Anderson has this dance
Former Playboy model tries again for mirror-ball trophy
The last time Pamela Anderson competed on Dancing With the Stars, in 2010, she famously told Ellen DeGeneres, during an appearance on DeGeneres’ daytime talk show, that there was only one man in her life. That man was not the electrician ex-boyfriend — “The fuse is blown” on that one, Anderson said — but rather Australian professional ballroom dancer and Anderson’s then-newly assigned Dancing partner, Damian Whitewood.
“He has my undivided attention,” Anderson said, of Whitewood.
That was then, this is now.
As Anderson prepares to bust her latest dance moves on Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars — the all-star edition, featuring previous winners and past contestants, premières Monday on CTV and ABC — she has been paired with a different dance partner this time, Irish-born professional ballroom dancer and Dancing With the Stars veteran Tristan MacManus.
MacManus’ previous partners on Dancing With the Stars were Nancy Grace, in the show’s 13th season, and Gladys Knight, earlier this year.
Anderson, for her part, is determined to improve on her 2010 showing, when she was the sixth dancer to be eliminated, just three weeks short of the final, in a season won by Pussycat Dolls’ lead singer and former X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger. And why not? This time, barring wardrobe malfunction, an untimely slip on the dance floor or some particularly snippy comments from Dancing’s judges — hey, it can happen to the nicest of gals — Anderson is determined to take home the mirror ball trophy, or at least a piece of it.
The Ladysmith, B.C.born former Playboy model, Baywatch star, Borat scenestealer, PETA activist and 45-year-old mother of two has her work cut out for her, as does MacManus.
They will compete for the glamour prize against a field that includes not one but six previous winners, including original champion Kelly Monaco and the winners of the next three seasons, Drew Lachey, Emmitt Smith and Olympic champion speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno.
Anderson isn’t the only headline grabber, either: Bristol Palin, who finished third in Dancing’s 11th season, and Kirstie Alley, who finished runnerup in the 12th season, are also confirmed.
Dancing With the Stars executive-producer and showrunner Conrad Green noted the all-star edition is going to be different because six of the contestants — all previous winners — have never known the experience of being eliminated, as Anderson has.
“There can only be one winner …” Green said.