She’s gotten down and dirty with the queen of pop,
Madonna. She’s broken a sweat next to Jennifer Lopez as a Fly Girl on “In
Living Color.” And she’s even managed to entice Mike Myers as a Japanese
schoolgirl in Austin Powers in Goldmember. But we know her best as a member of
the engaging judging trio on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Dancer/choreographer/actress
Carrie Ann Inaba
took a break from preparations for the show’s highly anticipated finale
tonight, to answer our questions about this season, the finale and her
own moves
in the near future.
East West: Which celebrity surprised you the most this
season?
Carrie Ann: Apolo Anton Ohno really surprised me. From
week two of the competition, I called him the surprise of the season...He's a
quick study and is so diligent and meticulous in his approach to his
dancing. I respect his attention to the details of the dances and their
specific styles. He is also quite vibrant when he dances and brings a youthful
enthusiasm to his performances.
East West: Who has the best technique of the remaining
stars?
Carrie Ann: Apolo. He's really focused on the details
and has done a great job of mastering most of them.
East West: If he or she wanted to pursue it, which celebrity
would have the best shot of becoming a professional dancer?
Carrie Ann: I would have to say Joey is the most naturally
equipped to become a dancer. He's quite incredible and flexible.
East West: Do you think the judges, as a whole, have been
particularly hard on any of the stars, maybe setting the bar too high from the
start?
Carrie Ann: We were a bit tough on Ian because he wasn't
opening up. This competition is about people letting go, trying something
new and taking risks. It is not about being so calculating and
contrived. In dance that approach doesn't work well. You have to
really let go and push your boundaries, honestly. If not, it is
apparent. Ian had a problem with that. But he’s a nice guy, and I
think he worked very hard and should be proud of his efforts!
East West: What’s
your favorite dance from this season?
Carrie Ann: This season, my favorite dance was Joey's foxtrot. It
was filled with so many layers of performance and nuances from an era I
love. It was modern and classic all at once. He is charming as a
performer and brings a natural ease with him every time he sets foot on the
dance floor. He knows how to bring joy into his dancing and he also brings
a lot of showmanship. His movement vocabulary is huge.
East West: Is there a backstage secret you can share with
us? Anything?
Carrie Ann: The judges like to sing a lot backstage in our
own little area. Len and I yell out "BANANA" before the show starts
to lift our spirits...
East West: Really? Funny.
OK, down to business. When it is all said and done on
Tuesday, who do you think will go home as the winner?
Carrie Ann: I don't make predictions. It's not fair to
do that. I really think this year it could be anyone's game. Apolo
and Joey have a great shot. But wouldn't it be great if a strong,
confident woman like Laila won? I'd be happy with any one of the final
three.
East West: Are we going to see you on the dance floor
anytime soon, maybe on a results show next season?
Carrie Ann: You'll see me dancing again. Probably not
on the show but somewhere, soon, there will be something...I just can't talk
about it yet. But it's coming!
East West: Is it coming this summer?
Carrie Ann: I do have a lot coming up this summer. I
turned down directing the DWTS Summer Tour, so I could take some time off and
spend some quality time with my boyfriend and start decorating my new
home. I just bought a new home, and I'd really like to take some time to
enjoy it! I love the summer.
I also have some things coming up in June that will take me
through the summer. I can't let the cat out of the bag just yet, but if
people would like to know what's going on, they can check my Web site. We’ll
be doing an overhaul on it and it will soon list all the projects I have up my
sleeve.
I can say this: There is something coming up where I
will be singing and dancing (I'm so excited about this!!!!)...and I would love
to have you all come and check it out. So, as we say in TV, stay
tuned! But for the next two weeks, I'll be in my backyard, enjoying
my summer!
