Pure Derek Hough

Just a little bit from On the Red Carpet and Zap2it before I head off to work.

Zap2It on the week:

We asked Menounos and Hough about that controversial — and hot — moment. Hough says, “Last time I kissed her chin. Last time I failed basically so she gave me a chance to redeem myself.” Oh, he did! Anyone want to turn on the air conditioning?

The judges thought it went too far. Hough says, “No it’s funny because I am actually that guy, I’m the guy where it’s like don’t give it to us, like suggest it and I prefer that. But tonight it was like, it was just fun, we were like let’s just do it. The song was such a big build I’m like we have to do something, we can’t just do a dip, can’t just take the shirt off everybody does that, and she was like what if we just make out? I was like, ‘Uh okay!’”

Menounos had been plagued with injuries, but like we said earlier, the woman is a cylon. She’s not only danced through the pain, but she’s excelled at it. This week, she fell on her chin. Hough says, “That’s what happened. When she fell on her face earlier this week I was, I thought we were done. I thought she broke her nose, her teeth are on the floor, her ribs are all broken, she can’t breath and then luckily she was like oh, I’m okay.”

Still need pointers on how to vote?? Go back to my voting tutorial. We really need to step it up this week since they are starting the “dance duel” – we don’t want Maria to have to do a second dance on her poor feet, do we?? Get busy, people – make more accounts!!

Check out these great collages from Elara!! Keep clicking until you see the full size.

So far.  I believe my exact words on seeing this photo in the Daily Mail was “Holy Mary Mother!!!”  That’s some HOT stuff right there.

ETA: Found more pictures at Zimbio – click the link to see them all.

Interesting little article and accompanying video about using technology in rehearsing for DWTS. Go to USA Today to read the whole article.

Hough: “Because I’m choreographing the dance and I’m also in it, I need to see what we’re doing. I need a third eye. Using the iPhone or iPad to record is crucial. After I teach her the routines, I can view the video to see what I can’t see when I’m dancing with her, and e-mail her the video. I used to use a video camera, which now seems so old-fashioned, because the iPhone can do much more. It’s with me all the time, it’s high-definition, and I can e-mail directly from the device.”
Menounos watches the videos at the end of the night, while relaxing in an Epsom salt bath. “It’s a learning tool. I say, ‘Why did I bend that leg? The arm is supposed to be somewhere else.’ ”
The pair make frequent iPhone videos, which are posted online, aimed at getting viewers to vote to keep them in the Stars competition.

This is a nice little article from TV Guide.com. Click the link to read the whole thing.

What’s surprising about Menounos’ toughness is the fact that she’s never once suffered a physical injury. “I’ve never been injured in my entire freaking life!” she says. “That’s why this is so pathetic! I’ve wrestled in the WWE multiple times. I’ve played football with pro football players, hockey, basketball, everything, and I’ve never had an injury. And I play full out. I’m crazy.” Then her partner, Derek Hough, reminds her that this is one contact sport she’s never tried. “You’ve never danced,” he tells her. “And it’s no joke.” She nods, agreeing with him. “It’s no joke.”

A few weeks ago, I compiled a few interview questions for Derek and I asked around to see what others want to know.  I tried to cover all the bases – without getting personal! – and he’s answered the questions for us.  We’ll have to hope that he updates us when he can – I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m always wanting to hear more, more, more!  Thanks, Derek!

PDH: What do you think will be Maria’s strengths and weaknesses on the dancefloor?

Derek: Maria is fearless on the dance floor.  She’s up for anything and has really made a marked improvement early on in the competition.

PDH:  After 9 seasons on TV show like DWTS, what is it like to look back at your competition days? Was it harder or easier to be the student under Corky and Shirley as opposed to being the teacher?

Derek: I enjoy being a student and learning.  I don’t think you should ever stop being a student.  That’s where the most creative ideas come from.  Teaching is a blessing as well because I get to share what I’ve learned and my passion for creative movement with people.

PDH: Are you more or less competitive on DWTS than you were when you were dancing competitively out of London, or is it just too different to compare?

Derek: I’m generally a competitive person in life.  I want to be the best that I can be regardless of whether it’s a competition or a show.

PDH: You created some spectacular professional dances last season. For example, your dance with Allison Holker – amazing. Are the two of you planning something for the DWTS ballroom this season? From your tweets, it looks like you were working on something together.

Derek: You never know what I have up my sleeve!

PDH: Speaking of tweets, we know that you are creating some new music. Is a solo album in your future or other musical projects?

Derek: I like to keep my hand in the music arena.  I enjoy having multiple ways of expressing myself.  I’ve written music for my upcoming feature debut Cobu 3D.

PDH: We know you are a triple threat, if you could drop yourself into any current Broadway show, which would it be? Any plans in that direction??

Derek: I’m always open to the idea of doing Broadway or a stage show.

PDH: Your fans, and the fans of your costar BoA, are anxiously waiting to see Cobu 3D.  I’ve seen release dates for Europe and Asia discussed in various places. When can we see it in the U.S. and any chance you and BoA will do a dance on DWTS to promote it, like Julianne did for Footloose?

Derek: Release dates should be announced soon!

PDH: Do you want to do another movie, and if so – what genre interests you most?

Derek: I’d love to do more films.  I’d like to explore doing comedy.

PDH:  Same question regarding television – we thought you were a natural on “Better With You”.

Derek: Television is such a fast paced medium to work in and I’d love to do more.

PDH: What have you learned about Maria that surprised you, besides the cute laugh, and what do you think of your chances this season? We’ll be voting!!

Derek: I think that with Maria’s drive we have just as good a shot as anyone this season!

Voting has been open a few days and will remain open until April 17 – if you want Derek to win, you have to vote everyday as much as possible.  Luckily there is a long weekend coming up for some of you. You don’t even need to sign in with one of your accounts and there is no limit to voting. We’ve made a deal with Team Evanna that if we vote for Anna, they will vote for Derek. As I say every single season – by all means, vote for the female of your choice, I don’t want to tell anyone what to do. I just believe that we stand a better chance of winning as a team. DESIGN A DANCE!!!

Thanks to @TeamMariaDerek for tweeting this little gem from the Chicago Sun Times:

On the happier side of that equation, that very hot kiss Monday night between Maria Menounos and Derek Hough sparked immediate buzz about the duo being a couple — which the TV personality and pro dancer have been quick to squelch.

What is true: Menounos and Hough immediately “clicked,” according to a veteran “DWTS” staffer, who added, “I’ve never seen a celebrity and professional dancer hit it off as well as these two have — and from the moment they met!”

Another show insider put in his two cents: “That kiss just went with the overall sexiness of that rumba they performed [to ‘Material Girl’]. I think they even out-sexed

Thanks (again) to Elmari for the help today!

The UK’s Daily Mail has a rather silly story with some screen caps that you can click the link to see. I’ll do better screencaps later in the week.

Interview with OK! Magazine. Heh. Cute:

So, what hasn’t she done? Maria told reporters jumping out of a plane is still on her bucket list. Derek quickly responded, “What? You have not done that yet?” Apparently, he’s done it twice!
“Will you do it with me?” she asked him.
As for his response: “I’ll do it…on you…”

“What?”

Derek retorted, “Tandem jumping, guys!”

And so the sexual chemistry continues. As the rumor mill churns about whether or not they locked lips on the dance floor, Derek’s response is taken in stride. How exactly does he feel about the rumors? “It’s horrific!” he quipped. “I am just kidding.”

A little paparazzi video outside Hyde

Maria on Good Day LA – AWESOME interview. She talks about how amazing Derek is – we know, girl.

Maria Menounos Just Wants To Dance!!: MyFoxLA.com

X-17 has a bunch of photos of Derek, Karina and Mark at Hyde last night. I’ve put a couple below but be sure to follow the link to see them all.

@n_s_23_23 found a couple pictures of Derek and Karina, and Derek and Maria at Hyde last night

Part II is all thanks to Elmari who, heard my plea of MERCY, and compiled a list of things I might have missed due to have a real job.

Katherine tweeted a slightly different pic of her and Derek and Maria than what Derek tweeted:

OTRC Has a bunch of photos from the Rumba – I’ve put a couple below but click the link to see them all.

Here’s what they said about Maria and Derek’s dance:

Review of Maria & Derek’s Rumba: Things get steamy with Maria and Derek this week! The two danced a Rumba that is hands down the most sensuous Rumba of the show. Ever. Derek choreographed a dance to a much slowed down version of Madonna’s “Material Girl” and it can only be described as unique, sexy, sultry and hot. Maria’s personal story got a little lost… something about this being a song she danced around to as a kid. She did pay a nice tribute to her immigrant parents, who were janitors in Boston, and somehow tied in the Madonna song to going with them to work. No matter. She danced like a dream. (via @ontheredcarpet)

Derek and Maria talk to E! Online about “the kiss” heard round the world. Click the link to read the whole thing.

It’s only week three, but things are already heating up on Dancing With The Stars! The most talked about routine of the night belonged to Maria and Derek, whose alleged kiss got the whole audience buzzing! When we caught up with the pair after the show, Derek admitted there was a little unplanned lip-on-lip action!

“There was a little kiss,” Derek told us. “Whatever it was, it felt right.” Ahhh! Is this an official hot new couple alert?! Sorry to get your hopes up, but there won’t be any showmance between these two; turns out Maria’s laugh is getting in the way of anything going further than friends.

“Here’s the thing, in practice it’s like ‘Oh my gosh I think I’m feeling something for Maria,’” Derek told us. “Then she [laughs] and it’ s like ‘Oh, nevermind!’”

Maria copped to having a laugh that rivals a goat’s cackle and said it’s a good way to keep things professional. “Gotta keep it in check,” she said. “[We] need a balance or else it’d be dangerous.”

Afterbuzz on the Red Carpet – as usual, be sure to watch the whole thing because they sprinkle Menough throughout.

Derek posted a couple videos of him and Maria at Wrestlemania – someone teach him how to rotate video, please.