsal when he could only rehearse 30 minutes a day," she said. "I could see it was getting worse. I offered it to him. I said, 'Tom, you don't have to continue, honestly. I don't think it'd be good for you."
DeLay, as DWTS fans know, announced his departure from season nine after last week's performance show because he was suffering from fractures in both feet.
But we haven't seen the last of this pair...
Hayden Costar: More Girl-on-Girl Kissing, Please!
NBC
Kissing Hayden Panettiere on Heroes didn't come as a complete shock to Madeline Zima.
"I had an inkling," Zima told us yesterday at Hollywood Life's Hollywood Style Awards at the Armand Hammer Museum in L.A. "I did always play my character a little bit with some kind of secret—whether it was that or something else still remains to be seen."
So what was it like locking lips with Claire-Bear on the episode airing tonight? Mostly business as usual...
Dancing Loses Two: One Is Booted, DeLay Bows Out
Just when you thought Dancing With the Stars had no more surprises up its frilly, multicolored sleeves...
Not only was Chuck Liddell's zombie-town samba with Anna Trebunskaya the routine the judges chose to kick off elimination night—not the most pleasing dance to look at, but still worthy of another round of applause—but Tom DeLay and his fractured feet were the first to be declared safe!
But if you were following your reality-TV news today, you already knew the ex-congressman was planning to drop out of the competition due to the severity of his injuries.
So being called first was really just a little dramatic salt in the ol' wound there.
Breaking News
DeLay to Dancing: I Know How to Quit You
ABC/CRAIG SJODIN
Tom DeLay is saying good-bye to Dancing With the Stars.
I just got word that the former Republican congressman will announce on tonight's results show that his injuries have left him no choice but to drop out of the competition.
With stress fractures in both of his feet, the 62-year-old Texan performed the samba last night against the advice of his doctors and DWTS producers.
DeLay started feeling pain before the season even premiered...
Exclusive
Dancing's Mya: "My Feet Are Really Bad Right Now"
Mya may have been hurting last night on Dancing With the Stars, but she certainly wasn't showing it.
Not only did her steamy rumba with hunky Dmitry Chaplin land them on top with 27 points, but they received the season's first 10s from Carrie Anne and Bruno.
"My feet are really bad right now," Mya told me this morning during our exclusive weekly chat. "They look horrible. They feel like crap. I tape them up every day like athletes during rehearsal and wait until show day to take the tape off."
But it's nothing compared to what Tom DeLay is going through. Read on to find out what Mya has to say about the former congressman's two foot fractures, as well as grumpy judge Len Goodman and Bruno's Brokeback moment with Donny Osmond.
Tom DeLay Won't Be DeLaid Up By Foot Injury
ABC/CRAIG SJODIN
The stress of preparing for his Dancing With the Stars debut is starting to get to Tom DeLay.
Or to his feet at least.
The ex-congressman revealed via Twitter today that he has sustained a pre-stress fracture in his foot—which appears to be a relief for the 62-year-old Texan.
"Old age is catching up to me, may have a stress fracture in my foot. no worries, it'll take more than that to keep me off the dance floor!" DeLay wrote around noon.
Two hours later, he followed up with, "No stress fracture! It is a pre-stress fracture. I live for another day."
DeLay's partner, two-time winner and last year's runner-up, Cheryl Burke, is either thrilled and relieved or has vowed to step harder on his foot next time.
Just judging by Dancing's track record, you could probably guess that this season's walking wounded will include more than DeLay. Sure enough, nimble Iron Chef America chairman Mark Dacascos, who's dancing with Lacey Schwimmer, bruised the sole of his foot while demonstrating his martial-arts mastery to his partner.
Let's keep our eyes on the disco ball, guys.
________
Check out the rest of the celeb-pro pairings for the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars, premiering Sept. 21.
Exclusive
Cheryl Burke Won't Bring "Sex to the Dance Floor"
ABC/KELSEY MCNEAL
Cheryl Burke wasn't too thrilled when she first found out she was partnered with Tom DeLay for the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars.
"I was a little scared that I was going to get a grumpy old man," she admits.
She was happy to learn otherwise.
"He's a really nice guy and he's such a family man," Burke says. "He's just like a normal guy who was in politics. But this show isn't about politics, so hopefully they give him a chance."
No surprise, but the 62-year-old former Republican congressman from Texas is nothing like Burke's most recent partner, hunky Gilles Marini...
Dancing's Tom DeLay: He's No Gilles Marini, But...
http://www.gillesmarini-calendar.com; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
It's not every day I get to talk to Tom DeLay about his waistline.
But I did just that when the former Republican Congressman called me from Sugar Land, Texas, where he and Cheryl Burke have been rehearsing for his upcoming spin on season nine of Dancing With the Stars.
The 62-year-old ultraconservative politico said he's ready for some of the show's signature costumes.
"I lost 20 pounds, so I can wear the tight pants," DeLay boasted. "I've known I was going to do Dancing With the Stars for three months now, so the moment I agreed to do it, I started working out really hard and heavy."
However, he knows he can't exactly compete with Burke's last partner, Gilles Marini…
Dancing With the Stars Cast Unveiled: No Paula Abdul, but Tom DeLay Tapped
The Iceman, the Chairman, the Hammer and the Witch vs. the Puppy Lover?
This season of Dancing With the Stars could get intense.
After weeks of buzz and rumors, the ninth season's cast is no longer a mystery. Emmy-nominated host Tom Bergeron appeared on Good Morning America today to reveal the record number of stars who will face new restrictions, "ballroom bloodbath" double eliminations and still-inevitable injuries in the hopes of waltzing away with that mirrorball trophy.
Paula Abdul won't be there (she won't be on So You Think You Can Dance, either, if Mary Murphy gets her say), and neither will Hills hottie Audrina Patridge or grieving sister La Toya Jackson.
But who will be sashaying into prime time in a matter of weeks?
The Big Picture
All Growed Up Guess Zac has officially adopted the smoldering look, 'cause we haven't seen a smile in weeks
More PhotosMost Commented
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (916)
- Rob and Kristen "Relaxed" Together in NYC (673)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (650)
- Rob Flies Back to L.A. With Kristen (565)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (448)
- Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment—or His? (439)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (425)
- Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are (364)
- Bitch-Back! Is There Drama on the Gossip Girl Set? (345)
Top 10 Stories
- Dancing With the Stars: A New Winner Raises the Disco Ball
- J.Lo's Ex: There's "Maybe One Spanking," but I'm Not Selling a Sex Tape
- Nicole Richie Back in Her Own Bed
- GMA Doesn't Want Adam Lambert's Sloppy Seconds...Cue The Early Show!
- Goodbye or Good Riddance to Jon & Kate Plus 8?
- Oprah's Mom Settles Clothes Call Lawsuit
- Rihanna Sings Threesome, Avoids Going Naked on GMA
- Michael Lohan Runs Out of Family Members to Alienate, Starts Leaking Jon Gosselin Tapes
- It's a Sexy Job, but Adam Lambert's Gotta Do It!
- Donny Discovers Parts He Never Had Before for Dancing With the Stars Finale
Fashion Police
Sloppy SuitingGwyneth dares to experiment with hard-to-wear satin, but the result is dull and unpolished
More Photos
-
For the Love of Ray J, Which Is Apparently Considerable
Cashmere measures up ... but just barely more >> -
-
Thanksgiving Forecast: Not Even Turkey Can Spoil the Day
Death and destruction may abound elsewhere, but it's a Good Day L.A.! more >>
Fun & Games
Latest Movie Reviews
Shop
-
All New Shop E! Online New site, new stuff!
-
Chelsea Lately Coffee Mug Check out the new Chelsea Lately section at Shop E! Online for more
Get Your E! News Now
