SOT: DWTS Con 2026 with Hailey Bills

Summary

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The Danielle Fishel Shows

Episode: SOT: DWTS Con 2026 with Hailey Bills
Date: August 1, 2026
Host: Danielle Fishel (iHeartPodcasts)
Featured Guest: Hailey Bills

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Overview

This episode centers on Hailey Bills, rising star dancer and "Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS) troupe member, as she joins co-host Val Chmerkovskiy and the panel at DWTS Con 2026. The conversation is a lively, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to perform at a fan convention, the reality of hectic rehearsal schedules, and the joys and stresses of life as a dance pro. Hailey opens up about her journey, her hopes for next season, special moments from her time on tour, and her love for the DWTS community.

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Key Discussion Points

Intensity of DWTS Con Preparation

Timestamps: 02:21 – 06:07

• Hailey’s Schedule: Hailey reveals she's performing in "about 15 numbers" at the convention, most of which she learned in just three days.

  • "We just learned these dances a day ago, so of course it's not in the muscle memory yet... I'm also able to dance with people I haven't really danced with that much." — Hailey Bills (04:20)

• Dancing with New Partners: Hailey shares the excitement of dancing predominantly with Yawn, someone she hasn't often partnered with.

  • “I never dance with Yawn. We dance together the whole show. I kid you not.” (04:53)

• Panel’s Banter: The co-hosts joke about fellow pro Yawn’s “grumpy” demeanor, comparing him to a “grumpy buffalo,” yet all agree he secretly loves the camaraderie.

  • “He’s from the Balkans, right? He’s Slovenian, so he’s got that, like, Eastern Europe essence, which is, you know, we have a resting face.” — Paul (06:07)

Tour Life, Post-Tour Adventures & Reset

Timestamps: 06:40 – 10:01

• Celebrating Tour End: Hailey describes how she "relaxed and did nothing" after the grueling tour, highlighting a trip to Japan with her family as a major personal reset.

  • "My family, we went to Japan a few weeks after tour, which was unreal... I would move there in a heartbeat." (07:07)

• Favorite Japanese Discovery: Hailey’s simple pleasure—Japanese 7-Eleven food, drawing laughs and shared experiences from the panel.

  • "I'm gonna sound really lame, but I think 7-11 was my favorite food." (07:44)

• Returning to Normalcy: Upon returning to Utah, Hailey emphasizes enjoying a "normal" young adult life—seeing friends, driving, sleeping in her own bed.

  • “I've just been being normal, which I really, really miss... you miss doing normal things, like driving a car, sleeping in a bed, hanging out with my friends.” (09:26)

The Uncertainty of "Next Season" and Prolections

Timestamps: 10:01 – 11:44

• Will She Return? Hailey doesn’t know if she’ll be part of the next DWTS season, highlighting the unpredictability pros face.

  • “It's very unclear for all of us. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping because this is the dream... but, yeah, right now I'm just trying to be a part of it in any capacity.” (10:24)

• Numbers Game: Val explains how the number of booked celebrities each season dictates the pros' opportunities.

  • “So much of it is even just a numbers game of how many celebs do they want to book for a season.” (10:37)

• Loosening the Term ‘Celebrity’: The panel jokes about eligibility thresholds for celebrities, referencing past seasons.

  • “You know, we could always just loosen up the term celebrity.” — Val (11:24)

Reactions to DWTS: The Next Pro

Timestamps: 15:37 – 18:26

• Hailey’s Feelings: Hailey candidly admits her mixed emotions about the new competition spin-off “Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.”

  • “I would be lying if I said I didn't feel some sort of way... I think I just got a little unlucky with the timing of all of that. I think it's a really cool show idea, so I can't be negative towards it.” (15:52)

• Her Attitude: She chooses a mindset of gratitude, celebrating her unique journey through the troupe and tour, trusting “God’s timing.”

  • “I'm a big person of just everything happens for a reason, God's timing. So I'm just gonna trust, work hard on tour, try to do my best.” (16:44)

• Val’s Maze Analogy: Val compares career paths to a maze, reinforcing that there are many ways to succeed.

  • “I like to think of things in life as being like a maze where there's a lot of different paths to the same exit... The next pro is one correct answer to the end of the maze. And there doesn't mean that's the only one.” (17:16)

Interacting with Fans at DWTS Con

Timestamps: 18:30 – 20:40

• Dancing with the Fans Event: Hailey lights up talking about being paired to perform and even compete with a fan (Jacob), expressing excitement and a dash of nerves about choreographing a tango together in just two days.

  • “We come up with a dance... and they're going to have to whip this out in three days. And we're competing.” (19:19)
  • “We're tangoing it out. It's gonna be great.” (19:39)

• Fan-First Experience: She cherishes the rare, intimate contact with fans, emphasizing how DWTS Con puts pros and audiences together in unique ways.

  • "We are very intimate with the fans... We're never really like that. We get to hang out with them for three days straight." (18:33)

Fangirl Moments and Bonding Behind-the-Scenes

Timestamps: 20:40 – 22:46

• Meeting Dance Idols: Hailey “fangirls” particularly over Kim Johnson (who just celebrated her 50th birthday) and Hannah Brown, expressing heartfelt admiration for both.

  • “I've known about her for so long and she came to judge last year, but I never got to talk to her. So this is my first time actually having conversations with her. She's an angel.” (20:53)
  • “And also one more is Hannah Brown… She's so sweet. We've had quite a bit of time. We're on the same... Team Cha Cha together.” (21:15)

• Scheduling Chaos: The panel discusses the logistical headaches of group numbers when pros' schedules clash, humorously describing improvising absences with “invisible partners.”

  • “When you have this many people, there are a lot of schedules... it's like, okay, and now that's an eight count where somebody pretend they're there.” — Val (22:16)

The Value of Chaos and Humanity on Stage

Timestamps: 22:46 – 24:44

• Live Show Magic: Val argues that "a little bit of chaos" actually enhances live events, letting fans glimpse pro dancers' humanity through onstage mistakes and unscripted moments.
  • "A little bit of chaos makes the situation better... Your favorite memories are when the actors flip their lines... You want to see the humanity in us." (23:11)

Reflections, Learning, and Professional Growth

Timestamps: 24:44 – 28:48

• Body Doubles & Learning: An insightful conversation unfolds on the use of pros as stand-ins for “wides” and how different learning styles (visual vs. verbal) impact the ability to pick up choreography.

  • “When someone like Haley comes in... She gets it in five minutes. She's able to shoot the wide two times back to back. And I'm like, that's what it's supposed to look like.” — Val (26:07)
  • “If I walked into some sort of script I had to do, if I'm filming for a TV show, I would not be able to do that in... however long that takes you ... I've been doing this for so long.” — Hailey (28:23)

• Support and Admiration: Closing, Val and Hailey exchange mutual appreciation, promising continued admiration, support, and friendship regardless of who returns for the next season.

  • "Thank you. I will be rooting for you. Whatever happens next season, I will be rooting for you, screaming for you... you guys aren't gonna get rid of me." — Val (28:49)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I've never seen a single moment from you that is anything less than 100%... you were just spectacular.” — Val Chmerkovskiy (04:04)

• “I would move [to Japan] in a heartbeat. I loved everything about it. What I like about it is the people… so respectful, so smart. They get it done. It's so clean.” — Hailey Bills (07:15)

• “If I'm honest, I just really miss doing normal things, like driving a car, sleeping in a bed...” — Hailey Bills (09:26)

• “I'm a big person of just everything happens for a reason, God's timing.” — Hailey Bills (16:44)

• “I like to think of things in life as being like a maze... there’s a lot of different paths to the same exit.” — Val Chmerkovskiy (17:16)

• “We are very intimate with the fans... We get a hang out with them for three days straight.” — Hailey Bills (18:33)

• “A little bit of chaos makes the situation better... You want to see the humanity in us.” — Val Chmerkovskiy (23:11)

• “I just hope that you guys know that... I've been doing this for so long.” — Hailey Bills (28:28)

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Major Timestamps & Segments

• 02:34 — Hailey joins the show, discusses the demanding rehearsal schedule for DWTS Con
• 04:20 — Hailey shares feelings on learning 15 numbers in three days
• 07:15 — Japan trip after tour: reset, favorite foods, cultural observations
• 10:04 — Uncertainty and logistics around returning for the next season
• 15:37 — Thoughts on “Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro” and career mindset
• 18:33 — Preview of DWTS Con's unique fan experiences and “Dancing with the Fans”
• 20:53 — Hailey’s “fangirl” moments meeting Kim Johnson and Hannah Brown
• 22:46 — The chaos and spontaneity of live events and their appeal for fans
• 24:44 — Discussion of on-set learning, choreography ownership, and mutual appreciation

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Episode Tone & Style

Warm, honest, and uplifting, with a pulse of camaraderie. The panel is candid about the behind-the-scenes pressures of the dance world but always circles back to gratitude, growth, and connection—with big laughs and touching, real moments throughout.

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Transcript

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[Sam J]

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[Val Chmerkovskiy]

We're in the presence of greatness, Val.

[Sam J]

You know that.

[Paul]

Oh yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

This is someone we love. I would say that you know her better than I do.

[Paul]

Very well, as a matter of fact. Greatness rubs off, as you know. Greatness multiplies in proximity.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Not at all. It is in her jeans, of which you do not share.

[Paul]

No, I don't.

[Haley Bills]

Absolutely not.

[Bob Pittman]

You don't.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You do not. Welcome Ms. Haley Bills.

[Haley Bills]

Thank you. I'm so excited.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Can you believe he just did that? That is a running joke on Pod Meets World that I do that.

[Nancy Glass]

And the.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

My co hosts go, oh, God, don't do that. I'm just. Listen.

[Haley Bills]

It's meant to be.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

It's meant to be.

[Ari Chambers]

Love it.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Haley, we're talking to you on Dancing with the Stars con weekend.

[Haley Bills]

Yes. Ye.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

How many numbers are you a part of?

[Haley Bills]

I want to say 15.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I want to say that that's a joke. It is not.

[Haley Bills]

It's not a joke.

[Nancy Glass]

No.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah, 15.

[Paul]

Well, which is. Which is a good number if you have an ample amount of time to prepare. Let's just give it some context. It's 15 numbers you had to learn in three days.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yes.

[Paul]

And perform tomorrow.

[Haley Bills]

Yes.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

How are you feeling, though? Because when you are on stage, I have never seen a single moment from you that is anything less than 100%.

[Haley Bills]

Aw, thank you.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Even when you've, like, walked off and you've been like, well, messed that part up. Nope. No one would ever know. You were just spectacular.

[Haley Bills]

That was really nice.

[Ari Chambers]

Thank you. That means a lot.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

How are you feeling in these 15 numbers? Do you have one you're very, very nervous about or one you don't feel confident in?

[Haley Bills]

I mean, we are pulling a few numbers from our tour, which is great. We did that 97 times, so I'm feeling good about. But, I mean, like Val was saying, I. We just learned these dances a day ago, so of course it's not in the muscle memory yet. We're still thinking about the moves and all the things, but I'm really excited. I feel good about it, honestly. I'm lucky. I feel like I can pick things up, so I'm feeling just excited. I'm also able to dance with people I haven't really danced with that much.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Who are you dancing with?

[Haley Bills]

I don't like Yawn. I never dance with Yawn. We dance together the whole show. I kid you not.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

That's so fun.

[Haley Bills]

So I'm looking forward to it. It's gonna be fun.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

How funny is Jan?

[Haley Bills]

He's a character. I love him so much.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I do, too. When I saw him at rehearsal, I gave him a hug and I said, how. How did they get so lucky to get you? And he said, well, first they promised me I would only be in four numbers. I'm not in four numbers.

[Haley Bills]

I'm in at least 11. It's so, like, does he want to be here?

[Ari Chambers]

Does.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

It's part of his brand. I.

[Paul]

Part of his brand.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

It's part of his brand, too.

[Paul]

Yeah, he's the grumpy buffalo.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

He's a grump.

[Paul]

Shout out to a kid's book that I just love reading to Rome. But, yeah, he's the grumpy buffalo.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

He's a grumpy buffalo.

[Paul]

Until you do. You know this book? It's this huff puffalo, puffalo buffalo. And then he gets wet, and he becomes this little, little thing, and he's not as intimidating. That's kind of like, young.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah, I know.

[Haley Bills]

That is kind of like, yawn. I just. I know he secretly loves being around us, though. I know.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, he has to.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah, for sure.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Delightful.

[Haley Bills]

Oh, we are the best.

[Ari Chambers]

So fun.

[Haley Bills]

So fun.

[Paul]

I think. Look, he's from the Balkans, right? He's Slovenian, so he's got that, like, Eastern Europe essence, which is, you know, we have a resting face.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Rbf.

[Paul]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So he. He's on. On par with that.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay.

[Haley Bills]

No, I appreciate that. He keeps it real. He's, like, my favorite person in the world. So. Wow.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Val, just.

[Haley Bills]

Sorry.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

He visibly.

[Kerry Brownstein]

Right here,

[Haley Bills]

like, duh.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You met third.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah.

[Paul]

Third

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

verse just spilled out.

[Haley Bills]

No.

[Ari Chambers]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

What did you do in order to celebrate, or did you do anything to celebrate the end of tour? 97 dates? It was your first tour after having an incredible season on troupe for Dancing with the Stars. Then you did 97 shows like you mentioned. Did you do anything to celebrate?

[Haley Bills]

I think the thing I did to celebrate was relax and do nothing good. Which is ironic, but my family, we went to Japan a few weeks after tour, which was unreal.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Tell me everything about Japan.

[Haley Bills]

I would move there in a heartbeat.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Really? You liked it that much?

[Haley Bills]

I loved everything about it. What I like about it is the people.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay.

[Haley Bills]

They're just, like, precise with it. So respectful, so smart. They get it done. It's so clean. I don't know. I fell in love with it. I want to go back so bad, but that was a great little reset after tour.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Did you eat lots of wonderful food?

[Paul]

I was gonna say, well, I ate a lot. What was your favorite food that you discovered for the first time?

[Haley Bills]

I'm gonna sound really lame, But I think 711 was my favorite food that I.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Did you have those sandwiches from 7 11.

[Paul]

You know, I did triangle. Rice triangle thingies.

[Sam J]

Yeah.

[Paul]

Sandwiches.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Well, they have sandwiches.

[Haley Bills]

They have sandwiches. They have those.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Those. Yep.

[Haley Bills]

They have really great pastries.

[Paul]

Well, what people don't understand is that, like, our convenience stores or the. Like the.

[Sam J]

The.

[Paul]

The chains that aren't necessarily, like, showcasing the best cuisine.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah.

[Paul]

Overseas, they're like, yes, a plus plus establishments.

[Haley Bills]

No, they are. There's one every corner.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah.

[Haley Bills]

So good.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Did you buy any 711 merch while you were there?

[Haley Bills]

I wish I said. Okay. No, I didn't.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

No, you didn't. You're gonna.

[Haley Bills]

I don't even know if they had merch.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

They do. I just got a 7 11.

[Haley Bills]

Are you serious?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

No, you did not. That's how I know I'm gonna work. Next time you go, just have that. I didn't go. I haven't been. I had a friend who went and came home and brought me back a 7 11.

[Haley Bills]

Are you kidding me?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And it's the greatest. So then you. First of all, it's on your list of places to go again. Now you just know ahead of time. Now I know that you need to look for that.

[Haley Bills]

Oh, I will be purchasing.

[Kerry Brownstein]

Okay.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

So you. You went on a family trip to Japan. Loved it. And then did you come? Because that's. Even though you said I did a lot of nothing. That still going on.

[Haley Bills]

That's still something.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

That's a lot.

[Haley Bills]

Yes.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Did you get some time to, like, just sleep and. Do you. Do you have friends at home? Did you get to. Did you get to see friends and be a young person?

[Haley Bills]

Yes, in that after Japan, I came home to Utah. That's technically where I live.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay.

[Haley Bills]

That's what I've been doing for the past month and a half. I've just been being normal, which I really, really miss. Of course. Tour is great and unique and, like, I would not change that for the world. But also, you miss doing normal things, like driving a car.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Right.

[Haley Bills]

Sleeping in a bed, like, hanging out with my friends. So I was trying to do stuff like that when I was in Utah. I've been hanging out with friends. Yes, I have friends. And you got to see them.

[Nancy Glass]

No.

[Haley Bills]

And they're the best. They're from my school, so I've just been being a normal young adult. It's been awesome. Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And so what are we allowed to say?

[Bob Pittman]

What.

[Paul]

What.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

What do we have in store for next season for you? Do you know? I know, like, none of the pros. Nobody knows whether they're officially back. Have you heard anything? If you haven't heard Anything. It's all so surprising.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah. No, it's very unclear for all of us.

[Nancy Glass]

Okay.

[Haley Bills]

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping because this is the dream, but, yeah, right now I'm just trying to be a part of it in any capacity here at Con with you guys, but I don't know yet. We will see.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You know, so much of it I didn't realize in pre. Being a fan for previous seasons, I didn't realize how much of it is even just a numbers game of how many celebs do they want to book for a season?

[Haley Bills]

Oh, for sure.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Because, you know, last season, for season 34, there were 14 of us, which means, of course, they need 14 pros.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Well, what if they decide one year we're going big and we're doing 20? Well, now they're going to need 20 pros.

[Paul]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

So, you know, and then, of course, having a new show, Dancing with the Stars, the next pro, it's like, well, that's a new pro they're bringing on. So. Yeah, it's a. It's a little crazy. What did you think when you heard,

[Paul]

hopefully there's enough celebrities out there.

[Haley Bills]

Let's pray. That's praying.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You know, we could always just loosen up the term celebrity.

[Paul]

Oh, we have. There was a few seasons, we definitely loosened it up, but now we're back.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

We're better than ever.

[Paul]

Ever?

[Haley Bills]

Heck, yeah.

[Paul]

Ever.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah, for sure.

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[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I want my mtv.

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Those are powerful words.

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My something for me that felt like mine.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And want.

[Nancy Glass]

What a powerful word.

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[Haley Bills]

Turn around and place your hands behind your back.

[Paul]

The cops came into my house and threw me in jail.

[Nancy Glass]

And to Cindy's surprise, her fiance Kenny was charged with ab one of her children.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I never once doubted Kenny and I

[Haley Bills]

always doubted the accusation.

[Nancy Glass]

On season three of Burden of Guilt, you'll hear a story about the lengths someone will go to in order to get what they want.

[Paul]

This case has got to be one of the most despicable.

[Nancy Glass]

Listen to season three, a burden of guilt on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

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[Sam J]

Hey, what's up, y'?

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All?

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[Ari Chambers]

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[Sam J]

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[Val Chmerkovskiy]

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[Kerry Brownstein]

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[Fred Armisen]

And we'll also be joined by the people who helped bring it all to life. Guest stars, collaborators, and friends, including director Jonathan Krisel, the mayor himself, Kyle McLaughlin, legendary musician Amy Mann, and many more.

[Kerry Brownstein]

Kyle is going for it. Here you fully improvised. Not just words, but a song about.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Well, I thought he was going to write. I thought you were all going to write a song.

[Kerry Brownstein]

I remember you thinking that.

[Fred Armisen]

Listen to Podlandia AO rewatch on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Can I ask you.

[Haley Bills]

Yes.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

What was your feeling when you heard Dancing with the Stars, the next pro? Was there any part of you that was like, hello, I'm here and ready? I'm. You could just call me and I could do it. Did you feel that way?

[Haley Bills]

I mean, I would be lying if I said I didn't feel some sort of way.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah.

[Haley Bills]

I mean, I think I just got a little unlucky with the timing of all of that. I think it's a really cool show idea, so I can't be negative towards it. I think it's an awesome idea, and I think it's really entertaining. I've been watching it. It's funny. We were on tour, we were prepping for tour, and we had all hopped on this little meeting with Dina Katz, and she told us, like, it's officially happening. You guys are going in and out of Australia. And I remember just standing there being like, holy crap. Yes. Kind of like dying inside. But also, like, that's just not my route. Obviously, that's not my route, and that's okay. I'm a big person of just everything happens for a reason, God's timing. So I'm just gonna trust, work hard on tour, try to do my best. And also, like, I'm on tour.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah, you're on tour. And not. Not only that, but you having done Troop last season.

[Haley Bills]

Yes.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Must have been such a wonderful education for you.

[Haley Bills]

No, it was. And such a learning experience and a unique experience that not a lot of people get to have. So I also have to take a step back and look at where I am. I just experienced that for a year. I'm on tour, so I'm just going to choose to be grateful.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah. I like to think of things in life as being like a maze where there's a lot of different paths to the same exit. And so Dancing with the Stars, the next pro, is one correct answer to the end of the maze. And there doesn't mean that's the only one. It's just when you run into a hedge, you turn around and. And go a different direction until you get to the. The exit that you're looking for.

[Paul]

Totally. You could become a pro and then not be a pro.

[Nancy Glass]

Right.

[Paul]

You know, so it's like everything happens for a reason.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah.

[Paul]

You know, you got to be ready for the opportunity when it comes. Like, that's what luck is. Right. It's like preparation, meeting, opportunity. And so get the miles in. You got 15 numbers this weekend. Good for you. You know, that's. I feel like that's what you should be focused on. Everything else will. Will happen. Everything else will fall into place if you're excellent, if you're building value and. And she is incredibly valuable. I mean, as a dance, as a dancer in this field. I think this is a diamond.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah. There's nothing she can't do.

[Paul]

Everything else will fall into place at the right time. So I think you should feel really good.

[Haley Bills]

Thanks, Paul. No, I agree. You just never know.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

What are you most looking forward to this con weekend?

[Haley Bills]

Oh, I mean, I think one thing that is pretty obvious is that we are very intimate with the fans, which is. We're never really like that. We get a hang out with them for three days straight.

[Kerry Brownstein]

Yeah.

[Haley Bills]

Which is a very unique thing that we get to have. I think one of the most things I'm excited for. There's something called dancing with the fans.

[Bob Pittman]

Yes.

[Haley Bills]

And we are paired with a fan. And we. Are you paired with a fan too? Oh, my gosh. Yeah, I'm paired with a fan. No, I'm really excited. His name's Jacob. Shout out. Jacob of.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Have you guys been rehearsing before you got here or did you. No, it's been just. No.

[Haley Bills]

So that's what I'm really interested in, how it's going to work. We meet up with them tomorrow.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay.

[Haley Bills]

We come up with a dance. It's about a minute. And they're going to have to whip this out in three days. And we're competing.

[Bob Pittman]

Wow.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah. No, I know. It's going to be crazy.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, my God.

[Paul]

Not in three days. In one day.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

[Haley Bills]

No.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah.

[Paul]

Two days. Days.

[Haley Bills]

Two days. They competed on.

[Sam J]

Jacob.

[Paul]

You better start stretching.

[Haley Bills]

Start stretching. We're tangoing it out. It's gonna be great.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Gosh. My first week was a tango too, but we get three weeks. Jacob has two days.

[Haley Bills]

No, they are. Yeah. They have to lock in.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Jacob, I hope you're.

[Haley Bills]

Come on.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Dancer.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah. No, I don't know. I don't know. But we'll see. I'm really excited, though.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Do you know your music?

[Haley Bills]

I do know my music.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I love the simple dance. You do?

[Haley Bills]

Yes. It's applause. It'll be great.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, that's good.

[Haley Bills]

It'll be great.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And did you choreograph the entire thing?

[Haley Bills]

I did indeed.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I mean, again, look at this. Look at this. Opportunity.

[Paul]

Preparation.

[Haley Bills]

See, it's. Yes.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

So good.

[Nancy Glass]

You.

[Haley Bills]

It's such an opportunity.

[Paul]

Who knows? Maybe that's your next pro moment.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Exactly. Here it is, Jacob.

[Paul]

Don't let her down.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Don't let her down.

[Paul]

This is a lifelong dream here, Jacob.

[Haley Bills]

Don't get stressed.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You're gonna be great, Jacob, by the time you hear this, I hope you've all been well.

[Haley Bills]

I hope all has been well, like. But no, I'm very excited for that. I think it's gonna be super fun.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

That is gonna be a good time. Yeah. Have you. Is there anybody here that you are meeting for the first time that you just feel starstruck around?

[Haley Bills]

Oh, my gosh. A lot of people. I think one person is Kim Johnson.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yes.

[Haley Bills]

I've known about her for so long and she came to judge last year, but I never got to talk to her. So this is my first time actually having conversations with her. She's an angel.

[Paul]

She is.

[Haley Bills]

Oh, my gosh. She is the sweetest person ever. So I'm definitely fangirling over her a lot. And also one more is Hannah Brown.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, I love Hannah dying. She's so sweet. We've had quite a bit of time. We're on the same. We're on Team Cha Cha together.

[Haley Bills]

Yes.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And so we've had quite a bit of downtime to be able to. To talk and chat. I've really enjoyed her and Kim and I got to talk. Happy birthday to Kim.

[Haley Bills]

Oh, yeah.

[Commercial Announcer]

Happy birthday.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Just turned 50 and she is having. She had a huge birthday celebration. Flew friends and family out from Australia.

[Haley Bills]

So I didn't know that.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah, she had a big, big birthday celebration. And so, yeah, happy birthday to her.

[Haley Bills]

Happy birthday, Kim.

[Paul]

Happy birthday, Kim.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

This is going to be a good weekend for us to all celebrate her.

[Paul]

Get your butt down to Palm Springs because we share a dance section together. And I had to dance with Casper tonight. It's okay.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Happy birthday, K. I know at one point, too, when you're in a group number, you were dancing by yourself. And I looked around and I went, who's Val supposed to be dancing with? And everyone was like, oh, he's dancing with him. I was like, right, right. Okay. That makes sense. We also. That's another thing that about this con that's been a little difficult for all of us is that, of course, when you have this many people, there are a lot of schedules. Some people, myself included, have had to be like, I'm sorry, I'm not going to be able to be there for the first couple of hours because I have another work commitment. And so we Are how we have place shoulders. Or it's like, okay, and now that's an eight count where somebody pretend they're there.

[Haley Bills]

Pretend they're seriously 100.

[Sam J]

Yeah.

[Haley Bills]

No, there are some people that we haven't even seen yet, and they're gonna come in and just.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And do the damn thing.

[Haley Bills]

We'll hope for the best.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah.

[Haley Bills]

Yeah. No, it's been insane.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I do think that one of the. I'm not just saying this so that we feel better. I think one of the things that we need.

[Paul]

We need.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I'm trying to build up morale.

[Haley Bills]

Give it to me.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I think one of the things that will make this a more special experience for fans who are making this trek, flying in from out of town. I doubt there are a lot of Palm Springs residents who are going to be here. These are people who have either flown in or have driven from far to come and see what we're putting on this weekend. I think a little bit of chaos makes the situation better. When you are a fan of a sitcom and you go to the live taping, your favorite memories are when the actors flip their lives.

[Haley Bills]

Oh, my gosh.

[Bob Pittman]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Your favorite moments are not watching everybody nail it and get the thing you're getting on tv. You want to see. You want to see the humanity in us. And so what I can promise you, Dancing with the stars fans, there will be. You're going to be seeing humanity. There's going to be a lot of. A lot of that this weekend and possibly some flubs. And we're all just going to have to laugh along and. And know that what we're really here for is to interact with you and to connect with you. And so. Yeah. Well, Haley, I love you.

[Haley Bills]

I love you.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You are one of my favorite people. I'm so glad that I got to connect with you on tour because even though I loved you through the season, my time with you was very limited.

[Haley Bills]

No, you were locked in with Pasha.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah.

[Haley Bills]

Like, you didn't get a bond that

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

much as locked in. And then the only time I'd get to see you is when you would if I wasn't ready to do my.

[Kerry Brownstein]

Why?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Because we do them.

[Sam J]

Yes.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

The way too early.

[Haley Bills]

We were the wise.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah.

[Paul]

I'm curious how that makes the celebs feel.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, I'll tell you how it makes

[Paul]

feel because I try not to have, like, it's a. It's a balancing act because we don't want to put so much pressure on you to shoot this wide Even though we have to get it done. If you're not ready. We don't want to, like, push you beyond your comfortable comfort zone to shoot it right there if you have, like, two more days. But at the same time, I'm always. I try to not use another pro to do so.

[Sam J]

Right.

[Paul]

Because I. Yeah. Well, I have my reasons. But I'm curious what. What your feelings are on that.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

So, first of all, the wides are 12 noon on Thursday.

[Haley Bills]

We just started two days after show day.

[Paul]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Wednesday morning, you've had. Not Even if you have a 9am rehearsal or it's like end of day Thursday, if you have a 9am rehearsal, you have had a total of eight hours with a brand new dance after the live show.

[Haley Bills]

Unreal. Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And maybe. Maybe this isn't the case for every pro, but Pasha definitely made me feel. And not in a bad way. Made Just explained to me, like, we don't want to have a wide where you are less than 100% in the dance if you're not going to be able to go full out. We don't want to show that to anybody. Well, I still have all of Friday. I still have all of that, and I still have all of Sunday. The odds of me feeling like I can be 100% at the end of the second day are slim to none.

[Haley Bills]

Oh, yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And so I was happy to say, well, then you're right. I don't want the director to see me at 60% if that's all I'm able to give. But then when someone like Haley comes in and he goes, all right, I've got 26 minutes to teach you this entire routine. And I've been working on it for, oh, my God, eight hours. She gets it in five minutes. She's able to shoot the wide two times back to back. And I'm like, that's what it's supposed to look like.

[Paul]

Yeah. So I try not to do that to my celebs. Well, just because, again, I also want you to take very particular ownership of that choreography.

[Nancy Glass]

Yeah.

[Paul]

And when you see it on somebody else, even though it could be helpful,

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

it was definitely helpful because you pick

[Paul]

up little, you know, you just nuances. Right. There's things. There are things. As much as, you know, Pasha is an expert, I, too, you know, have my ways. There's a femininity to certain movement that we just won't be able to communicate as well as you can probably see another it.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And that was very helpful. I would record it and be like, I'm gonna go back and watch Haley. I want to know okay, well, that

[Haley Bills]

makes me happy, because I hope it wasn't a bad experience.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

It wasn't at all. No, it really was. It was things where I was like, oh, look at the way she did that. Okay, I love that. So it was. I mean, in a lot of ways, it was very educational, and I did feel like then the minute that was over and the wide was shot, I was like, all right, I've just watched somebody else do it. I've seen little things.

[Paul]

Gives you somewhere to go.

[Haley Bills]

Now, correct.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Somewhere to go. And even just similarly to, like, oh, the. If you know the best way to learn is to teach. I wasn't teaching, but watching someone else do it was a little like, are you good at learning by reading the notes or just hearing it? And it's like, for two days now, I've heard Pasha talk to me about it, but now I've read it.

[Paul]

Right.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Because I've seen it in front of me. So it was. It was very educational. But there is also that the first time it ever happened where I was like. Like, oh, I'm gonna throw up, because she just learned it too.

[Paul]

Yeah. Well, there's a moment of, like, when you're learning, you're like, wow, this is so difficult. Bosh, man. Are we really gonna get it? He's like, yeah, you will. This is gonna be a huge five days. And you're like, whoa. I'm on the brink of real, like, breakthrough here. And then someone comes in and learns in, like, five minutes. You're like, oh, oh.

[Haley Bills]

But then you have to think about, here's the thing. If I walked into some sort of script I had to do, if I'm filming for a TV show, I would not be able to do that in. However long that takes you.

[Kerry Brownstein]

Yeah.

[Haley Bills]

Ever. So, like, I've been doing this for so long. I just hope that you guys know that it was.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

It was a beautiful experience, and I loved every second of it, and I so enjoyed getting to know you on tour, so.

[Haley Bills]

Me too.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Thank you. I will be rooting for you. Whatever happens next season, I will be rooting for you, screaming for you. Not only at home, but you guys aren't gonna get rid of me. I will be in that damn ballroom every chance I get, just screaming your names.

[Haley Bills]

So yay.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Thank you.

[Haley Bills]

Love you. Thank you. Love you, Val.

[Kerry Brownstein]

Thanks.

[Paul]

Love you too.