DWTS Season 18, Week 5: My Thoughts

I am so sorry to have missed Disney Week on DWTS. As an avid Disney fan, I thought this was one of the best-executed shows from the costumes to the props, it was fun. Since I missed the AfterBuzz show this week because I was in New York for Hyundai's live 2015 Sonata launch (See photos here and here.), I thought I would give a few short thoughts on this week's show.

Opening Number: Mandy Moore did what she does best…use the space and choreograph for the camera. I loved Mark, Derek and Val on the steps. Their trio was my favorite highlight from the opening number.

Drew/Cheryl: While this wasn't his cleanest week, I love that he throws himself into each dance. What I adore about this season is that the cast is really likable. Drew has been one of the biggest surprises for me. Count me as a fan! (And how cute was the pep talk Cheryl gave him before the dance began?)

Charlie/Sharna: I don't care that he dropped the cane — that was spectacular! I am rarely a fan of props on DWTS, but the cane choreography was divine with the footwork. Sharna is one of the best choreographers on that show and she proved it with that number. Congratulations to Charlie for keeping up with such challenging steps. (And hello…he did a bumper with penguins--YES!)

Photo via @JonyCalderon11 

Danica/Val: I think this was her breakthrough week. She needed to really step out and distinguish herself since it's a talented group and we are halfway through the season. Val is one of my favorite choreographers on the show and this Quickstep showed off his skills nicely. I had to watch this routine twice though because the plates (AKA Lindsay and Jenna) stole the show. 

Amy/Derek: Amy makes everything look so easy. This week, we learned how hard it really is for her. While she is primarily an athlete, she shines in her performance every week. This piece was beautiful in a very pretty and quiet way. 

Witney/Cody: While I wasn't surprised it was the end of the line for Cody after Kristin Hope did her awesome Facebook-ology research. (His dance with Sharna was the fans' least favorite during the Switch-Up.) He had a really good showing in the Samba though. I don't agree with Donny at all. Cody is 17, he's not going to have a cheesy Disney grin. He went out on a good note and Witney proved she is a total star. Great first year as a pro!

NeNe/Tony: This was the perfect character for her and I loved what this pair did out on the dance floor. As for the package, they are two strong personalities and things will get heated in the rehearsal room. If you saw their emotion after the dance, you know they really like each other. However, Tony needs to take a constructive comment and roll with it. Carrie Ann shared that Derek's work with Nene helped her out. Any elite athlete or performer will seek out an additional coach for a big performance/event. It's no different in this situation. It only helped their case out on the dance floor.

James/Peta: Hello, star lift! James has proven himself to be such a contender in a jam-packed fight for the Top 4. I'm not sure I would call this a perfect 10 performance, but it was darn close. (And hello…he needed a costume, it's Disney Week!)

Meryl/Maks: I am always wanting more from Meryl and I always go back to wanting Maks to add more content for Meryl. However, I'm starting to think that it's because Meryl makes everything look so darn easy. It's effortless and that's a hard quality to come by. It was a cute routine and I had no problem with Meryl's footwear in this situation…it gave her a barefoot look for the costume — I get it.

Candace/Mark:  I'm glad she had such a good week after being unfairly judged last week. I loved Mark as a crab! How did Donny not understand what he was doing with his hands? I have to say I am rooting for Candace. She's not going to be in the Top 4, but her positivity and her message that  you can be sexy and still covered up is kind of awesome. 

Prediction for Elimination: NeNe--I think that package will hurt her votes a bit even though the producers probably upped the drama on their little tiff. 

Amy Purdy Scoop: While I was in New York, I ran into the Toyota executive who was responsible for bringing Amy onto the Toyota sponsorship team. (I had seen him at the DWTS show I attended with my niece, but we didn't get a chance to chat.) He first saw her at the TED Talk back in 2011 and approached her after the speech. He is such a fan and Toyota is truly supportive of all of her endeavors. On the sly, he also told me, "That Peta girl is something, isn't she?" I had to laugh.

(Disclosure: I hosted a show for Toyota for five years.)

Let me know your thoughts on Disney Week in the comments below.

DWTS Season 18: Cody Simpson

I cannot believe I am even writing about Season 18 for Dancing With the Stars here on my blog since we just wrapped Season 17, but it looks like inquiries are starting to go out to some celebs. Cody Simpson started the rumor mill churning big time on Friday with a series of tweets:

so, I just received an offer to be on Dancing With The Stars in March. what do you all think? do you want to see me on TV every week?
— Cody Simpson (@CodySimpson) December 14, 2013

it's during the time I'll be in LA recording my next album, so it wouldn't prevent me from touring and seeing all of you. tweet me thoughts.
— Cody Simpson (@CodySimpson) December 14, 2013

wow, looks like you all think I should do this. definitely helps me when thinking about my decision. I'll let you know after the holidays.
— Cody Simpson (@CodySimpson) December 14, 2013

A few of you asked me who Cody was. Yes, he's part of the Disney chain. He actually comes from the Disney Radio side and did some mentoring work on Disney's Next Big Thing. I have interviewed him three or four times and he's a doll. He really blew up this year because he was the opening act for Justin Bieber. Yeah, no big deal.

Here are some of my Cody Simpson interviews:
Next Big Thing
Let It Shine premiere 
The Biggest Loser appearance

If Cody does decide to do the show, I'm thinking Witney Carson or Lindsay Arnold would be a great partner for him since they both fit into the right age demographic. Witney and Cody? Lindsay and Cody? Which one would you prefer?

What I can tell you is that Cody has a rabid fan base of teen girls. ABC would love to have him and it sounds like he wants to do it. It would also be a big "get" for the show.

Let me know what you think about Cody Simpson on DWTS in comments below. 

Photo courtesy of Mingle Media TV

Media Mondays

I feel like the weeks are whipping by in 2013, so I was grateful for a day and a half off this weekend.  This week starts an even bigger whirlwind as we trudge towards the last 20 days of awards season 2013...Nominees Luncheon, a commercial shoot, movie premiere, a trip out of town, and a desperate Oscars dress search.

Here are my media appearances from last week:

Dara on Radio:  I made a return appearance and chatted about the SAG Awards and what it means to the Oscars.  Right now, all eyes are on the Best Picture category.  Listen here.  (You can find the rest of my SAG Awards coverage here.)

Tom Barnard Podcast: All I have to say is "Dat Ass."  It's hilarious.  Start listening at the 13:00    mark. I promise you, it's worth it.

If you know about my Club 33 obsession, then you know I need to get into California Adventure's 1901 too.  

The Radio Dish: At the 20:30 mark, you can listen to the latest snark about Kim Kardashian and her butt. 

SheKnows: Some of my articles from last week. 

Cody Simpson: "I feel blessed"--If you have a teen in your house, then you know they will like my interview with him. 

Lindsay Lohan too sick to appear in court--Another day, another Lohan drama.

January Jones: "My hair is falling out in clumps"--Slow news day. 

My football strawberries!

Cocktails and Conversation:  It's the first Saturday of the month and we dished all about the BeyoncéBowl.  That's right, the Super Bowl is just a myth, it was a Beyoncé concert. I come in at the 23:00 mark. 

If you missed my awards show updates from last week, check them out here, here, and here.  I also gave out some DWTS dish, so click here.  

I'll be on Metro News Hotline with Dave Weekley today at 1:30pm PT/4:30pm ET.  Or join me at 6:35pm PT/9:35pm ET on Driving with Gass at KWSS.org for your Super Bowl and Oscar Nominees Luncheon update.

Disney Channel's 'Let It Shine' Premiere

On Tuesday night, I covered the red carpet for the premiere of Disney Channel's new original movie, Let It Shine.  The film stars Coco Jones, Tyler James Williams, and Trevor Jackson and it focuses on the message of staying true to yourself and following your dreams.  You are in for a treat as this film has a powerhouse cast with loads of talent.  Mark your calendars for the June 15th premiere on the Disney Channel.  Now, sit back and enjoy the photos and video interviews from the night....

This girl is a star: Coco Jones

 Ariel Winter of Modern Family is becoming one of my favorite young actresses to interview.  We saw her last at the Gracie Awards being her usual fashionable self.  

 Did you know I worked with Booboo and Fivel Stewart back in 2006 on a series called Blue Dolphin Kids?  Take a look, they were both so little. 

 The entire Simpson Family dressed in black and white in support of sister, Alli's, big hosting debut with Radio Disney.  It was nice to catch up with Cody since I haven't seen him since he mentored the N.B.T. semi-finalists last August.

 Zendaya looked beautiful in her orange dress on the red carpet. (She looks like she's ready to claw someone though....giggle.)  

 Oh, my niece loves Bradley Steven Perry from Good Luck, Charlie.  She got a shout out from him that I sent off to her yesterday. 

 Adam Irigoyen from Shake It Up had a fun little rivalry with Bradley Steven Perry going on during the premiere.  See the interview here. 

 One of my favorite Disney stars, Olivia Holt, from Kickin' It.  She is so sweet and lovely. Next to her is Kerris Dorsey from Moneyball.  If you haven't seen this film, add it to your Netflix queue now.  

To see more videos from the Let It Shine premiere from other Disney Channel stars like Zendaya, Alli Simpson, Trevor Jackson, and more, click here.  


As a reminder, these are all of my personal photos.  You are welcome to use them, but please give credit and link back to Red Carpet Closet.  Thank you!

Radio Disney's NBT Finals: We Have A Winner!

Me and Shealeigh after she won!

Wednesday night was the big night for the preteen set:  Radio Disney's Season 4 finals of Next Big Thing (NBT).  Disney has been an incredible studio for discovering and creating stars on their networks and the two finalists: Shealeigh and Zack Montana are no exceptions.  It was a close race to the finish with a powerhouse voice from a petite girl like Shealeigh and the smooth moves and choreography of Michael Jackson in Zack, but it was Shealeigh's big night.  It was fun to watch this journey and talk to the contestants throughout the process with Red Carpet Report.  To see Shealeigh's face when she won, it was that much sweeter even from my perspective.  Both Zack and Shealeigh will be stars in the Disney realm, so look for more of their work in the coming year.  Here are my interviews with Shealeigh and all of the Disney Channel stars you and your kids watch each day:  Bella Thorne, Debby Ryan, the cast of Jessie, A.N.T. Farm, Austin and Ally, Lab Rats, and more!

Bella Thorne from Shake It Up!

The interviews!

The very sweet Calum Worthy from Austin and Ally.

The Jessie cast is so much fun.  Debby Ryan is always a class act.

Right before they announce the big winner!

With season 4 contestant, Ladina Spencer.

Cody Simpson mentored contestants, Zack Montana and Shealeigh throughout the process.

Okay, admit it, you watch the Disney Channel too.  Who is your favorite Disney Channel star?  Let me know if the comments below and don't forget to come back on Monday for a Holiday Giveaway!

Photos courtesy of Mingle Media TV.

Radio Disney's 'Next Big Thing' with Cody Simpson

In August, I had the opportunity to interview some of the artists from Radio Disney's Next Big Thing (NBT) at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood for Red Carpet Report. We were ushered to the penthouse of the hotel on a hot summer day where Hollywood Ending and Shealeigh Daily were being coached by Australian pop singer, Cody Simpson. It was quite an exciting day for the artists since they had the opportunity to perform with Cody and I know they were just thrilled to be in Hollywood.  It was hard to keep all of the day's activities secret since the information was embargoed until now.  So, now that the secret is out, enjoy the photos and interviews!  Be sure to stay tuned to Radio Disney today for Cody Simpson's Jam Session with NBT's Season 4 contestants.

Read the comments on the YouTube page, Cody Simpson's fans LOVE him.....


I had a blast with Shealeigh and hello, look at those awesome yellow nails......

Her interview...


Okay, the Hollywood Ending fans are mad at me because I didn't let them all talk at once.  You try interviewing 5 guys at once.  It's hard work! Regardless, it was fun finding out who is the messiest, the bossiest, and the one who takes the longest to get ready.....

Their interview......


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All photos are property of Mingle Media TV.