The excitement surrounding the Dancing With the Stars Season 24 premiere was incredible, and I am so grateful for everyone who tuned in and continues to support DWTS! Kicking off the season and getting back onto the ballroom floor with my partner, Chris, to dance the Cha Cha to “What is Love” was a thrill.
However, what many viewers don’t realize is that the journey to the dazzling premiere night is paved with intense dedication and hard work, both from the celebrities and the professional dancers. It’s crucial to understand the sheer effort involved in the entire process of the show. So, I’m excited to pull back the curtain and offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into the weeks leading up to the big DWTS premiere!
Rehearse, Rehearse, and Rehearse Again
In the two weeks leading up to the premiere of Dancing With the Stars, Chris and I were in rehearsals for about 5-6 hours each day, without fail. It sounds extreme, but our main objective is to ensure that when our celebrities step onto the stage for the live performance, the steps become second nature. The live show environment can be overwhelming, especially with the bright lights and numerous cameras. Therefore, we prioritize making them feel as comfortable as possible. This extensive rehearsal time is dedicated to embedding the routine into muscle memory. We want the celebrities to be able to perform their routines instinctively, without consciously thinking about the choreography, particularly when the first dance jitters begin to set in. Muscle memory is absolutely key to a successful premiere night performance!
Camera Blocking: Perfecting Every Angle
The day before the live Dancing With The Stars Premiere is specifically allocated to camera blocking, which, unsurprisingly, involves even more rehearsing! Camera blocking is incredibly vital. It ensures that Chris and I, along with all the props and staging elements incorporated into our performance, are precisely positioned for all the different camera angles. This process is also immensely beneficial for the celebrities as it gives them a tangible preview of what the actual show day will be like and helps them understand their positioning on the dance floor from the camera’s perspective.
My call time on premiere morning was at 7 am, so after camera blocking wrapped up, Chris and I squeezed in a couple more rehearsal sessions before heading home for an early night’s sleep!
I woke up on premiere day feeling incredibly excited and energized for the long day ahead! Following a full hair and makeup glam session (tutorial coming soon!), Chris and I proceeded to our final dress rehearsal before the live Dancing With the Stars performance. One of the props for our Cha Cha was a large disco ball with moving lights. Chris found it quite disorienting, as it created the sensation that the floor was moving. I had to constantly remind him to keep his focus up and not look down!
After a few more run-throughs and some words of encouragement, Chris’s confidence soared, and he became visibly excited for the live show. I was incredibly proud to witness his transformation into someone genuinely enthusiastic and ready to enjoy himself on the dance floor. When it was time for the live Dancing With the Stars premiere performance, Chris truly excelled and delivered his best performance of the routine yet! While the judges’ critiques were somewhat critical for the first week, it was clear that everyone enjoyed watching Chris dance, and his personality definitely shone through. Moving into next week, my focus is on refining technique and ensuring we maximize the fun factor.
If you missed Chris and my Cha Cha performance from Monday night’s Dancing With the Stars premiere, be sure to check out the clip below! Stay tuned for another recap next week from DWTS! I hope you loved getting a peek behind the scenes and I’m excited to share my favorite moments from this season with you all!
Xoxo,
Witney
