Dancing's Derek Hough: Our Rumba Came Down to the Wire

Hey guys!

Thanks for your votes!

I can't believe we topped the leader board! Nastia was great. I'm so proud of her. It was a pretty hectic week last week and it's only going to get crazier, so to come out and kill it like she did last night was so awesome and encouraging. I was nervous because I hadn't seen her the whole weekend until Monday morning. If I hadn't made my flight, I wouldn't have gotten in until 10 a.m. Monday. I literally rushed to the airport and made the flight and got in at 2 a.m. We had rehearsal at 8 a.m. for two hours. We changed a few things and it was really down to the wire.

Over the weekend, I had to teach her via text! What happened was Henry was there to go over camera-blocking on Sunday. They don't really rehearse together because it's very loose. I saw the video and I got a little concerned and I started questioning my choreography. "I wanna change this and that." I got concerned about what looks good, so I just texted her and had them make a few adjustments. Nastia is a quick learner and she was able to do it. I think the rumba also really suited her and her flexibility. She's got beautiful legs and feet. I'm happy because we have the foundation for the Latin dances now. We have the technique and the connection, so hopefully we can start moving at a different pace.

We have the samba now and we cannot rehearse today because she has school. I'm trying to plan ahead and get ahead of the game, which I don't normally do, but I feel like I have to in this case. . I don't like pre-choreographing before I go in. I like doing things with my partner and seeing what works. If I do it before I see them, then I'm guessing and kind of forcing things onto them. Right now, I have nothing planned for the samba yet! It's much more difficult than rumba, so we'll see how it goes! We also have The ViewWednesday morning and then rehearsal and then rehearsal in the evening. Nastia was supposed to leave a day earlier this week, but I'm like, "I think you might wanna stay!"

I thought the show last night was great. So many fun dances! I was really bummed Redfoo left. Before the show, we were just eating and talking and sharing stories. He's such a cool, nice guy. I couldn't believe that he left. That routine was so good. I was laughing so hard during it. He was also loving the whole process and he wanted it so much. That's when you feel for people the most -- the ones who want it so badly and leave so early. I guess it's a little bit of solace to know that it was such a tight vote.

This week is also insane because New York Spring Spectacular is opening Thursday. I have to say I'm not really nervous. We've been in rehearsals and previews, so I just know I have to be ready. I'm more nervous about getting my samba choreographed. I literally have nothing planned right now!

Fingers crossed! See you Monday!

Derek