Just when it seems there's nothing left to uncover about the 20th season of Dancing With the Stars—bam!—you unlock a vault full of information that's as untouched as Riker's hair during rehearsal days. (We say that with love, Riker!) That was the case on the red carpet and panel at DWTS: Paley Live at the Paley Center for Media. Read on for all the scoop!
Robert and Kym K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Earlier this week, Us Weekly published paparazzi photos of Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson kissing on vacation in Palm Springs, California. Of course, we had many questions (Was this the "exotic vacation" Kym and Robert exclusively told us about? Will the photo proof finally get #TeamSharkaroo to admit they're an item?). Like the pro she is, Kym (sans Robert) didn't shy away from answering. "We were surprised as well [about the photos]!" revealed an amused Kym. "Robert and I had the best time this season, and we love spending time together." When asked if this was "exotic vacation" they told us about, Kym said it wasn't. "[Palm Springs] was a spontaneous little getaway."
Kym and Robert were supposed to fly to Chicago after their media trip to New York City. Unfortunately, Kym didn't accompany Robert to Chicago as planned because "I had pro rehearsals back in L.A." So did Palm Springs make up for her absence in Chicago? "Yes," the Australian pro told us through giggles.
Meanwhile, remember when we told you that Robert was huddled with Kym backstage at DWTS earlier this week? Well, it was most likely because Kym had just suffered a partial tear in her hamstring while dancing with Keo during the show. "I just ripped it," she revealed. "I can stand in heels [now], but I'm trying to rest it and have physical therapy." As painful as it sounds, Kym doesn't expect it to prevent her from dancing with Robert again on Tuesday's finale. "We're rehearsing on Saturday, so I think I'll just modify some of those moves, and we'll be careful with it. I go the whole season, and then at the very end I get an injury! But at least it was at the end." And now that we're at the end, where does season 20 rate for Kym? "It was my favorite. It really was."
Dancing With Kerry Washington
Tony Dovolani just flew back from New York City, where he danced onstage with How to Get Away With Murder's Viola Davis as part of ABC's upfront presentation to advertisers. "That was just awesome," Tony gushed. Even more awesome? "I got to dance with Kerry Washington too! She pointed at me from across the stage, and we started dancing toward each other!" So Tony, did you try to convince Shonda Rhimes' leading ladies to come on board the DWTS train? "Well, I was talking to Ellen Pompeo from Grey's Anatomy and am trying to convince her to do it! I'd take any of the ABC family!"
Finale-Night Secrets
Monday night's show will feature the freestyle dances and a repeat dance that the judges choose, but it's Tuesday's ultimate finale that will have everyone talking. Alfonso Ribeiro exclusively told us that he and Sadie Robertson will be dancing together on Tuesday night. "She flies in on Sunday night, and we'll be rehearsing 24/7 until then! It's being choreographed as we speak." In fact, not only are they dancing together, but whenever Sadie visits L.A. she stays with Alfonso and his wife!
What else can we expect on Tuesday night? According to executive producer Rob Wade, a performance from Jason Derulo, as well as Noah Galloway, Amy Purdy, and Derek Hough doing a number together.
Who Will Win?
On the carpet, everyone from Bruno Tonioli to Candace Cameron Bure made a case for each of the remaining three celebrities. It was a different story inside the Paley Center, as moderator George Pennacchio of ABC7 Los Angeles had the audience cheer for who they wanted to dance off with the Mirrorball trophy. The loudest applause went to Rumer and Val, followed only slightly by Riker and Allison, and then Noah and Sharna. But it was Bruno who said it best: "You can't complain if you don't vote!"
Alfonso the All Star
Sure, he was in a lot of pain once the finale rolled around, but if you ask Alfonso Ribeiro if he'd compete on DWTS again, the answer is a resounding yes. "If they ever have an all-star season again, I'd be like, 'Sign me up! I'm in!' I had such a blast dancing on that stage, in front of that audience, with Witney. I love it."
It's hard to imagine anyone saying no to Alfonso, especially EP Rob Wade, who told us in our DWTS secrets story that "the Carlton" was the performance he loved the most. Alfonso's reaction when we told him that? "It really is special [to hear that]. It's something where I have through the years learned to appreciate that dance and that character. The greatest part of it now is that I'm capable of loving [Carlton] now too. Knowing and hearing [from Rob] that was the dance he loved most in the show's history, it's an honor. It really is. It's a super honor."
The Biggest Shocker
Bruno Tonioli was the only judge on the DWTS Paley Live panel, so when we asked him which eliminated contestant's premature exit from the past 20 seasons shocked him the most, he didn't hesitate for a moment. "Willow [Shields]! I cannot believe. That was really...the way that girl improved and how amazing she was. And Mark [Ballas]! The numbers and the creativity were just astonishing. I thought for sure she was going to make the finals. We were all like, What?!'"
Let D.J. Dance!
Candace Cameron Bure is one of the biggest DWTS supporters the show has ever seen from a past contestant, so many of you were surprised that she wasn't asked to dance in the 10th Anniversary Special. In the show's defense, there was no way to include everyone in an hour-long show, but considering that Candace made it to the finals and how relevant she is (especially now, with Fuller House), she should have been included. "I love sitting in the audience, but if [the producers] asked me," she told us, "I could not refuse the challenge. I was actually a little bummed out when I went back for that anniversary show." In fact, without naming names, several former celebs told me they would have loved the opportunity to dance again, which Candace confirmed. "I think a lot of people would have wanted to have been a part of it," she admitted, "but I'm glad at least they included me in the interview portion."
By the way, look for Candace's new book, called Dancing Through Life: Steps of Courage and Conviction, later this summer.
Panel Fun Facts
Tony Dovolani on Bruno: "Most of us have no idea what he's saying [when he's critiquing us], but we just smile and laugh!"
Tony on meeting his celeb partner for the first time: "I pray! [Laughs] I'm usually very happy. You try to find out their strengths and their weakness. I've had partners from every walk of life. I do go to my therapist right after the show."
When Kym Johnson was asked to join the U.S. version of DWTS (she had only been in the Australian version prior), she assumed big stars like "George Clooney or Brad Pitt would sign up." Um, we like that idea too. "I get to the studio, and I was still thinking George Clooney or someone like that, but I walk in the door and there's Jerry Springer. I remember the first words he said to me were 'I'm sorry.' He was the sweetest."
EP Rob Wade on all those rehearsal cameras: "We film 24/7, we want celebs to get used to the cameras. Reality TV or unscripted TV at its best is because you see absolute raw vulnerability and emotion. It's like fishing. You wait and wait and wait [for a moment to happen]."
After eye-roll gate 2015, Erin Andrews used every opportunity on the panel to make a joke of her facial expressions, each time eliciting more laughs from the audience.
Erin also spoke eloquently about what her time on the show meant to her. "The reason Maksy and I worked so well was that I come from a world where there's all guys, and I can't take a lot of crap from anyone, really. When I first met Maks, I broke out in hives because he was so delicious. But I came from a world where you don't get bossed around. I did the show where I came out from a really horrible time with my stalker, and I committed to the show before that happened. [When it did happen] I said no, I don't want to be a part of [DWTS] because it would look like I did it for attention, but ESPN said 'No, do it because we want our girl back. We want to see her smile again.' That's another reason I think it worked so well, but Maks was really helping me with my confidence again. I was embarrassed nationally for something I didn't do, so to walk out in front of a live national audience...that show gave me my smile again. I missed it so much the first couple years without it. I also miss my stomach [abs]. I look at pictures and I'm like, God, that was really good!' [Laughs]"
On Erin's season of DWTS, Pamela Anderson sent every female contestant flowers prior to the first show. According to Erin, the card read, "Break a lash. Love, Pamela"
Think the producers catch every fight or bit of tension on air? Think again. During Alfonso's run, he admitted that whenever he or Witney would have an issue with each other, "We'd go outside and text it out [so our words wouldn't air!]" So Alfonso can not only dance like a pro, but he can evade the producers too. Sneaky!
The biggest laugh of the night came courtesy of Tony Dovolani when explaining how his partners are chosen for him: "It's whoever fails their psychiatric evaluation!"
Dancing with the Stars' two-night finale begins this Monday night, May 18, at 8 P.M. ET on ABC. Make sure to visit Glamour.com because we'll have part two of DWTS Secrets You Didn't Know that same day as well!
For more DWTS, check out what happened at the 10th Anniversary celebration!
