Dancing With the Stars: J.R. Martinez & Ricky Lake Jump, Jive and Wail Ahead

With magnetism and charisma, J.R. Martínez and Karina Smirnoff delivered an energetic and entertaining jive performance on the second week of DWTS Monday night.

DWTS judge Bruno Tonioli declared Martínez and Smirnoff's number as "the most satisfying overall performance of the night."

Last week, fellow judge Len Goodman told Martínez he gave one “the best performances of the night.”

"It was a great dance," Goodman told Martínez Monday evening clearly satisfied with his moves once again.

With funky suspenders, hops and swings right on cue, Martínez and Smirnoff took over the ballroom, never shying away smiles proving they got what it takes on the dance floor.

Tonioli added his thoughts on Martínez being a natural dancer. He congratulated the army vet turned actor.

"J.R., you're born to dance!" Tonioli said excitedly. "Right on it, all the way through!"

Dance extraordinaire, Carie Ann Inaba fully agreed with Tonioli.

"It was great, it was fantastic," said Inaba. "That was fun."

Former talk show host Ricky Lake, who last week admitted she has a hard crush on Martínez, went head-to-head with the Salvadorian for the top score.

“You're the first person tonight who did the flicks and kicks correctly,” Tonioli told Lake.

Lake, 43, appeared to be having fun and was told by Inaba that she had the "best jive of the night.”

DWTS is a weekly dance competition and reality show where celebrities are paired up with professional dancers and compete for the opportunity to win the coveted disco ball shaped trophy.

Past winners, such as Nicole Scherzinger from the X Factor, Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson and singer Donny Osmond, have taken their careers to the next level after winning the DWTS championship.



Source Alexandra Gratereaux

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Posted in Bruno Tonioli , dancing with the stars 2011 , J.R. Martinez , Karina Smirnoff

Dancing With The Stars: J.R. Martinez Waltzes to the Top

J.R. Martínez waltzed his way into the judges hearts as he owned the ballroom with partner Karina Smirnoff on the 13th season premiere of Dancing with the Stars Monday night.

The show kicked off at 7pm on ABC, from Los Angeles, Calif.

With swift moves and confidence Martínez swayed Smirnoff to and fro putting the former Army veteran and his partner in the lead as one of the top contenders striving to win the coveted Mirror Ball trophy.

"For me J.R. Stands for "Just Right" said DWTS judge Len Goodman. “The best performances of the night, you were right up there."

Goodman’s fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba agreed.

"[You were] right on top tonight, Tonioli said. "I can't wait to see the Latin, because you did very, very well in the waltz.”

“You're able to bring emotional quality to your dance,” added Inaba. “"I was absolutely touched by your performance.”

Martínez, a former infantry man who in Iraq suffered severe burns while on deployment, endured 32 surgeries in 34 months. He is known for his acting skills on the popular soap opera All My Children.

The couple closed the night with a 22 point lead and are tied with competitors Chynna Phillips and Tony Dovolani's whose waltz also caught the judges’ eyes.

Other notable contestants include Chaz Bono, formerly known as Chastity Bono—the first transsexual contestant of the show.

Bono impressed the judges, especially Goodman with his “good footwork” and “right attitude.”
Cher’s son and dance partner earned a solid 17 points for strutting their stuff with a good attitude

“I had no idea you were so cuddly and cute,” Tonioli wailed. “I think people have been waiting all night to see you, Chaz,” Inaba said. “You did not disappoint!"

Source Alexandra Gratereaux

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Posted in Bruno Tonioli , Carrie Ann Inaba , Chaz Bono , Dancing With the Stars , J.R. Martínez , Karina Smirnoff