Leaving it all on the dance floor! Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy have been at the top of the leaderboard for three weeks in a row on Dancing With the Stars — but it hasn’t been easy.
27.09.2022 - 18:53 / thewrap.com
“Dancing With the Stars” Season 20 ended in pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy’s first mirrorball win – with celebrity partner Rumer Willis – and after hearing judge Carrie Ann Inaba suggest on Monday night she saw a similar chemistry in how he’s working with “Bachelorette” Gabby Windey, the ballroom star couldn’t help but reflect on the comparison.“That’s a huge compliment,” Chmerkovskiy told reporters over Zoom. “I think Rumer is an amazing artist. She had the right attitude when she entered the competition.
We had great chemistry because of that, because she wanted to be a student of dance; she loved dance; she loved this experience. And I gravitate to that. You know, that’s really where a lot of my chemistry comes from – my camaraderie with my partners comes from their dedication to this process.
And there are similarities because Gabby is that dedicated, and I hope, you know, Rumer’s season turned out to be a very fruitful one, a very successful one. So, I hope Gabby and I could have our own season that we can celebrate years down the road.”On Monday night’s show Windey and Chmerkovskiy performed a Viennese waltz, earning 32 out of a possible 40 points, landing them at the top of the leaderboard in a three-way tie with Charli D’Amelio and pro Mark Ballas, and Wayne Brady and his pro, Witney Carson. “I think we both worked our asses off, mostly me, this last week and just like getting the basics of ballroom and stuff. So that validation felt great,” Windey said during the same interview.
Leaving it all on the dance floor! Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy have been at the top of the leaderboard for three weeks in a row on Dancing With the Stars — but it hasn’t been easy.
Dancing with The Stars may be the most seasoned and experienced of professional dancers, but that doesn't make the judges they face any less intimidating!MORE: Lara Spencer keeps her promise and flies to LA to support Sam Champion on DWTSAt least that's what Val Chmerkovskiy thinks, who recently revealed who of the judges is the toughest to please, despite his impressive skills.The star has been on the dance competition show for over ten years, since 2011, and as its latest season progresses, he is having to impress not only fans, but also Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman.WATCH: Christie Brinkley breaks her arm during DWTS rehearsalsMORE: Dancing With the Stars: Inside Emma Slater's split from co-star Sasha FarberSpeaking to Us Weekly, he revealed just who is the most intimidating out of the four, and what they are really like behind-the-scenes."We have such a different relationship with the judges than I think people think we do," he admitted.Plus, though he acknowledged that most would find Len the most intimidating judge to face, he says for him not so much. He explained: "Obviously, the answer [for others] is Len because Len is, you know, he's kind of no-nonsense.
While Val Chmerkovskiy and the rest of the Dancing With the Stars couples compete for judges’ scores weekly, the esteemed panel has become somewhat notorious when it comes to articulating what they’re looking for.
Putting in the work. While discussing season 31 of Dancing With the Stars, Val Chmerkovskiy praised his partner Gabby Windey and opened up about how they work so well together.
Finally feels real! Gabby Windey and Erich Schwer couldn’t be happier about being able to show off their romance in public after the Bachelorette finale.
Gabby Windey has something to say about her performance kiss. The alum received a sweet on-stage smooch from her fiance, Erich Schwer, as she completed her Viennese walz to Elvis Presley's «Can't Help Falling in Love» on Monday night's show — but she tells ET backstage that the moment was filled with more nerves than passion. «I'd like to preface — my mouth was so dry,» she exclaims to ET's Matt Cohen when asked about the moment with Schwer. «Because of the nerves,» she continues, «but it was so sweet.» Val and Gabby danced to I can't help falling in love <3 #DWTSpic.twitter.com/EK0DU9pAwbMy heart ❤️
Can’t help falling in love! Bachelorette star Gabby Windey’s fiancé Erich Schwer visited her during rehearsal for Dancing With the Stars ahead of her Elvis Night performance.
Her final rose! Gabby Windey got engaged to Erich Schwer on season 19 of The Bachelorette, but like most relationships in Bachelor Nation, their journey was full of ups and downs.
A familiar feeling. Becca Kufrin compared Bachelorette winner Erich Schwer‘s blackface controversy to her former fiancé Garrett Yrigoen‘s 2018 social media scandal.
SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead, if you have not watched the Season 19 finale of “The Bachelorette,” which aired on Sept. 20... Did Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey find their happy ending? Heading into the second half of the two-part Bachelorette finale, both women maintained one final suitor. Rachel with Tino Franco — her first impression rose recipient whose family disapproved of their relationship — and Gabby with Erich Schwer — who Gabby worried was not ready to propose. Adding to the on-screen drama, both men had been tainted by off-screen rumors in real life, which host Jesse Palmer alluded to at the top of the live segment.
Erich Schwer had a lot to answer for when he and Gabby Windey reunited on The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose on Tuesday, September 20.
Getting their happy ending. Erich Schwer proposed to Gabby Windey during the season 19 finale of The Bachelorette on Tuesday, September 20.
Gabby Windey found her love! On Tuesday's season finale of , the nurse got engaged to Erich Schwer, a real estate analyst.After initially expressing interest in both Gabby and her co-lead, Rachel Recchia, Erich quickly moved firmly into the former's camp of suitors.At the largest group date in franchise history, Gabby told ET that Erich was «such a pleasant surprise.»«I was initially kind of fearful to explore my relationship with him, because he reminds me of the men I've dated in the past, but getting to know him, he really was such a sweet soul,» Gabby said of Erich. "… We have such an easy, vulnerable connection that I kind of can’t believe that it’s happening so fast.«The pair went on to have a one-on-one date that was anything but typical, as Gabby's grandpa joined them for a day of bowling.
Bachelorette bombshell. Season 19 finalist Erich Schwer is no stranger to controversy — and he once again found himself in hot water when texts between him and ex-girlfriend Amanda Kaylor were leaked last week.
Advice from the best! Gabby Windey revealed that she’s gotten a few tips from two former Bachelorettes who’ve also competed on — and won — Dancing With the Stars: Kaitlyn Bristowe and Hannah Brown.
Val Chmerkovskiy and his partner, Gabby Windey, got lots of love during the season premiere. The 36-year-old longtime dance pro and the 31-year-old alum were cheered on by Val's pregnant wife, Jenna Johnson, and Gabby's co-star, Rachel Recchia, in the audience. «That’s the game changer, you know, when you get married that becomes a part of your life, and having Jenna by my side --and Jenna loves Gabby the way she loves Gabby,» Val tells ET's Matt Cohen after their performance. «We love each other, me and Jenna,» Gabby agrees.
Val Chmerkovskiy and his partner Gabby Windey are getting lots of love in their premiere. The longtime pro, 36, and his partner, 31, were cheered on by Val's pregnant wife, Jenna Johnson, and Gabby's co-star, Rachel Recchia, in the audience. «It's that’s the game changer, you know, when you get married that becomes a part of your life, and having Jenna by my side --and Jenna loves Gabby the way, she loves Gabby,» Val tells ET's Matt Cohen after their performance. «We love each other, me and Jenna,» Gabby agrees.
Subtle shade? Several of Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia’s former suitors celebrated their Bachelorette friendship — with a seemingly pointed dig at finalist Tino Franco.
Gabby Windey has Rachel Recchia to thank for her gig. On the latest episode of SiriusXM's , Robert Mills, Senior Vice President, Alternative Series, Specials & Late-Night Programming, ABC Entertainment, revealed how the pilot pushed for her co-lead to compete on .«Gabby is actually on — and this is the God's honest truth — she's on because of Rachel,» Robert said. «When we were at CMA Fest in Nashville in June, we were having dinner and Rachel said, 'You have to put Gabby on.
It seems Erich Schwer is already in the hot seat before After the Final Rose. A former flame of Gabby Windey’s Bachelorette finalist has leaked alleged text messages suggesting that he didn’t go on the show for the right reasons.