Dancing With the Stars

Helio Castroneves Still Hoping For Dancing Mirrorball Glory Despite Landing In Bottom 2

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  • Chelsie Hightower and Helio Castroneves pose during Week 2 of ‘Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars,’ Oct. 1, 2012

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    Chelsie Hightower and Helio Castroneves pose during Week 2 of ‘Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars,’ Oct. 1, 2012

FIRST PUBLISHED: October 4, 2012 3:09 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Helio Castroneves and Chelsie Hightower found themselves in the Bottom 2 on “Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars” on Tuesday night, a new experience for the former mirrorball champ.

“I’m like, ‘This is new for me,’” Helio said, recounting the near-elimination moment as he sat down for an interview, with his professional partner, Chelsie Hightower, on Thursday’s Access Hollywood Live. “And I [kept] looking [at] Chelsie, ‘Well, do I have to prepare a speech for going home?’ I wasn’t prepared for that in Week 2. It was kind of [frustrating] for us.”

Helio won “DWTS” Season 5 with then partner, Julianne Hough, and he remains hopeful that he can clinch the title this time around – and help Chelsie to her first mirrorball win.

“I have high hopes for her to give her a mirrorball trophy… but, we’re happy that at least we’re here to keep going,” he said.

Helio attributed his placement in the Bottom 2 (alongside Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson, who were sent home), to votes.

“It’s about voting here,” Helio said. “[With] the dance, I felt I really put a lot of effort in, a lot of [enthusiasm]. The knees, they told me to keep them high and now they said, ‘too high’ [when I performed on Monday night].”

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas were not in the Bottom 2, despite earning the lowest score from the judges – 18 out of 30 – on Monday and Helio said he thinks the reality star’s personality, combined with Mark’s celebrity factor, kept them in.

“It’s not only about celebrity, it’s also about the dancers, they became [celebrities] as well,” he said. “[Bristol is] a sweetheart she’s very dear and sometimes she’s a little shy, but I guess that’s what [keeps] people enjoying her.”

“DWTS” returns Monday at 8/7c on ABC.

-- Jolie Lash

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