Jenna Johnsonis back for her fifth season as a pro dancer onDancing with the Stars— and is partnered withQueer Eye‘sKaramo Brown. Every week, Jenna will give readers an inside look at their journey thus far: the challenges, the laughs they share and what it’s going to take to win!
When I heard the cast that was going to be onDWTS, I was obviously so excited to just meet Karamo and that he was going to be on the show because I’m obsessed withQueer Eye. So when I was meeting all the guys in our cast, obviously there are some amazing males this season, but I REALLY wanted Karamo. When he walked in that first day and was standing there, I was just ecstatic, fangirling a little bit and just blushing because leading up to us meeting forGood Morning America, he was on a full campaign to get me as his partner. He was in the press, he was saying all these things about how amazing I would be as his partner and we hadn’t even met yet, and so I was really hoping I was going to get him.
Karamo Brown and Jenna Johnson.Courtesy Jenna Johnson
Karamo secretly DM’dAdam Rippon, “I hope with all my heart that I get Jenna as my partner this season,” and Adam screenshotted it and sent to me like any great best friend would do, which made me super giddy leading up to the reveal because I was just hoping my dreams were going to come true – and they did. I could not be more excited to be on this journey with him. This whole “keep a secret who your partner is” has been the worst thing ever because little do people know, I was hiding in Philadelphia for 14 days and THEN Karamo was shooting something in Maui, Hawaii and I followed along and we had the best time. We had rehearsals, but him andhis fiancéwould take me to dinner, we went to the pool one day, it was a lot of fun and really helped us bond right before the premiere. It was a great first time going to Hawaii onDWTS.
Day one of rehearsal was awesome. I feel like I just got to know him and see his personality – how bubbly and bright and full of life he is – and I really want to capture that throughout the season. Karamo is not a dancer, and I think everyone expects him to be because he’s so smooth, stylish and fun – but he’s never had dance training and it does not come naturally for him.
Jenna Johnson and Karamo Brown.Courtesy Jenna Johnson
We had to work really hard while he was also filming the last few weeks ofQueer Eye, so I was in Philadelphia with him (secretly) for two weeks rehearsing. He would come to the studio after working on set, and he would, of course, be so exhausted after a full day of work, but he would show up for me every day and try his hardest and I think the progression from day one to night one ofDancing With The Starswas immense. I’m so proud of what he was able to produce last tonight and I think it’s a great set up for us to work hard and really take what the judges said in their critiques and grow; this show is all about growth and I think he is going to soar this season.
Courtesy Jenna Johnson
I don’t think people fully understand how busy Karamo is, but we are flying three times this week in a matter of six days. We are really going to push, and I think if anything this first night will really inspire him. Often with the celebs there is so much anticipation leading up to the premiere, and once it happens, they see how fun it is but they also get this competitive nature about them and they really want to bring it and win it. I think if anything tonight just inspired him and ignited the fire that we’re going to work really hard and he wants to come back and do even better next week. And yes, we are going to give full hip action for Len. We’ll let the hips do the talking!
Dancing with the Starsairs Mondays (8 p.m. ET) on ABC.
source: people.com
