Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin saw her chances of winning the mirror ball trophy sink tonight after she and partner Alec Mazo were voted off 'Dancing With the Stars.' The ejection came as a shock, given Coughlin's solid performances throughout the competition (though she and Mazo scored low this week with their routine).AOL TV was backstage and spoke to Coughlin and Mazo on their surprise exit, as well as the rest of the pros and stars about the Michael Jackson tribute that was performed during tonight's results show.
Get the full backstage report below. -- By Michael Maloney
Natalie and Alec, how do you feel?Natalie: It's not that I wanted to win; I just wanted to stay in it. It's disappointing, because I went into the dance this week so excited. I was happy with how it turned out. But ... the judges didn't like it as much as we did.
Alec: I thought the judges could have been a little nicer. I'm clearly upset, but I think Natalie did everything in her power that she could have in order to stay on the show. There's nothing more we could have done.
What are your plans for the future?
Natalie: Get back into training. I've been on break for a year and a half. It's the longest break I've been on since I was six years old. I'm going to refocus on the London 2012 games.
Are you going to compete in the Olympics again?
Natalie: If I make it, sure!
Alec, what's next for you?
Alec: Edyta [Sliwinska] and I are going to take a week off. We have some other things coming up that we can't talk about yet.
Natalie, would you do another reality show?
Natalie: Probably not. People come here for different reasons. I wanted to learn how to dance. I hope to keep dancing. If I can work it into my training, I will.
Karina, did you think you and Aaron were going home instead of Natalie and Alec?Karina: Yes. I thought we were [done]. I don't like Tuesdays ... It should go Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday ...
Aaron, how did it feel when Carrie Ann invited you over to kiss and make up after her tough comments from last week?
Aaron: It felt good! I was really happy about that, actually. It was rewarding to get [positive] comments because we worked so hard.
What's Michael Irvin's secret to staying on the show after receiving so many low scores?
Karina: It's Michael Irvin! He's sweet, intelligent, charming and funny.
Aaron: [Laughs] It's football season!
Karina: We love him.
Aaron: Michael's an amazing person. He was there for me after I had a bad week.
Maks, what did you think of the Michael Jackson tribute?
Maks: It was special. For the show to be given this opportunity by the Jackson family was a big honor. We just wanted to do him justice.
Were you holding your breath until Joanna was called safe?Maks: Yes. I wanted her to have an amazing performance and she did.
Derek, you didn't get the flu by going shirtless last week ... did you?
Derek: [Laughs] No. Last week, we had a 15-hour day. I woke up at 3AM the next night and was sick as a dog. I felt well enough to dance this week, but I felt it wasn't fair to Joanna. I wanted her to have a great dance.
Joanna, how does Maks differ from Derek?
Joanna: He definitely has a different technique. I'd heard a lot about Maks, that he's the "bad boy of the ballroom." But he was patient and positive with me. There was nothing negative about my experience with him.
Louie, how did it feel when you and Chelsie were called safe?Louie: It was great. I felt we might have been in jeopardy, because we had the second-lowest score.
Do you think the snowboard fans are supporting you?
Louie: Yes. I check my Twitter account constantly. I appreciate the support and everyone voting for me. I can't thank them enough.
Melissa, it took awhile for you and Mark to be called safe. How did that feel?Melissa: It was a tough one. We were on the chopping block till the very end. Everyone performed really well this week. It's all about the fan votes.
Mark, how do you think the Michael Jackson tribute went?
Mark: I thought it was beautiful. We all tried to do our best. It was an honor to have his family in the audience.
Melissa: I thought it was right on from the moves to the songs to the costumes.
Kelly, how is your foot holding up?Kelly: It's sore. It really is and it hurts, but I'm not going to get it get to me. As long as I keep icing it and taking anti-inflammatory [medicine] I'm fine.
How do you feel about your Mom doing the new season of 'Celebrity Apprentice'?
She's loving it. She said she's working with some really cool women.
Louis, what did you think of the Michael Jackson tribute?
Louis: People may not have thought Michael's influence had much effect on ballroom dancing, but I think tonight we showed [otherwise].
Lacey and Mark, how'd it feel to be called safe early on?Lacey: We were so relieved [laughs]. Tuesdays were nice for once!
Mark: Everything else was cake, but you don't want anyone to go.
Lacey: Natalie's a great person. It's sad to see her be sad. She really wanted it.
Mark: She's an Olympian. She gave it her all.
Lacey, all of the pro dancers have had great things to say about Michael Jackson. Is it hard to separate the artist from the controversy?
Lacey: If you're an artist -- a dancer, singer, musician, actor -- whatever you are, that's your passion. It's your soul. Whatever else is a person's own business. People need to accept and appreciate what the art is in front of them.
Dmitry, did you pre-tape the Michael Jackson tribute?Dmitry: Yes. [But] I was still very nervous to perform in front of his family. It felt special to be in the moment and to be able to dance for them.
Mya, are you sad to see Natalie and Alec leave?
Mya: Yes. When I saw Natalie's tears I shed a couple myself. It was very surprising to all of us. To see someone go who's done so well from day one and is such a nice person is tough. This is an unpredictable season.
Dmitry has a cold. Are you afraid you'll catch it?
Mya: I don't think I will.
Dmitry: We use lots of Purell.
Donny and Kym, how did it feel to do the encore dance?Donny: There was a lot of pressure on me. I ended up improvising.
Kym: It felt great. Donny had me up in the air.
Donny: [Laughs] I didn't want to put her down!
What did you think of the Michael Jackson tribute?
Donny: It was great. I thought Mark [Ballas] did a great "moonwalk."
Kym: I loved that. He was a great. You can picture him doing it as a little boy in his rhinestone socks. So cute.
What did you think of Michael as an artist?
Kym: He was the best ... He had a style all of his own and it will live forever.
Michael: You think of the people who shaped pop culture. There's Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra ... Michael Jackson is at the top.
Next week there's a double elimination, correct?
Kym: Yes. Talk about pressure! This season's had a lot ... They're throwing a lot of things at us. It's exciting, but the stress level is definitely up there.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
I think it's good that the publlic votes are counted on this show. On the other hand, I wish the public would vote for dancing and entertainment skill instead of popularity of the contender in a completely different venue.
What a shame to see her go. However, she never really got relaxed in her routines. I know she really wanted to stay longer and she worked so hard. There are really so many couples that are so tight in the standings that they need to bring their "A Game" every week. Natalie is a beautiful gal and she has many opportunities in store for her. Hang in there sweetie.
It's no wonder that Natalie got knocked off after the ravaging criticism she received last night on the show. They held her to higher standands than any of the other dancers and they caused her elimination. Most of the men are pathetic dancers and the judges raved about them. This show has become one sorry reality show!
I THINK MICHAEL IRVIN SHOULDA GONE. HE CANT DANCE AND ALL HE DO IS FLIRT WITH HIS DANCING PARTNER. WONDER WHAT THEM TWO IS DOING. SHES ALWAYS HUGGIN ON HIM AND SO ON AND ON. HE NEED TO BE GONE. HIS DANCING IS HORRIFIC!
Your grammar is horrific
I am stunned that Natalie is gone. Her dance last week was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. with her athletic training she has a natural ability to be graceful and to give it her all.
I think Michael or Louie should have been the next to go. Irvin has no grace and Vito is a joke. He's immature and has no place in the final few. Aaron showed a maturity this week that surprised me. He can bring it when he wants to, and he now knows he can't get by just by being cute.
Anyone know of there is any truth to rumors of a romance between Aaron and Karina, 10 years his senior?
She was so beautiful and graceful. I can't believe she is gone either. There are others that should be gone instead. But, the people vote and popular or not thats how it happens. I thought watching Natalie dance was beautiful, the muscle tone in her body. It is a shame though there are some really bad dancers that are still on there instead. I was totally shocked to see her go. Natalie you were one of my favorites.
Please send Aaron home till he grows up & take Louie[Stan laurel]with him.
I think Donny Osmand has a very unfair advantage as he has been a performer all of his life.
Ya, but he's also old. Unless you're old enough to know what your body feels like, trying to do all those steps when you that old, you wouldn't know. I think his age counters his charm and charisma developed from being a performer, and that brings a balance to the unfairness of it all.