Jenna Johnson, Val Chmerkovskiy Discuss Choreographing the Len Goodman Tribute
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Dancing with the Stars pros Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy choreographed the show’s recent tribute to late judge Len Goodman. In a new video, the couple shares how they put the routine together, with Johnson calling it a “love letter.”
Jenna Johnson, Val Chmerkovskiy Discuss Len Goodman Tribute
During this week’s episode of Dancing with the Stars, a number of former pro dancers returned to the show to remember Len Goodman, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 78. The returning pros joined this season’s pros for a Waltz to “Moon River.”
The routine was choreographed by Johnson and Chmerkovskiy. In a video posted to Instagram, Johnson said that they wanted to show “proper technique” in the routine, as Goodman would have wanted to see. She added, “You’ve never seen all of us on the floor like this before.”
Chmerkovskiy said that the return of several former pros added to “the purity and the history of this incredible ballroom that Len made what it is today.” Johnson said they had “a really emotional rehearsal” that morning, telling fans, “I hope you feel our love for Len, and how special he was in our lives.”
The video features footage from the dance’s rehearsal, including appearances from former pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Anna Trebunskaya, Edyta Sliwinska, Tony Dovolani, and Louis van Amstel.
SEE ALSO: WHY VAL CHMERKOVSKIY IS A ‘FAN’ OF BEING IN A ‘THROUPLE’ WITH WIFE JENNA JOHNSON, TYSON BECKFORD
Carrie Ann Inaba Called the Dance Beautiful
DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba spoke to Entertainment Tonight about this week’s tribute to Goodman, saying of the late judge, “It was hard because Len is so much a part of my experience on Dancing with the Stars. He always sat to my left, and I really miss him.”
“But I thought that the dancers did a beautiful job. They sort of brought him to life through that dance and all the beautiful things about Len — and there are so many beautiful things about him,” Inaba said. “But I think he would have been so proud.”
She and fellow judge Bruno Tonioli could be seen crying after the tribute. Inaba said they “were trying to be professional and hold it together, but sometimes you just can’t.”
