Latest news with #foxtrot
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Dancing With The Stars' first elimination: Aussie icon sent home after BRUTAL slate from judges: 'Seven weeks wasted'
Dancing With The Stars ' first elimination of the 2025 season has seen a beloved Aussie icon dance their last dance. On Sunday night, this year's rookie ballroom dancers took to the dance floor in a heated battle for a spot in next week's lineup. Susie O'Neill, lovingly known as Madame Butterfly, struggled to move past her discomfort with close contact, a hurdle that saw her foxtrot receive low scores. Despite the phenomenal performances across the board, one 2025 participant had to bid farewell to the dancefloor and that star was Olympic swimmer Susie, who scored bottom of the leader board with 15 points. The judges admired her growing confidence and praised some of her footwork, but straight-shooter Craig Revel Horwood was brutal in his criticism. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Seven weeks and seven hours a day wasted, I'd say' he said. Despite the criticism, Madame Butterfly left with her head held high, beaming with pride as she expressed her gratitude for not only learning how to dance, but how to hug. Up first on Sunday was 7NEWS presenter Michael Usher, who raised temperatures with a fiery paso doble. Despite 'missing a matador position' and appearing 'too square', the judges were impressed with his characterisation and cape work. Similarly to Susie, AFL star Trent Cotchin overcame his unease with close proximity as he took on the foxtrot, which he dedicated to his family. The midfielder made a few footstep mistakes but was hailed for his storytelling ability, flowing movements and clear improvement. 'Something just clicked for you this week, I am so impressed with that change, well done!' said Sharna Burgess of the footy star's progress. This week, boxer Harry Garside showed his softer side in a moving contemporary number. Brittany Hockley (pictured left) closed the show with a bang, offering a high-energy samba with big risks that paid off - and nabbed her number one spot on the leader board with 31 points While his vulnerability was praised, Mark Wilson thought he had played it 'emotionally safe', which saw Helen Richey chime in with a challenge. 'I said you might be the heavyweight in this competition. Don't you prove me wrong Harry.' TV star Rebecca Gibney was the picture of grace as she took to the floor with the Viennese waltz, sweetly choreographed to her wedding song. The Gold Logie winner was hailed for her natural elegance, regal form and innate class, but was encouraged to work on her control and transitions. However, it was Brittany Hockley who closed the show with a bang, offering a high-energy samba with big risks that paid off - and nabbed her number one spot on the leader board with 31 points. 'For all the other competitors so far, they need to watch what you have just done,' Mark commended her, with Sharna and Helen mimicking his sentiments. Craig likened the samba to a Violet Crumble, calling it 'pretty brittle', but praised Brittany's determination and effort.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Dancing With The Stars viewers absolutely stunned as Michael Usher reveals incredible talent and emerges as favourite to win: 'He can dance?!'
Micheal Usher has emerged as a surprise favourite after Sunday night's premiere episode of Dancing With The Stars. The Channel Seven new anchor, 55, proved he has as much skill on the dance floor as he has behind the news desk as he scored big on his first round. He stunned the judges and viewers alike as he soaring to the top of the leaderboard with 27 points for his foxtrot with his dance partner Natalie Lowe. The panel was unanimous in its praise, highlighting Michael's musicality, footwork, and undeniable charisma. Fans tuning in at home were amazed to see Micheal's twinkle toes in action. 'Michael Usher! Very nice for a first performance!' wrote one person on X while another said, 'BREAKING NEWS Michael Usher can dance?' 'Musher!! I'm shook! That was genuinely smooth as silk' commented someone else on Instagram with another writing, 'Still not over this!!!' 'Absolutely the best so far. Well done for getting out of your comfort zone' wrote another. 'Wow Mr Michael Usher that was one incredible dance and to top the leaderboard on the first day is remarkable you should be very proud' yet one more commented. It was a dazzling night of celebrities and sequins as Dancing With The Stars returned to Channel 7 and 7plus, with hosts Sonia Kruger and Dr Chris Brown ushering in a fresh season of glitz, glamour and fierce competition. After introducing the 12 celebrities competing for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, the hosts split them into two groups – each set to hit the dance floor on alternate weeks – with six couples showcasing their moves in tonight's premiere episode. AFL Champion Trent Cotchin and partner Jess Raffa opened the night with an assertive tango, earning a score of 21. While judge Sharna Burgess praised it as a great start, Craig Revel Horwood thought it 'lacked any form of passion'. Brittany Hockley, podcaster and radio host, performed a cha-cha-cha with Craig Monley, also scoring 21. The judges acknowledged her nerves but saw clear potential, with Mark Wilson calling her 'vivacious', while Craig likened her to 'a drunk girl lost at a party'. Olympic boxer Harry Garside and partner Siobhan Power delivered a dynamic jive, complete with impressive lifts that had judge Mark on his feet demanding an encore. Despite a score of 21, opinions were split as Sharna saw promise but wanted more 'refinement', Craig described the performance as 'messy', while Helen Richey declared Harry might be 'the heavyweight in this competition'. Susie O'Neill aka Madame Butterfly and Lyu Masuda took on the tango, scoring the night's lowest with 13. While the performance was shaky, the judges admired her courage and noticeable improvement from rehearsals to stage. Closing the show, Australia's sweetheart Rebecca Gibney and partner Ian Waite delivered a cheeky cha-cha-cha, earning the second-highest score of 24. While technically flawed, the performance charmed the judges. 'So wrong, it was right,' said Mark. Even Craig admitted it was 'technically rubbish' but added that he loved it.
Time Out
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
'Urban Stomp: Dreams & Defiance on the Dance Floor' explores 200 years of NYC's dance history
The foxtrot, lindy hop, salsa, hustle and vogue all have roots in New York City, whether they were born here, shaped here or popularized in the city's clubs. A new exhibit at Museum of the City of New York turns the museum into a dance floor as it digs into the fascinating history and important role of these dances and more. ' Urban Stomp: Dreams & Defiance on the Dance Floor ' celebrates 200 years of social dance in New York City. It highlights the city's dance floors as sites for connection, creativity and joyful rebellion. You'll get to see everything from 1800s-era ball gowns to Louis Armstrong's trumpet to Celia Cruz's shoes to Big Daddy Kane's outfits. Plus, digital screens throughout the exhibition offer dance lessons—and it's nearly impossible not to move your body when the music starts. Grab your dancing shoes, and go see it now through February 22, 2026 in East Harlem. The exhibition is arranged chronologically, starting with ballroom-style dances, moving into ragtime, swinging into the swing era, dancing into mambo and migration, then focusing on the energy of hip-hop and ball culture. Then, 'Urban Stomp' explores how New Yorkers have remixed dance traditions from around the world, such as cumbia, bhangra, Yiddish dances, Indigenous American dances and dabke. Though the exhibit is organized chronologically as to when the dances started, each dance continues to live on, co-curator Derrick León Washington says. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Museum of the City of New York (@museumofcityny) As a final twist, there's an interactive dance floor where you can choose a record and play music to dance to. Unlike New York City's cabaret law—enacted in 1926 and repealed in 2017—which limited where people could legally dance, this space welcomes everyone to move, watch, record and build community through dance. 'It's a great way to understand New York, a lens to understand New York culture, understand New York history, understand the vibe of New York,' explains Sarah Henry, chief curator and deputy director of the Museum of the City of New York. 'And then New York is a great way to understand the evolution of social dance, how, not only how people create their culture, but also how they forge their identities.' It may be hard to imagine now, but New Yorkers in the 1800s were dancing at every major event—the arrival of dignitaries, charity galas, private balls and even civic events like the opening of the Erie Canal. 'Anything where New Yorkers were celebrating, just like you'd have a parade, you'd also have a ball,' Henry adds. By the turn of the 20th century, new rhythms and new kinds of dance started taking hold, with the roots of ragtime and swing, causing a 'moral panic' among those who wanted to police women's behavior in dance halls, she says. You'll also learn about the Harlem Renaissance, the emergence of Wepa and the power of the cypher. Crystal LaBeija serves as the figurehead for a section about ballroom culture and the genre's associated houses. In the section about hip-hop, you'll get a chance to learn dances like the Bart Simpson and the running man. The exhibit highlights the dialogue between music and dance, with Benny Goodman's clarinet, Miles Davis' trumpet and artifacts related to Billie Holiday. There's something for everyone in the show, which Washington called a space of 'fun, excitement, and joy' as well as learning. 'The dance floor is where the promise of New York is embodied.' 'The dance floor is where the promise of New York is embodied. You get to experience other cultures. You get to meet New Yorkers who you wouldn't have met before. You get to have this feeling of joy and collective celebration that is just palpable,' Henry says. 'This chance to come to this show gives every visitor an opportunity to be a part of that. And then we hope that they will take that knowledge and go out and seek some of these incredible dance opportunities.'
