Rick Perry On What He Takes Away From His Time On ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry leaves “Dancing with
the Stars” Season 23 with more than some new ballroom skills.

“I left a little earlier than what we wanted,
but, you know, I respect the process. So I’ll be watching now. They made a
‘Dancing with the Stars’ fan out of me,” Perry told Access
Hollywood’s Liz Hernandez after his elimination (alongside pro partner Emma
Slater) on Tuesday night.

“I made some friends that will last now for the rest of
my life, you know? Both the professional dancing side, some of the celebrities
who were on there,” he continued of what he takes away from the
competition. “I mean, I never thought that Rick Perry, the Governor of
Texas, and Vanilla Ice would ever kind of connect, but what I found is that Rob
Van Winkle is a really fine guy, and… we’ve struck up a friendship that will
last… I hope a long, long time until whatever next adventure [comes] after we
finish here on this Earth.”

WATCH: Rick Perry On His ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Elimination

Perry went on to praise the people he met through his “Dancing” experience.

“What a great group of individuals the celebrities were,” he said. “Laurie Hernandez is just an amazing talent and, you know, Ryan Lochte and what he’s been through and all of that. And Babyface — I mean, Kenny Edmonds is one of the nicest, sweetest people. Calvin Johnson [Jr.], Maureen McCormick … They were just some amazing people that I feel really blessed to be able to have had a relationship with — even for this short 30-day period of time.”

WATCH: Is Rick Perry Supporting Trump Or Clinton After The First Debate?

“Dancing with the Stars” continues Monday night at 8/7c on ABC.

Jolie Lash

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