Dancing with the Stars will never be the same Without Len Goodman.
The Chief Justice It was shockingly announced during Monday’s “Semi-Final” that Show season 31 of the dance competition – which ends next week – will be his last, as he retires to “spend more time” with his children and family.
“It made me feel, if I’m being honest. It caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting to feel as emotional as I was,” Professional dancer Emma Slaterfrom the UK as Goodman, she told Page Six on Ballroom after she and Trevor Donovan were eliminated.
“Lin, I’ve known him since I was 10 years old. He used to judge competitions [in England] “He always wanted me to win,” she continued.
“I went to every competition he was judged on and my parents were elated every time he was on the panel. I remember going up to him as a kid and thanking him for believing in me. Twenty years later, I did the same thing tonight…and I cried again.”
It’s unclear if the production will replace Goodman’s seat at the judges’ table – currently side by side Carrie Ann InabaAnd the Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli — but Slater said she’s “always” working to “welcome more” people to the “DWTS” family.
“I think Lane would want that too. I also strongly believe in respecting what people have done, but then embracing new personalities and making room for people who would shine just as hard.” So I think [let’s] Paving the way for someone to make Lane proud and make the show embrace someone new, too.”
He described Goodman as a “legend”. Fellow supporter Gleb Savchenko He said that it would be sad to compete without his comments, because he “turned” the hall.
“All the criticisms and all the little points he always said to us,” he said of the former, “we all took it and we all worked on it because it’s ballroom dancing.” Blackpool Dance Festival a hero.
“So for him leaving the show, it’s heartbreaking. She got emotional as soon as she heard it. We all love Lane so much, and not having him, it would be a missing piece.”
Two-time mirrorball champion Val Chmerkovskiy He spoke with similar sentiments, telling Page Six that he was “really sad” about the retirement news.
“It feels like a chapter is ending,” he said. “I started thinking, like, ‘Well, if this time went by too quickly for him, then it went too quickly for me too. That’s kind of the inevitable truth for all of us. So, it really puts me in a place of appreciation and gratitude.”
As for whether he will step back to fill the refereeing role next season if he gets the chance?
“Yeah, I would like to do it. I’ll be completely honest, I hope I don’t miss out on my future opportunity, but I still want to dance.” [right now],” he admitted. “I had the opportunity to judge Dancing With The Stars: Kids and I loved the opportunity to talk to kids, inspire them, and give their opinion…but that was a huge responsibility.”
He added, “I don’t know if it’s different when you’re judging adults, I’m sure it is, but I wasn’t entirely preoccupied with that. I wanted to dance, it kind of felt uncomfortable offering criticism in such a fragile situation. So, I don’t I envy this job! I’m not rushing to get there yet.”
Single professional dancer she has She wanted to be a part of Judgement comity In recent years she is Cheryl Burke. The “Burke in the Game” Podcast Host He competed on the show for 25 seasons, most recently as Sam Champion.
“Cheryl definitely wants to be a judge and I think she would be a great addition,” said Brett Stewart, who was eliminated along with Daniel Durant on Monday. “I think Derek is a testament to an ex-professional who has become a judge. He really has the knowledge and the experience of what it’s like to be in our shoes.”
Stewart added that Goodman has been known to be “very tough” with everyone he competes over the years, so it will be “interesting” to see who eventually “takes on that role” as the “hard judge” after his exit.
“I’m a fan of Cheryl all day,” she added of “Dance Moms.” “I’d like to see her in this position.”
Goodman, 78 years old announced his departure Halfway through Monday night’s show, he told viewers, “While we are all excited and very much looking forward to the finale next week, it will also be with a touch of sadness and this will be my final season judging by ‘Dancing With the Stars.'”
Noting that it had been “a great pleasure” to judge the quiz series “since it began” in 2005, he added, “I’m very much looking forward to next weekend. I’m sure it’s going to be absolutely amazing.”
The season 31 finale of “Dancing With the Stars” — featuring celebrity finalists Charli D’Amelio, Gabby Wendy, Shangela, and Wayne Brady — will air next Monday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Disney+. .
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