Tony Dovolani Describes Alarming 'DWTS' Injury
Dancing with the Stars' first All-Stars season may go down as the most talented in the show's history, but it may also be distinguished for its many scary neck and back injuries. Melissa Rycroft fell victim to one of those injuries, and now her partner Tony Dovolani reveals a frightening injury of his own.
While Dovolani was fortunately able to continue on with Monday night's dance under pain medication, he recounted the injury after the show that occurred following a lift that he and Rycroft performed while rehearsing their tango.
VIDEO: Melissa Rycroft Details Scary 'DWTS' Neck Injury
"In my dismount, I screwed up. I leaned over more than I was supposed to and all the weight went on my back, and my back got sprained," he said, demonstrating with his hands. "I just couldn't move. For the first time in my life, I could not move...I just fell right to the floor...I got scared, for the first time in my life."
Dovolani revealed that his decision to join Rycroft for their semi-finals dance was made in the hours before the show. The result was a score of 57.5 for their "caveman" hustle and Argentine tango set. Heading into the show's second consecutive double elimination, Rycroft expressed a lack of nerves.
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"You just don't feel it. It's not a confidence [thing] by any means," the TV personality said. "As overwhelming as this week has been for us, the fact that we went out and conquered the fear that was the Argentine tango, I'm happy. I don't think there's anything that Tony and I could have done more, so if it's our turn to go home tomorrow, it's our turn to go."
Although they have been rehearsing for the show for nearly three months now--which translates to well over 200 hours in the studio--most of the dancing duos weren't loathing the upcoming double elimination. As they emphasized, the onus is no longer with them to remain on the show.
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"At the end of the day, all you can do is go out and...do your dance, give your performance, and hope that the judges like it," said Hall of Fame football player Emmitt Smith. "If they don't, they give you a score [and] then you're hoping that the folks at home love what you did and they're supporting you all the way; that's all you can ask for."
Feeling the pressure the most out of the group was former Olympic gymnast, who is situated at the top of the leader board with 59 out of 60 points for her "knight rider" bhangra and Argentine tango with partner Derek Hough, who is nursing a herniated disc in his neck.
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"We've put a lot of effort into this season," said Johnson. "It was just proven tonight; every single person went out there and gave phenomenal performances. So, to even begin to guess who will go home tomorrow, nobody can know."
Find out which two couples will be eliminated tonight at 8 p.m. on ABC.