Backstage Report: Albert Reed Gets 'Dancing' Boot

The Young Model and His Fellow Co-Stars React to His Shocking Exit

October 3 -- In a twist that shocked many, dark horse celebrity contestant Albert Reed, the hunky model who promised to take his shirt off if he advanced in the 'Dancing With The Stars' competition, was voted off the ABC reality program Tuesday night.

"It's just the way things work out," he philosophically told AOL TV's Michael Maloney immediately after the results show. "In life you have these wonderful experiences. They don't work out the way you [fully] plan, but it's about the way you rebound and keep pushing forward."

"It came out of left field," continued Reed of his being ousted along with partner Anna Trebunskaya. "We thought we were going to make it to the end. [But] I knew in my gut when I was up against Wayne Newton in the final two that it wasn't going to work out."

"[Now,] you won't get to see the shirt off," lamented a half-jesting Trebunskaya.

Reed's fellow competitors were saddened -- and stunned -- to see him go. "It was a shock, to be honest," said dancer Julianne Hough, who, along with her partner, racecar driver Helio Castroneves, are both favorites of the judges. "We didn't know who was going to go home. It sucks that somebody has to go because we're all so close."

Celebrities and dancers agreed that having an established fan base helps keep you in the game. "You can be the best dancer in this competition but if nobody supports you, [you're out]," said Hough.

Dallas Mavericks owner/entrepreneur Mark Cuban credits online voters for sending him and his partner Kym Johnson onto the next round. "One of the reasons that I wanted to talk to AOL is because I think that the Internet has a lot to do with us getting votes," Cuban said. "People rallied behind us. I blogged about the show. The fans got behind us."

Dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who's partnered with Melanie Brown (aka "Scary Spice"), was happily surprised to see Cuban make this week's cut. "We were shocked to see that Mark got saved because of his low scores," said Chmerkovskiy. "But it goes to show that the fans are the deciding factor. They said, 'We really believe in his performance.'"

Cuban's also gotten favorable votes on losing his goatee. "My wife likes it," said the newly clean-shaven contestant. "Kym likes it, too. I'm keeping this look. [Laughs] Maybe I'll go to a Mohawk next!"

Sadly, one celebrity who wasn't on hand to bid Reed adieu was Jane Seymour. The British actress' mother, Mieke Frankenberg, died Tuesday morning due to complications from a stroke she suffered earlier this year. She was 92. 'Dancing' host Tom Bergeron announced during the program that Seymour is set to return to the competition next week after she returns from England.



Celebrities and dancers asked Newton to speak for them all and send out well wishes to Seymour during the results program. "Wayne has such a huge heart," said actress/recording artist Sabrina Bryan of 'The Cheetah Girls.' "We knew he'd be able to convey everyone's heartfelt feelings towards Jane and her family and let them know that our prayers are with them."

"We all love Jane," shared Newton. "And we all love Albert, who's leaving us tonight."

Newton, who ranked in the bottom two with Reed, remains in the competition. His dancing partner, Cheryl Burke, is traveling to Las Vegas [where Newton lives] so they can rehearse for next week's routine. Burke said that she doesn't gamble while in Sin City, but Newton politely begged to differ. "She gambles," Newton said with a smile. "She comes into the dance studio with me. That's a gamble!"

Don't expect Reed to remain idle now that he's off the show. "We've got some [movie] deals on the table and I'm doing a country music album," he shared. "It's more to the jazz side of things and we'll have some blues in there, too."

The model/singer says he'd like to see Marie Osmond take home the winning trophy during the 'Dancing' finale. "I grew attached to her," Reed said. "And Jonathan [Roberts, Marie's partner] is [my partner] Anna's husband. I love everybody on the show, but I hope they do well. Marie's a sweetheart."

"I so love him," Osmond told AOL after learning that Reed would like to see her become the champion. "The amazing thing about this show is that I don't think there are any losers. America may not have known Albert before, but they do now. He's just as cute, charming and sweet on the inside. He really is a nice person."

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