‘DWTS’: Ginger Zee Goes Inside Rehearsals Before Season 23 Semifinals
Five couples will battle it out tonight.
— -- The five remaining couples on “Dancing With the Stars” are preparing for tonight’s semifinals, and they’re planning a ballroom battle for their chance at the mirror ball trophy.
IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez, “Pretty Little Liars” actress Jana Kramer, former NFL player Calvin Johnson Jr. and reality TV star Terra Jolé will each perform two dances tonight, including a trio routine featuring a second pro dancer.
Hernandez and pro partner Val Chmerkovskiy were practicing a foxtrot when Ginger Zee dropped by to observe the semifinalists rehearsing. Zee, ABC News’ chief meteorologist, was Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity partner during the show’s last season. They took third place.
Chmerkovskiy said he wants Hernandez to excel.
“We’re almost there, I want her to win, I want her to lift up that trophy and be proud of herself,” he said.
Jolé was preparing a rumba. The reality TV star joined the competition just three weeks after giving birth.
“I would not be here if it wasn’t for Sasha,” she said, referring to her pro partner, Sasha Farber.
Johnson will perform the tango and salsa tonight. Reflecting on his time on the show, he told Zee: “You know it feels like I’m halfway through a football season right now. It’s a lot more movement and practicing and time on the dance floor than I anticipated.”