Episode 7: Halloween Night Breakdown

Summary

Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast

Episode 7: Halloween Night Breakdown

Release Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Joey Graziadei

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Overview

This special Halloween Night episode takes listeners behind the scenes of Dancing with the Stars’ spookiest show of the season. Host Joey Graziadei guides us through dramatic moments in the ballroom, including a harrowing injury, the intensity of the dance marathon, and the elimination of contestants Jen and Jan. The episode features exclusive interviews with pro dancer Alan Burson (discussing partner Elaine’s injury and recovery), Olympic rugby player/Season 33 finalist Ilona Mar, head makeup and hair artists Zena Green and Kimmy Messina, and finally, a heartfelt conversation with newly eliminated Jen and Jan. Listeners get deep dives into the creative process, emotional journeys, and the community spirit of the show.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Elaine’s Injury and Recovery (00:58–08:37)

Guest: Alan Burson (Pro dancer, partner to Elaine)

• Injury Details and Immediate Response:

  • Elaine suffered an excruciating rib injury during rehearsal. The whole production team sprang into action to support her.
    • “She was just saying, I can’t breathe... She was in excruciating pain.” – Alan (02:52)
    • The show’s director, Phil (a former nurse), and stage manager Roger provided immediate help and comfort.
  • Joey notes the emotional atmosphere: “Everyone was silent in the room, just waiting and kind of praying...” (04:39)

• Aftermath and Recovery:

  • Diagnosis: Bad muscle sprain between the ribs, making it hard to breathe.
  • Elaine is cleared to dance next week but will rest; everyone is grateful it wasn't season-ending.
    • “She just wants to continue. She’s having the time of her life.” – Alan (05:05)
  • The incident showcases the team’s readiness and camaraderie in crisis.

• Performance Drive & Partnership:

  • Elaine is commended for her relentless commitment and resilience.
  • Alan reflects emotionally: “She’s changing my life for sure. And seeing her inspire so many people is just... I feel so lucky to be partnered with her.” (07:10)

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2. Life After the Ballroom & Season Reflections (08:49–23:49)

Guest: Ilona Mar (Olympic medalist, Season 33 finalist)

• Returning to the Ballroom:

  • Ilona shares mixed feelings: nostalgia mixed with renewed stress and the realization she’s “no longer the big dog.”
    • “We’re washed, love. Let’s just say what it is.” – Joey (10:02)

• Using Her Platform:

  • Ilona discusses championing women athletes, body confidence, and being a visible role model.
    • “I wanted to show... I can go on the floor and do a Vinnie's Wall so that more people can do that. Because... I stopped dancing because I didn’t feel like my body type was made for it. And I saw you dance, and I was like, I’m the one that got you back into dance.” – Ilona (10:30)

• Social Media Strategy:

  • She leveraged social media for exposure and sponsorship, often collaborating with her dance partner Alan on TikToks.
    • “Alan was honestly on it more than I was... Always telling, we need to make TikToks.” (12:21)

• Show and Tells & Team Dances:

  • Ilona and Joey discuss the value of informal “show and tells,” giving celebrities a chance to practice before a small audience.
  • Team dances were a highlight for Ilona: “Team Goofs for life... I love team dance so far. Everyone asks me what my favorite dances are... I had the most fun with the team dance.” (14:54)

• Signature Lifts and Competition Memories:

  • Ilona’s famed lift of Jenna (in heels, no less) is recounted:
    • “Everyone thinks it’s so cool, but... I do it in my sport all the time...” (17:02)

• Reflections on Judging, Growth, and Favorites:

  • Ilona recalls her improvement arc and her favorite semifinal routines, highlighting how choreographer Alan tailored performances to each partner’s strengths.
  • She also gives praise to standout couples from the current season: Alex & Val, Whitney & Mark, Robert Irwin, and Jordan Charles for their authenticity and showmanship.
    • “Jordan’s unreal... She’s had the climb.” (20:31)

• Top Contender Predictions:

  • Ilona roots for Robert Irwin to win and adds Whitney & Mark, Jordan, Alex, or Dylan as possible finalists. (22:01)
    • “I want Jordan, but I... need the fans to see because she is competing with, like, Alex Earl as well. So campaigning starts now. Vote for Jordan.” (22:21)

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3. Behind the Costumes: Makeup & Hair Magic (25:13–39:02)

Guests: Zena Green (Head of Makeup), Kimmy Messina (Head of Hair)

• Evolution of Show Aesthetics:

  • Early seasons featured heavy makeup, extreme lashes, and tight, ballroom-insular hairstyles.
  • Now, looks are red carpet-ready, with softer touches and fashion-forward hair.
    • “It was heavy makeup, three pairs of lashes, tons of glitter…” – Zena (26:36)
    • “Now... more edgy and that type of thing. More red carpet, more on trend fashion...” – Kimmy (27:38)

• Show Day Logistics:

  • Days start early; getting a celeb ready is an all-day, iterative process interrupted by rehearsals, dress runs, and last-minute tweaks.
    • “It’s really like an all day process where we’re constantly, like, building, maintaining.” – Zena (29:31)
  • Safety is paramount—hair and makeup must be functional for dance as well as visually impactful.
    • Kimmy recalls creating malleable hair horns for Ariana for safety reasons. (29:48)

• Vibe in the Hair & Makeup Trailers:

  • Aim to create a comfortable, homey environment for stars:
    • “Angela Moss makes banana bread, people chill, there’s music, chai tea, a whole ambiance...” – Zena (31:48)

• Quick Changes and Live Challenges:

  • Halloween and Disney nights bring wild quick-change challenges—multiple artists work on a single celeb for transformations in under 80 minutes.
    • “It was hectic. Insane... you feel the pressure. But it always, like, comes together somehow.” – Kimmy (33:39)
  • Tonight’s highlight: Scrambling to clean “head-to-toe blood” off Robert Irwin between routines.
    • “Getting him cleaned up out of that in a timely manner... we were all just like—what was it, eight of us?” – Kimmy (34:26)
    • “It was crazy back there.” – Jen (35:12)

• Favorite Creations:

  • Alex’s hair (Maleficent look) and Dylan’s (extensions for a romance-novel vibe).
  • Some pros are always adventurous (Alan), others more reserved (Whitney was “traumatized” by a “Hellraiser” bald cap). (37:11)

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4. Farewell to Jen & Jan: Gratitude and Reflection (39:57–51:04)

Guests: Jen (contestant) & Jan (pro dancer)

• Gratitude for the Journey:

  • Jen expresses pride in dancing postpartum and inspiring other moms.
    • “My whole purpose... was to not only... dance on the big stage... but to also inspire other moms...” (40:37)
  • Grateful to finish strong, especially ending with a Taylor Swift number and her kids watching.

• The Partnership:

  • Jan praises Jen’s energy, hard work and how she brought him into the world of social media and TikTok.
    • “She always brought energy... She somehow bring me to this dark side of TikTok.” (42:14)
  • The journey was full of learning, emotion, and support.
    • “No matter what... even tonight... we had a vision... musicality... Look how good you are... You were great.” – Jan (44:07)

• Navigating Social Media and Pressure:

  • Jan shares the struggle of negative online criticism, choosing to step back for his own mental health:
    • “You just made something and they’re happy that they got what, 200,000 and, like, views... But we are real people here and they don’t know how they are hurting us.” (47:33)

• Behind the Scenes Struggle:

  • Jen wishes more of her backstage challenges were shown: balancing the show, new motherhood, and work.
    • “Everyone just saw... the bubbly version of Jen... but there were also a lot of moments where I was really, really struggling.” (48:40)

• Heartfelt Farewell:

  • Jen and Jan affirm their bond and how much their partnership meant.
    • “Whether you do another season or not, I truly believe this was like, meant to be.” – Jen (50:03)
    • “You’re the best.” – Jan (50:46)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Elaine’s injury:
  “She just wants to continue. She’s having the time of her life.”
  – Alan Burson (05:05)

• On the pressure and camaraderie of live TV:
  “Everyone was silent in the room, just waiting and kind of praying...”
  – Joey (04:39)

• On body positivity and dancing:
  “I wanted to show... I can go on the floor and do a Vinnie's Wall so that more people can do that.”
  – Ilona Mar (10:30)

• On team dances:
  “First off, I was the captain of that team. Why was I? Because I had the lowest scores. That’s rude, but I will take it.”
  – Ilona Mar (14:54)

• On the evolution of the show's look:
  “It was heavy makeup, three pairs of lashes, tons of glitter...”
  – Zena Green (26:36)

• On social media negativity:
  “We are real people here and they don’t know how they are hurting us.”
  – Jan (47:33)

• On Jen's purpose and gratitude:
  “The fact that I was able to start this journey eight weeks postpartum... that’s a win to me.”
  – Jen (41:16)

• On partnerships:
  “Whether you do another season or not, like, I. I truly believe this was like, meant to be.”
  – Jen to Jan (50:03)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Elaine’s Injury & Update: 00:58–08:37
• Ilona Mar on Returning & Social Media: 08:49–23:49
• Hair & Makeup Deep Dive (Zena Green & Kimmy Messina): 25:13–39:02
• Jen & Jan Farewell Interview: 39:57–51:04

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Tone & Language

As always, the tone is supportive, playful, and candid—mixing behind-the-scenes reality TV hustle with heartfelt emotion and humorous camaraderie. The guests and host share admiration, honesty, and mutual respect. There’s a natural flow from light banter to genuinely moving moments, accessible and engaging for newcomers and die-hard fans alike.

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Summary Takeaways

Halloween Night on Dancing with the Stars was a blend of high-stakes live TV drama, backstage hustle, artistic achievement, and the personal journeys of contestants and crew. The episode delved into Elaine’s dramatic injury and comeback, Ilona Mar’s reflections on body image and team camaraderie, the unsung artistry of the hair and makeup team, and Jen & Jan’s touching farewell — all culminating in a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the communal spirit that drives the show forward.

Transcript

[Alan Burson]

Every story you love, every invention that.

[Jan]

Moves you, every idea you wished was yours.

[Alan Burson]

All began as nothing. Just a blank page with a blinking.

[Joey]

Cursor asking a simple question.

[Alan Burson]

What do you see?

[Joey]

Great ideas.

[Alan Burson]

Start on Mac. Find out more on apple.com Mac she is back home. They released her from the hospital.

[Ilona Mar]

First off, I was the captain of that team. Why was I? Because I had the lowest scores. That's rude. But I will take it.

[Kimmy Messina]

You don't want there to be blood stained hair and blood on his forehead.

[Jen]

And whether you do another season or not, like, I truly believe this was like meant to be.

[Joey]

Welcome to Halloween night here on the Dance with the Stars official pop podcasts. Tonight, things got eerie, spooky and a little bit creepy here in the ballroom. And we are inching closer and closer to one couple taking home the Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy in just a few weeks. Tonight's dance marathon pushed the couples to their limits as they tackled learning three dance styles this week. But Alex and Val rose to the occasion and brought in the most points, which means they ended up the night at the top of the leaderboard. But unfortunately, Jen and Jan went home. They're coming to chat with me here later tonight exclusively right here. So stick around for that. And coming up later, with a combined 44 Emmy nominations, Xena Green and Kimmy Messina, who lead the hair and makeup teams, will be here to chat with me. And I'll be chatting with Olympic rugby Bronze medalist, season 33 finalists and my good friend Alon Amar. But my first guest is here to give us an update on his partner Elaine, who is injured during rehearsal this morning. It's pro Allen Burson. Alan, what's up, man? I'm glad you're here, Joey.

[Alan Burson]

I'm glad I'm here on different terms.

[Joey]

Normal. Yes. This isn't for an elimination. This is a talk about Elaine. I want to start off just first question, how is she doing right now?

[Alan Burson]

Thankfully, she is cleared to dance for next week.

[Joey]

Okay.

[Alan Burson]

She is back home. They released her from the hospital. She's super excited. I know she's going to be resting for the next few days. Yeah, I think the, the main thing is getting her ready for the show.

[Joey]

Of course.

[Alan Burson]

So, you know, two days off for sure. If more, we need more, we'll take a few more. But she's just so grateful.

[Joey]

I mean, of course, the fact that it wasn't something that can keep her sidelined for longer. And I want to talk about like what exactly happened a little more. I got to Elaine's post Online, she. She said it was something with her ribs. I came in today right around when it happened, and I. I saw there was a different air because everyone was so worried about her. Can you explain what it was like in that moment? Because I think it was. It was a pretty long time that you guys didn't know exactly what it was and how she was feeling.

[Alan Burson]

You know, it happened like, a quarter away into the dance, and she was just saying, I can't breathe. And I was like, okay. And we just stood there as. As I think we saw in that show, and for, like, 20 minutes, it was just waiting for the ambulance and making sure she can be. Be okay, because we didn't know what was going on. The EMT came in right away and tried to assess her, but she was in excruciating pain. You know, like, she couldn't lay down.

[Joey]

Yeah, she.

[Alan Burson]

We kind of just held her for, like, a good 10 minutes, and then we were able to get her down, and then she was down for another 10 minutes until the ambulance came and was able to administer some pain and medication to help her get onto the gurney. Yeah, so it was. She went through a lot, and. And, you know, at the hardest part is. Is the unknown. You know, standing there with her and seeing her in pain and not being able to do anything. You know, my. My instinct is to. To try to be there for her and alleviate the pain and try to. You know, if I could take the pain away from her, I would, but it's just. You're kind of helpless, and you're just waiting, and the pain didn't go away, which was quite alarming, because, you know, if something. You twist the muscle, you're like, okay, I can walk it off for this. She was having trouble breathing. She couldn't really. She couldn't walk it off. And obviously, when she went to the hospital, they assessed her, and it's a really bad muscle sprain in between the ribs, which makes it hard to breathe.

[Joey]

And I think it's one of those things, too. Like you said, it's in a spot you can't even identify. It's underneath another body part. So I can only imagine in that moment what you guys are feeling, and I'm just happy she had you there. She got as much help as she could, and I'm just happy she's gonna keep on dancing.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, I think it's incredible, the show. You know, everyone just rushed to her aid. Everyone was silent in the room, just waiting and kind of praying because, you know, this doesn't happen. Often. But it's good to know that when it does happen, the team is so ready. You know, the director was out there. Phil. Shout out to Phil, our director.

[Joey]

Phil's there.

[Alan Burson]

I don't know if people should know this. He used to be a nurse.

[Joey]

No way.

[Alan Burson]

So he was there. He's gonna kill me for saying this.

[Joey]

I love that.

[Alan Burson]

But he was there holding Elaine's hand. You know, they were checking her blood pressure, and he was like, oh, that's a good blood pressure. It was really funny. And then Roger, our stage manager, was holding her the whole time. Like, Elaine is just such a trooper. And even though she was in so much pain, her first thing was like, what's gonna happen with the show? And I think she's gone through so much in her life, and getting the opportunity to dance again is just. It would be such a shame for it to get cut short because of an injury. So I know that we're both so grateful. She was crying afterwards, calling me when we were safe. She just wants to continue. She's having the time of her life. And. And we're so grateful to the fans for voting for us.

[Joey]

Yeah. I think that's so special. You could tell when you were talking about it, too. Like, it's. You don't want it to end this way. Obviously, there's a lot of things you can't control in this competition, injuries being one of them. But it doesn't feel right that this would have been the end of her story where she didn't get the chance to perform live, because that is something Elaine is amazing at. She is a performer. I want to talk about the rehearsal and what everyone saw on tv, because I remember when we were going through the competition, I was always told, like, hey, you want to dance every single wide. Every single time you do anything on camera. Camera, you want to dance like it's the actual show. And the reason was because you want to feel good about it. But did you know that, too, that there's a chance that it's going to be possibly on tv? Like, explain a little more why that's so important to dance that hard in rehearsal.

[Alan Burson]

You know, you never expect that. Right. You're always expecting to do the show live on Tuesday. Something that's so special and so endearing about Elaine is she goes full out every single time. And so the fact that I. I don't have to tell her to go. She wants to try it. We had that amazing pass, you know, and was it perfect? No. Because we still had another day to practice. It.

[Joey]

Right.

[Alan Burson]

But I think people can see that even at that level, it was incredible. And then when it was gonna be live, it would have been spectacular, of course. But there's no point of lingering on what it could be. The fact that she comes in every day through pain and just fights for it is just a testament to how much she wants it.

[Joey]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

And so it was. It was. I'm so grateful that she comes out there every time we're on stage and gives it 100%, because we were able to show that. And honestly, it was still very, very good.

[Joey]

It was great. She was still giving face. There was a lot of tenacity.

[Alan Burson]

You know, if you watch it back towards the end, we're smiling at each other because we did. That was our third pass. That was back to. Back to back.

[Joey]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

And we were tired. And she just looked at me, she's like, oh, push through. And so, like, I see the little smirk that we give each other, but it's just Elaine is such a trooper, such a fighter, and you can see that in the quality of her performance, of her dancing. And so I'm just, again, so grateful that we get another opportunity. You know, she is living her best life on this show. And I think that's what's so special about the show, is it gives people this incredible, you know, moment every week of feeling accomplishment and connecting and feeling good about yourself. You know, all of these celebrities are doing so well and putting themselves out there. I only get to experience Elaine, so I can only talk on her. But she. She's changing my life for sure. And. And seeing her inspire so many people is just. I feel so lucky to be partnered with her.

[Joey]

No, I. You can tell you guys have a special partnership, and I'm glad you got here. To talk about what happened today and to give a little more light on it, I cannot wait to see you guys dance next week. And best of luck with handling all this, but I know you guys are gonna be great.

[Jan]

Thank you.

[Alan Burson]

If we need to. Will you fill in?

[Joey]

Yeah, dude, I can.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Joey]

For rehearsals, I'll do the wide. I've never been the female in the dance, but I'm sure if you're my partner, Alan, I think we could do it.

[Alan Burson]

I like this.

[Joey]

Joining me now is Olympic rugby Bronze medalist, season 33 finalist, and my good friend, Alona Mar.

[Ilona Mar]

Happy to be here.

[Joey]

Hello. How are you doing?

[Ilona Mar]

I love this. Yeah.

[Joey]

Welcome to my dojo.

[Ilona Mar]

You have here.

[Joey]

Yeah, this is. This is my spot.

[Ilona Mar]

Sparkly, man. I know.

[Jan]

I know.

[Joey]

Even this, right? You Remember this guy? All right, love, come on. How's it being back in the ballroom? What does it feel like to be back? This is like, what, like the second or third week in a row you've got a chance to come back.

[Ilona Mar]

It's been great. I will say, when I walk in that first time, when I came back, I. I got immediately, like, stressed. Like, walking into the breezeway, I was like, it's like the tension you. You feel. And I was, like, ready to hear the clicks and ready to go. So it's been good, but it's. It's a little chaotic because for those 10 weeks we were on the show, it was stressful every show day.

[Joey]

Yeah, I feel like. It almost feels like when you're back, you're about to dance, but you know you're not going to, and you, like, wrestle with those feelings, and it just is a little odd, I think, from.

[Ilona Mar]

Week to week is also that it's not our season. So, like, when it was season 33, we walking in like big dogs here. Yeah, big dog. I'll take my. My smoothie now. Thank you. You know, like, that was our season. We were the. The stars of it. So now when you come back, it's so cool to see new people like this. They get to experience it as well. And you're. You're just kind of now, you know, watching by, you know, from the background, like, ah, we're.

[Joey]

We're washed, love. Let's just say what it is. We're. We're not as important as we used to be. And it's.

[Ilona Mar]

No, that. That's what I'm. Exactly what I'm trying to say. It's hard, it's tough. They'll swallow, but, you know.

[Joey]

Well, let's talk about our season in general. I think one of my favorite things that you did is you came in with a purpose, a message, and I thought it was so beautiful how you got the chance to do that through the experience. And I think one of my favorite things is you were one of the most honest people through it as well. Can you talk a little bit more about what that message was that you're trying to convey and just how that was for you during the season?

[Ilona Mar]

Yeah, so my message was. And it's my message throughout, whatever I do is kind of that female athletes, specifically a few very muscular Baby Matthews can still be very beautiful and sexy and elegant. And so I play a very tough sport, rugby, where we're thought of as, at times, just manly. And I just. I wanted to show no I. I can go on the floor and do a Vinnie's Wall so that more people can do that. Because I think, especially in dance, too, it was so cool to see all the comments of girls who were like, oh, I. I stopped dancing because I didn't feel like my body type was made for it. And I saw you dance, and I was like, I'm the one that got you back into dance. Okay. But I. It was really important for me to try that because I tell girls and I tell women and men to try different things. And so here I was, got the shot to do Dance with the Stars. And I will say I didn't want to do it. I was like, I knew that it would be very hard. I had never danced forever. I took a ballet class when, I think when I was in kindergarten one time, and that was it. So I didn't want to do it. But I also knew that it'd be hypocritical of me after what I tell people, right. To not do it.

[Jen]

Right.

[Joey]

Well, I think what you did is you were honest through how it was tough. Sometimes I think you were so good at being transparent through your experience and having people really feel like they were a part of it, too, because it isn't easy and there are ups and downs. And I thought you had one of the most genuine and unique experiences with that, that you just let it be known that it was tough at times. But I will say you became a beautiful dancer at the end of it, too. Come on.

[Ilona Mar]

Okay, Joey. I don't know, but I think I was most improved.

[Joey]

You 100% were, because week one was. Week one was.

[Ilona Mar]

But then only up from there.

[Joey]

And then we dipped. It got better.

[Ilona Mar]

And then we went. Dipped again, but then we went up.

[Joey]

But one of the things you did through the season, too, not only get better at dancing, but you changed the game. I think with social media, I feel like for us, Jenna and I always are paying attention to be like, okay, is Ilona posting? Like, should we be posting more? But what was your game plan coming in and how did that look like for you with the show?

[Ilona Mar]

Well, I mean, my social media journey starts from before the Tokyo Olympics. I saw the power of social media and I saw how many people it could reach. And I was like, this is really interesting as a female athlete in a sport that nobody knows about. I want to get sponsorships. I want to put myself out there. How do I do it? And it was social media that did it. So in Tokyo, I blew up a little bit. And then in Paris, I blew up, you know, even more through this. And so that's just. I have a little knack for it. I guess not everyone can do it, but I find things that are funny, find things relatable, and put it out there. I will say Alan was the perfect partner for that because I remember our first day. I was like, well, I'll still make tiktoks. I don't know if he wants to make it the first thing. He's like, we gotta make tiktoks. And so he. Everyone thinks I'm the creative mind here. Alan was honestly on it more than I was always telling, we need to make tiktoks. We need to do this. And so he was always coming up with ideas. So it was a very kind of 50, 50 partnership, if not more of him knowing the power of it.

[Joey]

One of the things that we need to talk about too, is show and tells. And I'll explain what a show and tell is because for some reason alone and I did the most show and tells together possible. But during the week, we will sometimes do the dance for another couple because you want to start practicing how it's going to feel in front of someone else because you might feel really good about routine and as soon as someone else watches, you get nervous. So from week to week, we would have show and tells where you would do it for the other celebrities. And for some reason alone. And I get every show and tell together. How did you feel about show and tells when you were in them?

[Ilona Mar]

I needed them. I didn't want to do them, but I needed them because I was getting, like, kind of stage fright. I remember the first dance, it got so loud, which is great. The bong got so loud. When I started that song, Dun Dun, and I was like, kind of lost everything. So I needed to do the show and tell. So our first week, I remember, or it was like second weekend, we did the show and tell. I remember seeing Joey's. I was like, God, that's a winner. We got a winner here. And I'm coming up with my basic cha cha steps, okay? But it was good for me. And then towards the end, even we would do show and tells a lot. We'd bring in other couples. I would bring in the producers at times as well because I needed more people in the room to be watching me while I did it. Because my problem was when I was practicing, sometimes I wouldn't practice. Like, it was show day. I'm locked into, like, getting all the steps so I wouldn't be performing it. So I was like, you need to perform it. So I would have people in there. I had Olivia, my manager, come in. She would have an air horn and blast an air horn at me. She'd be yelling at me, you're ugly. Just to get me locked in. So I really liked it because it also connected us because afterwards we could be like, I hate this. This is so hard. I hate the blah, blah, blah, whatever we're doing.

[Joey]

Well, they announced tonight that there is going to be team dances next week for hall of Fame Rock and Roll Night. Okay, what did you like about team dances? Because we were on the same team together, if you guys didn't know.

[Ilona Mar]

Team Goofs.

[Joey]

Team Goofs. For life.

[Ilona Mar]

For life. Team Goofs. Okay, first off, I was the captain of that team. Why was I. Because I had the lowest scores. That's rude, but I will take it. I took that on the chain and I did Well, I love team dance so far. Everyone asked me what my favorite dances are. And individually, I love my semifinals. But in a whole, I had the most fun with the team dance, I think because it brought me back to I'm a team athlete through and through. I've only ever played team sports. I've never been an individual athlete. So there, even being a captain, I wasn't doing anything. I was just sometimes yelling at Brandon or something. But it felt so right because I was doing it for my teammates. Whereas when it was just Alan and I, it was just me out there. Yes, it was a team with Alan, but he's, in a sense, more my coach. So it's me out there on my own. But for this, I was like, I'm doing this for Jen, Chandler and Joey. Like, I know that. And I think it really helped me, like, one of my best performances really quick. And we only had two days to practice that really. So I loved it. I love the energy. I got to lift Jenna, which the team before us. It was good, huh?

[Joey]

It was really good. We'll get back to that in a second. Keep going. But that lift was incredible.

[Ilona Mar]

No, it was. That had to be one of the funnest times. And also, we were a good group. We came in, had a lot of fun. I remember, like, Brandon was teaching me the first move, and Alan was like, oh, God. She said, well, I think I was first with you or something. And they're like, nope, switch. Joey, go with Chandler. Brandon was alone. I was like, okay. Well, so it was a. I loved it. I think our whole cast was just so great.

[Joey]

We had a great group and I think the big thing for our team too, like you said, is we gelled. And I think that's going to be important. Going the next week is seeing how the teams gel together and how they work together. But we have to come back to your lift because it was one of the funniest things seeing from afar when you did it. I saw Brandon's face and he was like, that was incredible. Like, Jenna even says, you might have been the strongest and the most successful lifter that she's ever had because. And this is also funny because it's so used. She's like, she doesn't even use technique. She just chucked me in the air. Like, it was just easy for her because usually guys have this whole process and you just picked her up and it was incredible when it happened.

[Ilona Mar]

Everyone thinks it's so cool, but thing is, I do it in my sport all the time, so it's actually not that cool, but it is very cool in a way.

[Joey]

Because you did it in heels, though.

[Ilona Mar]

I did it in heels. That was the big thing because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it. And then I did it. But the team before us, it was Dwight and Steven. Dwight lifted Steven and they were like, oh, my gosh. And the ballroom is crazy. And I was like, we're going to wait. Let's go.

[Joey]

And I think it was just one of those moments that just brought that whole routine together.

[Ilona Mar]

Oh, I loved it. Team Goose for life, guys.

[Joey]

Team Goose for life. And I honestly can't wait to see what happens with team dances next week because it is also one of my favorite things for the whole competition. But you also said semifinals was one of your favorite weeks. What did you love about semifinals? Because I know I thought that was your two strongest dances, hands down.

[Ilona Mar]

I, first off, just, they were great dances. I was really starting to understand things a little more. It was after when Halloween night, and we got just like, our dance was good. It wasn't great, but then everybody got tens after us and I was like, what? What's going on here? So that really brought me down. And then I remember seeing comments like, not deserving to be here, this. And so it really just pissed me off because I said, no, that was judges scoring. And. And I do think that it wasn't. Maybe it wasn't deserving a 10, but could be better. So then from then on, it was like, all right, I'm locking in. Not that I wasn't locked in, but I was going to prove people wrong. So we Did a quick step. Felt good in the quick step. And then this was another time to prove that I deserve to be in the final. And I. I'll give it to Alan. The way he choreographs and even I see it this season with him and Elaine. He choreographs for his partner to make his partner look as good as possible. And he puts in little moments, like the little moment with the bell a couple weeks ago, Even the first one with the hat in the. In the debut show. Like, he choreographs for him. So the way that he choreographed for me, like, in that paso doble, I felt so, like, powerful and sexy up there. And, like, he's like, okay, we're gonna put these dancers in chairs. It just was him and trusting him. You know, sometimes we fisticuffs in there. But we figured it out, and I. Those are my favorite dances, and I really felt like, okay, I just proved that I should be here.

[Joey]

Here. That possibly was, hands down, your strongest dance. It was. It was very good. I'm just gonna keep hyping you up over here, though. You're a dancer.

[Ilona Mar]

It's a quality space.

[Joey]

Well, you talked about Alan and Elaine. I want to talk more about this season now. Who have been some of the couples? We can talk more about Anna Lane, because I know that's your boy. But who has couples you've been really excited about for the season?

[Ilona Mar]

I personally loved. It was cool. Alex and Val's Disney night.

[Joey]

Oh, so good.

[Ilona Mar]

The maleficent dance, I thought was so good. I mean, that should be scored even greater. Whitney and Mark.

[Joey]

Whitney and Mark are great.

[Ilona Mar]

I'm like, give her.

[Joey]

How do you think you would have done on this season?

[Ilona Mar]

Thank. No, thank God. I was not on this season because when I saw the week one dances, I was like, my cha cha would have been out of there. My cha cha would have been gone. It's. We have some dancers.

[Joey]

Yeah.

[Ilona Mar]

And even people who've, like, aren't dancers, but they've take dance classes and they.

[Joey]

In the performers, I feel like too. Right. They seem so comfortable on camera. I feel like what happened for a lot of us is we were trying to figure out how to feel good and, like, own it.

[Ilona Mar]

Yes.

[Joey]

And from week one with this group, it's been crazy.

[Ilona Mar]

You know who's a performer? Robert Irwin.

[Joey]

Yes.

[Ilona Mar]

He is that guy. He is a performer. Okay. He knows how to interact with the crowd. He knows how to just get people going. I think that's, like, just testament.

[Joey]

He.

[Ilona Mar]

This is his job. And he also knows, I think how people tick not only animals as big things animals. I think he knows how people take as well. Yeah. So his performance have been really great as well. Oh, you know that Jordan Charles. I'm forgetting my Jordan.

[Joey]

Jordan's unreal.

[Ilona Mar]

Unreal. Week one, I think people were like, mean about it, which, okay, the lips are crazy, but I hear you. So then, I mean, I think Ezra was like fine and completely has changed up his game and the choreography has been amazing. I loved the jive and then their tango too, I think were so cool. And she's, you know, she's also had the climb.

[Joey]

Right. I think it's been really scary for her. Not for her, but for people around her that are competing against her. How she's getting better every single week.

[Ilona Mar]

Absolutely.

[Joey]

And that's. That's huge. I think for the competitions to have that growth because someone came out swinging right away and it's like, can you keep up with that? I feel like too.

[Ilona Mar]

And then Dylan, I think seems like such a sweetheart.

[Joey]

He's. He's the sweetest boy.

[Ilona Mar]

Just the sweetest, sweetest boy. And also very good. And I think Danny is one of a kind. Just when I see her dance, it's different. It's like crazy.

[Joey]

Yeah.

[Ilona Mar]

So I am expecting them to go far, but everybody is insanely good. So I made that post once where I was like, well, thank goodness Dwight, Danny and Steven and I were not on this one because it would not have been good for us.

[Joey]

I would have been interested to see what would have happened though because I think it's also one of those things when you're surrounded by that much level of talent, you step up your game too. Which is why I think it's been getting better and better each week this year is because everyone's like blown away by all the performances that they have to bring their best week in and week out. Maybe, you know, maybe you would have been better.

[Ilona Mar]

Maybe if my cast were better, I'd be better.

[Joey]

If I was better, you would have been.

[Ilona Mar]

Joey was better. I would have better. That's Joey's fault.

[Joey]

Do you have a top three prediction or like anyone you think that you can see going to the finale in your mind?

[Ilona Mar]

Robert, of course. I think Robert's going to win it.

[Joey]

That's fair.

[Ilona Mar]

That's fair. Robert, I think Whitney and Mark and.

[Joey]

Then Jordan, like you said, I would guess.

[Ilona Mar]

Is this top three or top four?

[Joey]

Top three or four? Whichever one do. Let's go top four. Let's go four. Give you some more you think Jordan.

[Ilona Mar]

I want Jordan, but I. I want them to. I need the fans to see because she is competing with like, Alex Earl as well. So campaigning starts now. Vote for Jordan. I'd love to see Jordan up there. And I think Alex or Dylan.

[Joey]

Okay, so between those four or five is where you're at right now.

[Ilona Mar]

I really don't know.

[Joey]

It's okay. I think that was a strong top four.

[Ilona Mar]

Thank you so much.

[Joey]

And you know what the crazy thing is I have to hold you to it too. So if one of them is wrong, I'm going to text you immediately and tell you that you messed up.

[Ilona Mar]

Okay.

[Joey]

Just know that.

[Ilona Mar]

But if Robert wins it, then you're.

[Joey]

Going to look like a genius. Oh, that's. We'll find a prize for you. Last question for you.

[Ilona Mar]

Yeah.

[Joey]

Do you miss it? Do you miss being in the ball?

[Ilona Mar]

I miss the, like, glitz and glam of it. Like, it was so fun when just your job was going to the studio hanging with. I got to hang with my buddy Alan. We just get erewhon, you know, Like, I miss that.

[Joey]

Yeah.

[Ilona Mar]

I don't miss where it was. It consumed you. It was all we could do. I didn't, like, towards the end of it, towards the last, like five weeks, I didn't lift at all because it was so busy and I couldn't even do any sort of rugby stuff. But I love, I did love show days. I loved it. Like, you're in it, so I miss it. But I also feel like I really, I gave it all my all and I don't. I just left it all out there. So there wasn't anything I feel like I could have done more. Like I did it what I needed to do, and now I'm happy I get to watch.

[Joey]

Well, we miss you at it and I appreciate you coming here today talking with me because it's just good to kind of unpack all this and it's always good to see you low.

[Ilona Mar]

Thanks, Joey. And tennis sometime.

[Joey]

Yes. Let's do it.

[Ilona Mar]

Perfect.

[Joey]

Stick around, guys, because I'll be chatting with Jen and Jan, who are headed backstage to chat with me a little later. Exclusively right here. But up next is the very talented Zena Green and Kimmy Messina, who lead the hair and makeup department here at Dancing with the Stars. So don't go anywhere.

[Kimmy Messina]

Ford Blue Cruise hands free. Highway driving takes the work out of being behind the wheel, allowing you to relax and reconnect while also staying in control. Enjoy the drive in bluecruise enabled vehicles like the F150 Explorer and Mustang Mach E Available feature on equipped vehicles. Terms apply. Does not replace safe driving. See Ford.com BlueCruise for more details. When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans. Send event invites and pinned messages so no one forgets mom's 60th and never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Learn [e-mail].

[Joey]

My next guests are VIPs behind the scenes. They lead the team of very talented people who typically make the cast look very beautiful every week. But this week, they turned them into very scary, creepy, mysterious creatures. Between the two of them, they have been nominated for an Emmy 44 times and have won four times. It's the head of the makeup department, Zena Green, and the head of the hair department, Kimmy Messina. Hi, guys.

[Zena Green]

Hi.

[Joey]

How are we doing?

[Jen]

Good.

[Zena Green]

Great.

[Joey]

So, Zena, you are the head of makeup, and Kimmy, you are the head of hair.

[Kimmy Messina]

Yes.

[Joey]

Did I get that right?

[Zena Green]

Yes.

[Joey]

I'm so glad you're here. Just so you guys know, this has been something that a lot of people have asked for. They want to hear more from the people that do all the stuff behind the scenes from week to week. And obviously, you take care of the makeup and you take care of the hair. I want you each to tell me how long you've been on the show for.

[Zena Green]

I have been on Dancing with the Stars since the very first season.

[Joey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Zena Green]

Yes.

[Joey]

That is not a usual thing on this show.

[Zena Green]

I know. I was trying to think who else has probably been on it as long as I have, and I'm not quite sure. Maybe like, a producer or Dean has.

[Joey]

Been here the whole time and knows when we talked to her earlier. That's. That's a long time. Kimmy, what season did you start on the show?

[Kimmy Messina]

And season three.

[Joey]

Season three. So you guys have been here forever. You have seen everything. Has the looks changed? I know, like, this show is obviously traditional ballroom, and I know there's. It's different with that, but how has the makeup looks actually changed from the first season to where it is now?

[Zena Green]

It's crazy. It's. It was so heavy back in the day. It was heavy makeup, three pairs of lashes, tons of glitter. I mean, it was the dancers telling us how they wanted to look because they were used to a certain grooming style. You Know, very, very tan, very heavy makeup. Because in the ballroom world, you know, they're in these dance competitions and they want people like in the back rows to be able to see them, you know, dancing on the dance floor. And it is completely evolved, totally toned down, more like just glamour red carpet. I mean, now I'm like doing like maybe one pair of lashes, individual lashes, like very a lot more toned down. But you know, you still gotta do the makeup for the lights and everything on the set.

[Joey]

Kami, you're the first person to put me in a wick. I've never done it until I was on this show. What you guys do from week to week I think is crazy. And we'll get into tonight and how awesome that was. But how has the hair changed from the beginning to now?

[Kimmy Messina]

It's changed significantly. From the very beginning it was more very strictly ballroom. You know, it was the guys really gelled down, got to be glued, sprayed their hair so solid, nothing moved. Same thing with the girls. They would want more tighter hairstyles, not such loose, curled hairstyles. Tangles were always like a bun of some sort, a pulled back, sleek bun of some sort. Of now, you know, girls are wearing it more out and more edgy and that type of thing. More red carpet, more on trend fashion versus the tight looks that we started with.

[Joey]

Yeah, one of the cool things too about what you guys do is you're one of the first people for when they come into the entire day for a show day, everyone starts in either makeup or hair. Can you tell people how long that process usually is? I'll start with you, Zena. How long does makeup usually take for a celebrity or a pro that comes in?

[Zena Green]

Yeah, we usually call times are usually about around 7 o' clock and it's an all day process. They'll come in either to hair or makeup and then we have maybe about an hour with them. But they're constantly being pulled for camera blocking and sometimes they have to go to physical therapy or whatever. So it's usually not like a straight one hour. So because of that they come in, they get pulled, they come back in, they get pulled, then we have to try to finish them up, then there's dress rehearsal, then we touch them up again and that's throughout the dress rehearsal, we're touching them up again and then after dress rehearsal we're touching them up again and then there's the show and then we're touching them up again. So it's really like an all day process where we're constantly like Building, maintaining. Like, people like to say, how do you handle the sweat when they're dancing? We are, like on them constantly maintaining.

[Joey]

Yeah. Cause it can happen at any time.

[Zena Green]

Yeah.

[Joey]

And I think one of the cool things you guys also, you both try different things. Cause you don't know how it's gonna be. I'll let you touch on that, Kimmy. Cause I think it happens a lot with hair. Like how you have to maybe see how something works in blocking. Cause you don't even know it's going to work when they dance with it. You can have this idea, but then something can go awry.

[Kimmy Messina]

Yeah, exactly. I try to always think of safety first and make sure that everybody feels safe in the hairstyle that they're either requesting or maybe a stylist is thinking of. Ariana was actually an example of where the safety comes in because she was actually meant to wear these plastic horns, but we thought they were too solid and if an arm hit, it would pull on her too much. And that's when I just said it needs to be malleable and be able to move. And if something was bumped, wouldn't hurt her in the process.

[Joey]

So you decided to make horns out of hair. That is a bold move. I love it. How long is it usually for a night like tonight with hair? Because I know these are bigger nights where sometimes they're doing different things. Is it any different on certain nights, or is there usually, like a time you like to spend on with hair for each person?

[Kimmy Messina]

Well, we also only get like an hour and 15 minutes.

[Joey]

And it's a soft hour 15 because they're in and out like you said.

[Kimmy Messina]

Exactly. They're in and out all day. And really it's like an all day. It might start in one look and then progressively go, oh, I'm gonna add this. Oh, this would be cool with this. Oh, you know what? Maybe we make a wave out of this curl since it's not behaving, you know, that type of thing. And we just kind of change it accordingly to what's gonna work at the time and what we really have time for.

[Joey]

Yeah, I remembered, I think, the Tarzan wig for last season. I was in a Tarzan wig. I think we changed it three times because the first one looked like a mop almost. We're like, this doesn't look like Tarzan at all. But I thought that was so interesting because that was one of the first times experienced it, that you have to sometimes try it and then you have to adjust because you want it to feel good. And I think that's one of the biggest things for your guys department is you do a really good job about giving someone confidence to be able to feel good out there and what they're doing. Can you talk a little bit about that energy in the trailer? Because you start the day for everyone. What are you guys trying to create when people are starting their day in the hair? I'll start with you first, Sina.

[Zena Green]

Yeah, we're always trying to create, like, just a home, comfy, cozy environment. I mean, we've got one of our artists, Angela Moss. She loves to, like, come in and bake banana bread that everybody has, like, loves. And, like, comes into the trailer just to get that. She'll make people some chai tea. Like, we put on music. Like, we create a whole ambiance so everyone can just get real comfortable and just come in and, like, just chill and get their. Get their makeup done. And, you know, we always try to create, like, that cozy kind of environment for them.

[Joey]

It's a good way to start your day. If people haven't told you that enough, it really is a good way to start your day. Earlier this season on Disney Night, you guys had some pretty crazy makeovers and changes. I think it was the most ambitious ones had to be Jan and Alan or anyone else you want to talk about on Disney Night, how that works, going from the opening number and then within the live show, transforming someone into, literally a character in a short period of time. What is that usually like, Siena?

[Zena Green]

Yeah. Well, I have to give kudos to Brian Sipe and the effects artist because, you know, I'm a beauty girl. So when it comes to all the specialty makeups, you know, we hire amazing special effects artists, and so they know how to plan for those kind of looks. But to not be able to start with that in the show and then be thrown, oh, well, they can't start with this. And now you have about, you know, 80 minutes to get it all done is kind of crazy. So there was about four artists or plus the hair people all, like, working on them at the same time to get it all done within this, like, very constricted time frame. But Kimmy was kind of in the thick of it, and it was hectic. Insane. Cause even as much planning that you do, you know, you feel the pressure.

[Joey]

It's live.

[Kimmy Messina]

You feel the pressure.

[Zena Green]

It's yawn. Told me, like, you know, somebody came in, was, like, 10 minutes, and he was like, well, good luck to you guys, you know? Cause it's like, I'm not done yet. And yet we have 10 minutes and we gotta go. But it always, like, comes together somehow.

[Joey]

I think it's crazy that the part that you do is not only the touch ups with how someone's sweating, but the changeovers is nuts. And tonight was a good example. I want to kind of transition tonight and how it went because it was the first time we had multiple dances and there's a change of a look and you guys have to try to help out with that. Kimmy, can you talk about what it was like tonight and how it went with the changeovers into these Halloween costumes and then they get ready for this dance marathon that ended up happening?

[Kimmy Messina]

I think our big one was Robert.

[Ilona Mar]

Yeah.

[Joey]

I mean, he was covered in blood, so that is a pretty big thing.

[Kimmy Messina]

Head to toe in blood. And none of us expected that because that hadn't happened in any of the rehearsals. So getting him cleaned up out of that in a timely manner to get him ready. Fortunately, he was gonna have a cowboy hat on. But still, you know, if the cowboy hat comes off, you don't want there to be blood stained hair and blood on his forehead and stuff like that. So we were all just like. What was eight of us?

[Zena Green]

Yeah, I counted. There was six of us.

[Joey]

How many people do you have on each of your teams too, by the way? How many do you have?

[Zena Green]

I've got 10, including two body makeup artists. But on a day like Halloween, I had like four extra artists.

[Joey]

Oh, my. And how many do you have?

[Kimmy Messina]

Usually we had. Usually we have eight to nine.

[Joey]

That's a lot of people. But it took all of them to try to get all the blood off of Robert.

[Jen]

It was crazy back there.

[Joey]

And like you said, it's the live component because it's an idea. You're like, okay, we're gonna have this fake blood come in and it's gonna be this awesome visual effect. And it was. But then you don't know how much blood there's actually gon. If it's going to get on the costume. And I think all of that in real time. The fact that people don't see how much you do. We have this area behind the ballroom called the breezeway. And I know it's a night that has costumes when that breezeway is packed, when you, like can't even walk through because your whole departments are just cleaning and changing things. And it's amazing what you guys accomplish in short periods of time. Kimmy, was there anyone's hair tonight that you were excited to do or any type of extra things about it?

[Kimmy Messina]

I really Loved Alex's hair. I thought that turned out really cool. But Dylan, I love Dylan.

[Joey]

Was that a wig?

[Kimmy Messina]

It wasn't a wig.

[Joey]

I didn't know he had that much hair.

[Kimmy Messina]

He doesn't. We filled him in with some extensions.

[Joey]

There it is. And, you know, he did that very well.

[Kimmy Messina]

And he's into the whole romance novel kind of guys. And he showed some photos of them as his creative process. And I said, we gotta do this.

[Joey]

I love it.

[Kimmy Messina]

We gotta do this. And I knew we would never get a wig on him. But I thought, you know, if I can match up his curl a little bit and stick some extensions in there and work it, like in a wet look, that. That would look really cool. And it looked so great. And then the veins on his neck.

[Joey]

Yeah, yeah, there's a lot.

[Zena Green]

I know all of that vein. And he had these cool, like, yellow contact, like, werewolf kind of contacts.

[Joey]

I love that he came in with a vision, too.

[Jan]

Yeah.

[Joey]

So is there anyone that's always game maybe out of the pros for different looks?

[Kimmy Messina]

I would say yes. Out of the pros. Yeah.

[Zena Green]

Alan's been really.

[Joey]

I got to see him.

[Zena Green]

I see it. Yeah, he was.

[Joey]

He was Martian with no ears this season. He was a donkey during our season. It was. It was terrifying. Yeah, you guys did great with that one. I wouldn't say, like, who's not down for looks, but is anyone maybe a little bit more reserved, like they want to just kind of look like themselves?

[Ilona Mar]

Yeah.

[Zena Green]

I think Whitney. I think we may have traumatized her with the Hellraiser ball cap and the pin sticking out of her head.

[Joey]

So put that photo up right now, because I feel like that doesn't usually look like Whitney.

[Ilona Mar]

She look cool, though.

[Joey]

Hey, that cool is good. Kimmy, did I hear earlier, because we talked to Alan a little bit earlier about the fact that we're so upset that Elaine got injured, and I'm glad that she's better. But did she have her hair done when that happened?

[Kimmy Messina]

So we were halfway done with her hair, and then she had it. We. They had to take her from us and take her to rehearsal. And then in rehearsal is when the incident happened for her. And I was like, oh, my God, should we go out there and try to take all that hair off of her if they're gonna take her to the hospital or what? You know, so because we had braids sewn on her and braids down the center side braids. We were working in the middle of the ponytail. We just kind of tied it up for her. So that she could run and do her rehearsal and, you know, get on with that so that we could come back and fix the ponytail up, but, you know, she had to leave with that.

[Joey]

Oh, my goodness. That's something you don't even prep for, obviously. But I really did think. I think there's something about Halloween that lets people get reminded about how special the work is you guys do. I know you bring other people in to help elevate it, but it is amazing what you guys do week to week and how you have this ability to elevate all these dances and help with these visions. And I'm just really happy we got you here to talk more about it because you deserve all the love and the shine that I can give you today. Thank you. Appreciate you coming in. Stick around, guys, because I'll be chatting with Jen and Yan, who are headed backstage to chat with me a little later. Exclusively right here.

[Kimmy Messina]

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[Jen]

So good, so good, so good.

[Ilona Mar]

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[Kimmy Messina]

Up to 70% on dresses, tops, boots, and handbags to give and get. Because I always find something amazing. Just so many good brands.

[Ilona Mar]

I get an extra 5% off with.

[Zena Green]

My Nordstrom credit card total queen treatment.

[Ilona Mar]

Join the Nordy Club at Nordstrom Rack.

[Kimmy Messina]

To unlock our best deals.

[Ilona Mar]

Big gifts, big perks. That's why you rack.

[Joey]

My next guests have had an incredible season, and I'm very sad to see them go. It's Jen and Yan.

[Alan Burson]

Hi, guys.

[Jan]

Hey.

[Ilona Mar]

Hey.

[Joey]

I know, I know it's obvious to say, like, how are you feeling? But I really do like this opportunity, as I always say, to talk more because it happens so quick and I know it's current. It just felt. But how are you feeling right now, Jen?

[Jen]

I just. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to feel this being eliminated, but I actually feel really grateful. I feel grateful for just the opportunity to be on Dancing with the Stars. It was always a dream of mine. And. And to be honest, like, I'm just proud of myself for, like.

[Zena Green]

I don't.

[Jen]

Know, everything that I've done, especially being postpartum. And my whole purpose behind going on this show was to not only, you know, be able to dance on the big stage in Front of millions of people, but to also inspire other moms that if I can do it, you can do it too. And to be honest, that's a win to me. The fact that I was able to share my story and impact so many other moms watching, that's a win to me. So. And also for my kids. I cannot wait to tell them about this journey.

[Joey]

And.

[Jen]

Yeah, I just. The fact that I was able to start this journey eight weeks postpartum, like, I. There's only positives to look back on. And we were able to end on such an amazing note. The fact that we ended on Taylor Swift with Taylor Swift's. One of Taylor Swift's main dancers. I mean, every. This was a dream come true.

[Joey]

So I think the word I'm feeling a lot is it's. It's gratitude. You could feel it. You could tell right when they asked you on Live, like, how are you feeling right now? There was almost a calmness that you had, because I think you had in that moment that ability to feel very grateful. And it's obvious you came in with a message to be able to show that I can do this, I can do anything if I put my mind to it. And I can tell how much that meant to you. It really is special to see.

[Jen]

Thank you.

[Joey]

Jan, how was it? How are you feeling? Because I know you have so much to be proud of with Jen, but what was it like having her as a partner and knowing what you guys accomplished on the show?

[Jan]

I mean, I couldn't ask for a better partner for the first season, maybe my last season. You never know. It was just the entire journey, like, seeing her from learning salsa steps and all the lifts, and I don't think I even realized that she was eight weeks postpartum. I didn't. I was just like, yeah, sure, you can do it. And then I read an online. Oh, did she pee or shoulder? I was like, what are you guys talking about? And then my friend explained it to me. I was like, wait, but how she can be so good in that. Like, it's not just about dance, but it's like her energy. She always bring in a studio. She was like, yeah, let's do it. She was like, let's do TikTok. So I was like, I hate TikTok. She somehow bring me to this dark side of TikTok. But, yeah, like, I'm new here. Like, we were learning together. I was trying my best to, like, show her dancing with the Stars world as much as I could. And I was trying to not that she's behind because I am new. I was always trying to bring, like, other opinions into the room. All my friends, like, does she look good at the end? And she always. Each week, she show so much. And, like, we were happy. We were crying. We were, like, sexy. We were doing everything. It's like. And no matter what other people say or whatever was happening, like, even tonight, I already told her. We ended up so strong. Like, our performance is what we had a vision with the troupe. The way that everyone's dancing and the musicality that she had with them, it's incredible. It's like, it's not just 1, 2. It's 1 and 2. It's a lot of musicality that it was in that. I watched the video after we came down and watched that. It was already posted. I was like, you know, you're so good. And I show her. I was like, look, it doesn't matter for the score. Look how good you are. It's like, all my friends, even, like, some of the, you know, Taylor's dancers, like, they were texting me. They were like, that was so too good, you know? So I'm just happy that we ended up with so strong and that she showed everyone that she was on this competition, like, fighting for it. She was great. She was clean. She was ready to work. She was sick and still coming next day. I was like, are you getting. She was like, okay. I was like, you're not okay. She's like, okay, but she's still working through. So I'm just happy that I. I was with her. And I think that experience I've been through, the sire would not be the same if I would not have her.

[Joey]

Jen, honestly, though, how does that feel to hear that? Because I really think you should take that in and realize that's a big deal to have a vision and to know that you try to accomplish something on a night and you actually do it to the point you can see your partner is blown away by it, to his friends texting him that. What does that feel like to you, to know that you did that tonight again?

[Jen]

I think, obviously it still sucks to go home. It's definitely a weird feeling, and it's shocking, but. But then again, yeah, I did the best I could. And the fact that, you know, I.

[Zena Green]

Think.

[Jen]

I'm just glad I ended up finished strong and finished with my best dance. I think it was my best dance.

[Joey]

Yes, absolutely. 100%.

[Jen]

And, yeah, I just. I feel just so grateful. And honestly, I'm really excited for everyone else that's still on the journey and I'm rooting for everyone. I'm excited to root for everyone at home and I'm honestly, like excited to just go home and hold my baby and be able to hold my, you know, have a break. A break in the postpartum experience. Because as much as I love this experience, nothing beats being a mom.

[Joey]

So, yeah, of course. And it is crazy. You came right to this after it, so you've barely gotten a chance, I'm sure, to just relax. There's early mornings and you said it's a journey. But Jan, you said earlier that you said maybe it's gonna be your last season. I hope it's not. I'll be the first to say I love seeing you on this show. I thought it was so amazing to see how it progressed from week to week. What was it like for your first season of Dancing with the Stars? It was great.

[Jan]

Look, it was great. It definitely was a new experience. I think I was just thrown in. It was like, hey, this is. You go in it. So I think that the first episode I was still trying to figure out where we're going. What is the skybox? What is this? I mean, look, I had so much support from production. I think you know how everyone's so sweet. The pros are always there. They were always cheering me up. Everyone's so nice. It's like a small family.

[Joey]

It is.

[Jan]

So, yeah, I felt supported. A lot of anxiety went in and then I was just scrolling too much on website and Instagram and TikTok and then you see all the hates and then get that's in your head and you're like, oh God, is this how influencer feel that? Like I'm not an influencer, but damn, that's a lot of hate. So I think that the. The last three weeks I was like, kind of get that out of my body and just be there for Jan the entire time. And I went a little bit off a tick tock and social media, I'm like, it's a lot, it's a lot of pressure for this job. And I, I think that the show is so big at the moment that. But it's even more pressure and everyone wants to stay relevant with all the comments and clicks. Clickbaits hate on people just to get a comment. But end of the day, like they're gonna close the app and get the views. But we are real people here and they don't know how they are hurting us. Even with the little comment being like, they suck. They can do the Entire conversation of thousand people saying, yeah, they do, and like, you just made something and they're happy that they got what, 200,000 and, like, views. Good luck. Good luck with that.

[Joey]

I think you touched on it. I think you touched on it. Well, the fact that the show has been doing so much more than it has in the past in terms of views, and that makes people become more online. And then there's gonna be. You've seen it with the shows you're on. I've seen it with the Bachelor when there is a lot of eyes on it. They become online, they have opinions. That's part of it. I do love that you guys did a really good job of focusing each week on what you guys were doing. I think that's what's most important. I know the packages can be quick sometimes and you don't get to see because it's a drop in the bucket on the whole show. Is there anything that you wish got a chance to be shown more throughout your guys journey?

[Jen]

Yeah, I wish they showed how much. Well, personally, I wish they showed how much I struggled. A lot was happening behind closed doors. You know, not only was I showing up and dancing for, you know, however many hours we were doing a day, but I was also being a mom, tending to three babies and working and doing so much. I really pushed myself mentally, physically, emotionally these past few months than ever before. And I think everyone just saw, like, the bubbly version of Jen and just like, laughing and smiling, which I feel like is me a lot of the time. But there was also a lot of moments where I was really, really struggling just because I wanted to stay in the competition for as possible. But obviously we. We've come to an end. And yeah, I'm grateful for everything I've learned and I feel like I'm honestly a better person, mom, friend because of it.

[Joey]

And Jen, I want to give you the opportunity now to say how much it meant to, like, have Jan as your partner, because I can see that this was a big partnership for you and I know Jan's going to love it. So if you want to say anything to him, I'd love to see that.

[Jan]

I can look away.

[Zena Green]

Stop it. Okay.

[Ilona Mar]

Go.

[Jen]

Man. I'm really grateful for Yawn and just. Just for everything. Just for honestly, I'm just grateful that he was my partner. Like, I really feel like we were meant to be partners. And whether you do another season or not, like, I. I truly believe this was, like, meant to be. And yeah, you made the experience just everything for me. Like, you were so patient. We had so much fun. And to be honest, I'm gonna look back on this journey for the rest of my life, and, yeah, this is honestly, like, the best experience because of you. And I'm so grateful.

[Jan]

You're the best.

[Joey]

I don't think I can end on anything other than that. I really am gonna miss seeing you guys in the ballroom. It was a dance I look forward to every week. But we can't wait to see you back for the finale and be able to dance again. But thank you for being here and talking with us, guys. We really appreciate it.

[Jen]

Thank you so much.

[Jan]

Thank you.

[Jen]

Thank you.

[Joey]

Well, ghosts and goblins, that is a wrap on Halloween night. I hope you all had as good of a Halloween as we did here in the ballroom. And make sure to watch Dancing with the Stars every Tuesday live on ABC and Disney plus and the next day on Hulu. And then come to get your exclusive look behind the scenes right here on the Dance with the Stars official podcast every Thursday on Disney plus and Hulu and wherever you get your podcasts, we'll see you guys next week. This has been a BBC Studios production for ABC and Disney plus.