Kristi Yamaguchi Makes a Strong Dancing with the Stars Debut

Kristi Yamaguchi received the highest scores of the night on last night's Dancing with the Stars season six debut of the women. This was in stark contrast to tennis great Monica Seles who came in last place according to the judges scores. Most inspiring performance went to profoundly deaf actress Marlee Matlin who do incredibly well. She conceded in her taped video package that she can not hear the music or the beat. Her dancing must therefore be largely based on counting and timing (which I guess dancing is anyway). She said she relies on visual cues by watching her professional partner Fabian Sanchez.

But back to our beloved Kristi. Together with Mark Balas, the pair performed a fox trot and received a 9 from each of Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli for a total score of 27. Bruno revealed that Kristy Yamaguchi gave the best first round performance he had seen to date. Quite a compliment indeed. Her husband Bret Hedican and two daughters must have been very proud.

Dancing with the Stars - Kristi Yamaguchi with Mark Ballas Video - Week 1



The show returns next Monday with more performances before the double elimination scheduled for Tuesday. We'll be back with more pictures and video. I am confident Kristi Yamaguchi will be safe for many weeks to come.

Dancing with the Stars Cast Pictures

New Dancing with the Stars pictures of the season six cast:



Adam Carolla – Julianne Hough



Cristian de la Fuente – Cheryl Burke



Shannon Elizabeth – Derek Hough



Steve Guttenberg – Anna Trebunskaya



Mario – Karina Smirnoff



Marlee Matlin – Fabian Sanchez



Penn Jillette – Kym Johnson



Priscilla Presley – Louis Van Amstel



Monica Seles – Jonathon Roberts



Jason Taylor – Edyta Sliwinska



Marissa Jaret Winokur – Tony Dovolani

And of course



Kristi Yamaguchi – Mark Balas

The popular ABC series will begin its newest season debut on March 17, with a special two-part episode. The Olympic gold medalist has quickly risen to the top of many lists as a front runner as the one to beat.

Reigning champion from season 5, Helio Castroneves, has chosen Kristy Yamaguchi to win Dancing with the Stars season six.

The hosts, the judges, the orchestra and the cast; for those of us who look forward to our ballroom reality TV guilty pleasure, Monday night can’t come fast enough.

An recap of the premiere and more Dancing with the Stars Kristi Yamaguchi pictures will follow in the next post.

Kristi Yamaguchi Takes a Break from Dancing with the Stars

Kristi Yamaguchi took time off from rehearsing with her professional dance partner Mark Ballas, to serve as Honorary Chair for A Toast to the Triangle in Raleigh, NC. It is the second year in this role for the Olympic gold medalist. The dinner held on March 9th benefits the Tammy Lynn Center for Development Disabilities. Also joining Kristi at the event which happened to fall during the weeks leading up to the season six premier of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, was her husband Bret Hedican of the Carolina Hurricanes.



The Tammy Lynn Center offers education and support services to those with special needs. A Toast to the Triangle was first held in 1986 and is now held annually to raise funds for the TLCDD.

While it has been reported that Kristi has been undertaking long practice sessions with Mark Ballas in preparation for her Dancing with the Stars debut on March 17, it is great that the demands of the show did not prohibit her from participating in such a worthwhile event that she obviously cares deeply about. Kristi Yamaguchi is a true champion.