DWTS Season 18: Elena Grinenko

I knew Elena Grinenko was going to be a great guest since she had been a pro on the show during Seasons 3 and 4 plus she had worked with Charlie White and Meryl Davis. However, she was really good when it came to her constructive criticism and insight. She made me think more about what the pros go through in the rehearsal studio and where the show has evolved in terms of breaking rules and choreography.

Here is the link to her new studio: LA Ballroom Studio which opens officially next Monday, March 31.

I was super frustrated at the treatment Henry Byalikov and Diana Nyad received this week since they just deserved better. I don't care that it was week one and they were the first to go. Every contestant should have the same opportunity to dance and receive their proper scores. There were so many other controversies this week that we touched upon, but this one irked me the most.

If you missed the show, you can watch it below.

Let me know which controversy bugged you the most this week. Hit me up in the comments below.

DWTS Season 18: Gleb Savchenko

What a show! Everyone was hyped up with enthusiasm that I had to quiet the crowds a bit so we could get through 12 dances, new baby, new hosts, smaller band, skybox back, judges' table, voting procedures, etc. It was a lot of material for a 50-minute show.

It will get easier as the weeks go on, but we are thrilled to have Julz Tocker joining us this season. A big thanks to Gleb Savchenko for adding his "I loved it!" commentary from the couch. First elimination next week…do you agree with our predictions? 

Let me know in the comments below!

Best of Japan Week: Takumi Japan's Works of Artistry

Sponsored Post

At Japan Week last weekend, Takumi Japan was on hand to share some unique products from Japan's small businesses and artisans. The presence of the company at the event showcased the spirit of monozukuri which means to "make things" in Japanese. It was an opportunity for attendees to be exposed to the rich history of Japanese artists to the rest of the world.

Japan Week is an annual event that promotes the country as a premiere travel destination. This year's event was held in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station in New York City from March 6-8. The program offered visitors an opportunity to get a closer look at the culture of the country and hopefully, inspire them to travel to Japan to experience it firsthand. From food to cuisine, the event showcased the best Japan has to offer from the last 100 years to the present.

The crowds took in a 100-year-old Taisho-themed bar, an early 20th-century Japanese cafe, with servers dressed in traditional garb while sampling sake from different regions of the country. There was also a virtual reality theater that provided an immersive experience of Japan's history. It truly was a celebration of the old and the new about a country filled with a rich culture and heritage.

As one of the exhibitors participating in the third annual event, Takumi Japan made sure to bring in some of the most gorgeous pieces that were created with "the finest of technologies and meticulous attention to details."

On display in the Takumi Japan booth were hand-crafted glass, metal and wood, beautiful fabrics, and other works of artistry to introduce Japanese traditions, techniques, designs, flavors, local qualities and other characteristics unique to Japan. The attendees clamored to the booth to get a look at the exquisite items brought to the event.

If you missed the exciting program, you can check out some of the incredible items the company offers on their comprehensive website. From stunning items for kitchen and table decor to rich fashions and textiles, Takumi Japan curates some of the finest artisan pieces for your home and lifestyle.


Disclosure: I was compensated for this post.

3 Reasons Why I'm Shutting Down DWTS Ringer Talk

We are less than a week away from the Season 18 premiere of Dancing With the Stars and the ringer talk has begun. My Twitter feed exploded with questions after PureDWTS wrote an insightful article about Danica McKellar's past ballroom experience. They took the time to dig up extensive evidence of her training where she looks good out on that dance floor. Danica is also seen in her latest ABC video acting a little naive when it comes to being led around the ballroom.

Remember, we are in Season 18 of the show and even Conrad Green, producer of DWTS, has admitted it's harder to cast the show at this point. So fair or not regarding Danica's very specific ballroom training, I go back to these three reasons why I'm just shutting down the ringer talk.

1. It's Exhausting: We've discussed it ad nauseum some seasons on AfterBuzz TV.  I think we wind up talking circles around the topic and we get nowhere. If you look back at Season 16 and the whole Zendaya debate, the argument reached a fever pitch with everyone taking sides. In the end, Zendaya didn't win.

2. It's a TV show: ABC is trying to deliver an entertaining show each week. They bring on celebrities with many different levels of dance training to draw an audience. Last season, we had a mix of trained dancers like Corbin Bleu, natural movers like Jack Osbourne and Amber Riley and lovable personalities like Bill Engvall in the Final Four. Again, the best-trained dancer did not win.

3. It Comes Down to that Freestyle Dance: When it comes to final votes for the average audience member, they vote on the Freestyle Dance. The best dancer may have worked hard all season and been at the top of the leaderboard most weeks, but if that Freestyle Dance doesn't deliver…they don't go home with the Mirror Ball Trophy.

I know you won't all agree with me on this, so help me see the flip side of the coin. Feel free to comment below. I will respond to all comments here, but I won't be able to respond to comments on Twitter. There are so many of you on Twitter and it's impossible to do without annoying my other followers who aren't DWTS fans. As always, please be respectful of others and their opinions. Thanks!

DWTS Season 18 on AfterBuzz TV

We are almost back for the next season and we do have a few changes to announce. I know many of you on the East Coast hated how late we were on. We heard you and the show will be at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET live on AfterBuzz TV. I hope this makes it easier for you to watch us live this season.

We also have a host change for Season 18 only. Jake DuPree is unable to join us for Season 18 due to a scheduling conflict. He will be back for Season 19 because we all love him so much on our team. Filling in for Jake this season will be a face many of you are familiar with…Julz Tocker! He has graciously decided to step in and help us out. Suri Serano and Anna Trebunskaya will be back, so while we will miss Jake, Julz will add a lot of insight to our team. Make sure to give Julz a big AfterBuzz TV welcome!

Our first guest will be announced soon. You can always keep checking the DWTS Guest Page for more information. UPDATE: First guest is announced!

DWTS Season 18: The Switch Up

Okay, I'm officially confused. When they announced the partner switch on GMA this morning, there was very little explanation. In the official ABC press release, we got this:

When I read the statement, it sounded like it was a permanent switch at some point in the season. Then a very reliable source, The Hollywood Reporter, came up with this:

So ABC offers up no time frame while THR offers up one week. Which one is it? Well, I went straight to the source to ask the question.

ABC spokesperson Kristen Anders replied, "There is no official quote other than what's on the press release (which is up on abcmedianet.com). We haven't released any other details, it will be announced in show. Thanks!"

So the answer is that there is no official answer…yet. It's going to be up to Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews to give us the inside scoop at some point in the season.

What do you think of The Switch Up? Let me know in the comments below.

Photo credit: DWTS/ABC/Instagram

Who Am I Wearing?: 2014 Oscars Edition

Dress: Adrianna Papell (c/o Pistol and Stamen)
Shoes:  ℅ EMMETT 
Clutch: ℅ EMMETT

Hair: Lisa Prova Hair/Lukaro Salon
Makeup: Daniel Blaystock
Nail Color: OPI Next Stop…The Bikini Zone (mani) OPI Gwen Stefani Love, Angel, Music & Baby (pedi)
Airbrush Tan: The Body Bakery

Jewelry: Nordstrom
Bracelet: Nadri
Earrings: Nina
Rings: Ariella Collection

Stylist: Roni B.
ronit.binshtock@nordstrom.com

Please read this amazing article form MyNewsHub about my outfit. It takes a village and I owe everyone a big THANK YOU for helping me look my best at the Oscars: Roni, Lisa, Daniel and Zul.

 Photos courtesy of Tyrone Roberts: B Natural Photography