Makeup
“I have so many talented people working with me on the show. I couldn’t do it without them,” says Emmy-nominated makeup artist Heather Cummings, seen here touching up dancer Jessica Richens.
“I have so many talented people working with me on the show. I couldn’t do it without them,” says Emmy-nominated makeup artist Heather Cummings, seen here touching up dancer Jessica Richens.
Each week, Cummings develops themes for each dancing duo that she pulls from the Internet. The print-outs are taped up on the wall as inspiration for each of the makeup artists.
A rack of the contestants' costumes lines the hallway.
“I have the best time,” says judge Mary Murphy, 56. “I spend the entire day here getting in the mood and focusing 100 percent on these kids.”
“It’s nearly impossible to give the performances that they have in just hours [of rehearsals],” says ballroom dance champion Murphy.
Says executive producer Jeff Thacker (center): “Honestly, I didn’t think we’d get nominated this season. Sometimes programs get overlooked. We’ve had 11 seasons now, and this is our fourth consecutive nomination [for outstanding reality competition].”
Emmy nominee Cat Deeley, host for the past 10 seasons, remains in awe of the dancers: “They don’t do it for any other reason than they love it and can’t imagine not doing it.”
The dancers relax backstage between performances and watch their fellow contestants perform on a screen.
Carly Blaney gets her makeup touched up before she performs a hip-hop routine with Serge Onik.
“Every single time I sit there in front of talent, I’m just very grateful to have that position,” says Lythgoe.
Jessica Richens and Stanley Glover danced to Nikka Costa’s “Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter,” a jazz routine by Emmy-winning choreographer Tyce Diorio. “I want to throw up in a bucket; I’m so nervous,” said Diorio of his anxiety before the show.
Brooklyn Fullmer warms up for her jazz performance with partner Casey Askew to Michael Buble's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love."
During a commercial, the dancers take a break backstage, where plenty of juice and energy bars are provided to keep their blood sugar up.
Skeleton-clad Carly Blaney and Serge Onik performed a hip-hop routine — choreographed by Luther Brown — to Young Money’s “Senile.”
“Look on your journey as the end result rather than winning a competition” is the Zen-like advice Lythgoe gives his contestants.