Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Laurie Hernandez is
heading to “Dancing with the Stars,” and she is hoping to win over one
notoriously tough judge – Len Goodman.
“I’m gonna make Len Goodman smile. … We are going to
make Len Goodman smile,” Laurie said of one of her goals with pro partner Val
Chmerkovskiy, in newly-released “DWTS” clips provided by ABC.
The 16-year-old athlete revealed she’s been in touch with a
previous mirrorball champ – two-time “DWTS” competitor Shawn Johnson,
who won Season 8 with Mark Ballas, and came in second with Derek Hough during
the All-Stars season.
PHOTOS: ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 23: The Celebs & Their Partners
“I have spoken a little bit to Shawn. Basically, her and also Aly [Raisman, one of the Final Five, who was paired with Mark Ballas during ‘DWTS’ Season 16] told me just to be aware that my calves and my shins are going to get pretty tired from dancing in heels,” Laurie said in the clip. “I’ve worn heels two times in my life and that was the past two days, so I’ve got to work on dancing in those. But, it’ll be good. I’m ready.”
Having taken home gold in Rio with the Final Five, up next for Laurie is embracing ballroom dancing fully.
WATCH: ‘DWTS’: Terra Jolé & Sasha Farber On The New Season
“I think I’m most excited to learn and understand dances and to basically transform myself into different characters every week and to basically become like one with the dances. I’m just excited. I mean, I love to dance so this is like a whole new chapter of my life that I’m ready to just pursue and look forward to,” she said.
Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and returned-pro Cheryl Burke shared their thoughts on being partnered together in Season 23 in the new “DWTS” interview clips.
“When I first saw her, I was like, ‘Yes!'” Ryan said of his reaction to finding out Cheryl is his partner. “I know that she’s a great dancer and she’s going to be a good teacher and I hope I don’t let her down.”
Cheryl has won the mirrorball two times – in Season 1 with Drew Lachey and with former football player Emmitt Smith in Season 3. She also came in second in Season 8 with actor Gilles Marini, and second again in Season 13 with reality star Rob Kardashian.
READ: Mark Ballas Addresses ‘Dancing’ Season 23 Absence
“This is the first time I’ve ever had an Olympian swimmer,” Cheryl said in the “DWTS” clip of being partnered with Lochte. “This is going to be my 19th season. I took three seasons off, so I’m really excited to be partnered with Ryan.”
“Dancing with the Stars” Season 23 begins September 12 at 8/7c on ABC.
— Jolie Lash
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