DWTS Season 19: Serge Onik

We're back! It was so much fun to be back in studio with Anna Trebunskaya and Suri Serano after a long summer away. Jake DuPree will be back for our Sept. 30 show, but in the meantime, SYTYCD's Serge Onik is doing a great job at filling in.

I wasn't too sure about this season. I didn't love the contestants, but Monday night's show proved that we are going to have fun this season with some unexpected choices. I'm excited by the possibilities…

Next week: Serge is in for Jake and Elena Grinenko is our guest. If you heard me say new pro Keo Motsepe is on next week, that was my mistake. He will be on our Sept. 30 show. I read the email wrong and I clearly have no concept of time.

We are on at Wednesday at 5 p.m. next week on AfterBuzz TV.

Dance With Me Sherman Oaks Opening Night Party

Congratulations again to Maks Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani, Val Chmerkovskiy, Elena Grinenko and Rib Hillis for an incredible opening night party of Dance With Me Sherman Oaks. It's always nice to see the DWTS pros succeed in areas outside of the ABC show because they are sharing their love of dance.

I had been to the studio before when Elena and Rib had opened the studio back in March. I attended the party with my niece after a DWTS taping. Elena had briefly mentioned to me that they were thinking about partnering up with DWM late last spring. It's a really smart move since the brand is so strong.

The studio has been renovated (a lot done by Rib himself!) to get it ready for the official DWM launch. If you go in for a class, you will love the elegant chandeliers around the space. It creates a really lovely ambiance. 

Last night's party was packed and it was a hot night in the Valley, so the dancing out on the dance floor was even hotter and sweatier. I spent most of the night trying to touch base with as many pros as possible to see if we could connect and get them on AfterBuzz this season. I was buzzing around the room talking to Val, Louis, Peta, Henry, Sasha and Elena. I missed Maks and Artem, but I was glad to see some familiar faces supporting their new venture.

Some of the former and current contestants who stopped by included Leah Remini with her family in tow, Lea Thompson (who stuck by Artem most of the night--I mean, who wouldn't?!), Danica McKellar with her fiancé, Zendaya with her dad and Victor Ortiz. I run into Victor at least once a month and I have to say he is one of the most gracious and kind people I have ever met. He introduced me to boxer Diego Magdaleno and he kept bragging about his friend's upcoming world championship fight. 

I should have a few #15SecondDanceScoops for you this week, so make sure you are following my Instagram account: TheKristynBurtt.

For more photos from the evening, check out my Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages. 

See you all on Wednesday for our first episode of Season 19 DWTS on AfterBuzz TV at 5 p.m. PST.

DWTS Season 18: Elena Grinenko, Part 2

Second to last show of the season and it was a wild one. I think we all agree Meryl will win that Mirror Ball Trophy and I won't be upset about it. She had an incredible season. I felt more connected to Amy's journey, but she's going on to great things so I am not worried about her. I know I put James in second place. I don't think I really believe that's how it will play out, it's just me making a ridiculous prediction for a ridiculous season when it comes to manipulation and scoring.

A big thanks for Elena Grinenko for stepping in at the last minute when Lindsay Arnold couldn't make it. Grinya always offers a insider's perspective on Meryl, Charlie and Maks that we would never have otherwise. 

Who is going to win that MBT? Let me know in the comments below!

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.