Despite reports that there is tension behind the scenes of “Dancing with the Stars” aimed at frontrunner Jennifer Grey and professional partner Derek Hough, the pair said they haven’t had time to feel any ill will from their competitors.
“We’ve got enough to worry about. We really don’t see [anything],” Jennifer told Access Hollywood Live’s Kit Hoover.
Jennifer went on to note that she is cheering on her fellow celebs who are all competing in search of that coveted mirrorball trophy in Season 11.
“I’m totally rooting for everybody,” she said. “I just love watching the change each week. I love seeing them just kind of come into their own and find the dance that feels like it fits them and see them come out. It’s so beautiful.”
This week’s round of competition was the halfway point for the season, and although the competition has heated up with both Audrina Patridge and Brandy outseating Jennifer at the top of the leaderboard on different occasions, the former “Dirty Dancing” star said the other women aren’t the reason she wants to do well.
“I’m not motivated by that so much. I wish I were more so. Maybe it will happen,” Jennifer told Kit. “I’m still rooting for everybody and I’m always really hard on myself — wanting to be as good as I can be.”
“It’s more like the personal competition,” Derek chimed in.
“You know — when it feels good? That’s all I’m up for going for. I’m just like the pleasure seeker,” Jennifer added of what’s been motivating her in the competition. “I wanna feel good dancing, I wanna feel good coming off and if I don’t feel good? It’s just, that’s just like…”
“It’s a bummer,” Derek said, finishing Jennifer’s sentence.
As exemplified by them finishing each other’s sentences, the two are close.
“I’m really lucky,” Jennifer said of being paired with Derek, a two-time “DWTS” champ. “He’s a very good teacher.”
In fact, he’s such a good teacher – and Jennifer such a good worker in the studio – that she’s seen her body improve.
“Little tighter?” Kit asked of Jennifer’s figure.
“Yes, it’s quite tight,” she laughed. “It could use a little rest, but aside from that, it’s a happy body.”
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