Ralph Macchio's 'Dancing with the Stars' 'Crash Course'
ETonline.com |
Ralph Macchio displayed impressive athleticism as Pat Morita's protégé in 'The Karate Kid' but that was over 25 years ago, so how has the former martial arts prodigy faired through his "Dancing with the Stars" rehearsals so far?
"My body is holding up," said Macchio. "It's a crash course in using muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints that have been sleeping for 25, 30 years and they're like, 'Yo, what is up?'"
Macchio admitted that the process of turning himself into a dancer has been painful, saying, "I'm sore. I had a little strain in my inner thigh yesterday so I spoke to someone on how to sort of ice that on and off and prevent that from becoming a bigger problem."
The former child actor said that he's found encouragement from his family, who has been pushing to join the program.
"My wife just said, 'You must do this,'" said Macchio. The ballroom contender also has an 18-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son, whom he said "are really rallying behind it."
Macchio also has an encouraging dance partner, Karina Smirnoff, whom he seems to get along with.
"We laugh an awful lot," Macchio said.
Karina said that she didn't think they were ready for the competition yet but that they're in a "good place to start fine tuning everything and bringing everything together and hopefully by [March] 21 the package will be ready."
Be sure to tune in to the season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars" Monday, March 21 on ABC.
