'DWTS' Pro Allison Holker Blogs About 'Switch-Up' Week
Switch-Up week on Dancing With the Stars can be fun, exciting, devastating, or stressful. This week can lead to some partnerships growing; others, well, might fall apart. It’s tough to be thrown into a new partnership halfway through a season just as you’re starting to get comfortable with your original partner. And by now, the celebrities are just getting into the flow and rhythm of how the show runs. So switching everything up can put a hiccup into that flow. As a pro myself, there are some partnerships I never want to be split up, and then on the other hand, some celebrities find something new and get better when they work with a new pro, and they can have a lot of growth. I think this season the switch up actually did that — it helped and gave some celebrities a big boost in their dancing. I think as a whole, everyone this week did a really great job.
I’m a proud momma watching all of my fellow pros out there. So I must say: Great job everyone — keep the good dances rollin’.
Best Dance of the Night: Sharna and Nyle
Nyle is still kicking butt and taking names. Not only is Nyle proving to everyone that you can do anything you put your mind to, but he’s doing it great! From moment one, of course, we were all impressed with his ability to dance without being able to hear the music, and his inspiring, humbling story, but what I’m loving the most is his improvement each week. He gets better every single week. You can feel his energy through the screen — he is a fighter, a lover, and an even better student. Team Nyle all day!
Favorite Dance of the Night: Mark and Ginger
Mark Ballas has always been one of my favorite choreographers. He has a very creative way of using his partners’ strengths and applying those strengths to his dances. He allows their personalities to shine through the dance, and you as a viewer feel as though you know his partners better after seeing his dances. And that is exactly what he did with Switch-Up week. He was partnered with bubbly Ginger Zee, and they performed a fun, energetic salsa that lit up the ballroom floor. It was fiery, sexy, and exciting, which is just how I feel about Ginger. This was a great partnership, and I hope to see more of this side of Ginger moving forward each week.
Most Improvement: Val and Jodie
Val really took Jodie to a whole new level. This girl can dance — and I want to see more. She is a woman here to make a statement, and she is making her mark on the dance floor. I loved the lighting, costumes and production, but more importantly, Jodie looked powerful and confident out there with Val. He really strengthened her core and technique; Jodie looked fine-tuned. Val can be a very strict teacher, and with Jodie, you saw the results of that tough love. It was sharp and precise, and you could really feel their connection and trust. This is a coupling that I wish I could see stay together. I do love Keo. I just loved Jodie and Val as a team, and would love to see this matchup again.
Love sharing my thoughts with all of you. Hope you enjoy!
Read more from Allison on her website.
Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
