Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Tom DeLay Dons Rhinestones for DWTS Debut

By Caroline Miller, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 21, 2009 2:28 PM CDT

(Newser) – Tom DeLay will make you laugh when he hits the dance floor tonight, and not just because he'll be wearing rhinestones for his Dancing With the Stars debut, predicts Emily Miller, who was DeLay's communications director when he was majority leader of the House. Miller, who was privy to a rehearsal, says her former boss really can dance, and the humor's intentional. She's not giving away any secrets, except to say that the cha-cha is involved, as is air guitar.

DeLay's partner, instructor, and choreographer, Cheryl Burke, tells Miller the only trouble she's had with her protégé is that at first he insisted on leading. "She said she finally had to say, 'I lead. It takes years to get to lead. Stop holding my hand so tight when you turn me so I can turn myself the other way.'" A sore foot is bothering him, but it may not be as bad as the case of nerves he's expecting tonight, since he's last on the lineup. Win or lose, Miller notes, "even as he was sweating in this seedy strip mall, he never looked happier."

[Images (3)]

[Videos (2)]

In this March 21, 2006 file photo, former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay smiles during a news conference in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tom DeLay and Cheryl Burke rehearsing for "Dancing With the Stars" (Entertainment Tonight)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Dancing with the Stars Tom DeLay & Cheryl Burke (DWTSSeasons)

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay debuts to "Wild Thing" on "Dancing With the Stars." (CNN Video)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Chaz Bono DWTS Pick Sparks Dialogue on Transgenders

ABC message board lights up with critics, defenders

(NEWSER) - If ABC wanted to generate buzz with the announcement of the new Dancing With the Stars cast , then it looks the selection of Chaz Bono was a wise choice. Tim Molloy of the Wrap notes that the show's message board has been besieged with comments about the transgender Bono, many of the I'm-not-watching-this-season variety. But Bono also has his fair share of defenders on the board, and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation welcomes the attention, notes the Daily News . More»

Model Knocked Out Cold on TV Dance Show

Hits head performing complex move

(NEWSER) - Dancing on a reality TV show, an Argentine model attempted a flip over her partner’s back, landed on her face, and was knocked out, Cleo reports. Rocio Guirao Diaz was performing on a show that pairs celebrities with unknowns looking to “dance for a dream.” She was quickly taken to the hospital, where she awoke with neck and nose injuries. More»

Jennifer Grey Wins Dancing WIth the Stars

Bristol Palin comes in 3rd amid voting glitches

(NEWSER) - Jennifer Grey overcame the competition—and an alleged Tea Party conspiracy —to become the 11th champion of Dancing With the Stars. The 50-year-old beat Bristol Palin, who finished third, and Kyle Massey to win the mirror ball, the AP reports. "I didn't think I was going to compete tonight—and I'm really glad I did," said Grey, who suffered a slipped disc before the finale. More»

Bristol Palin Comes in Last, Again

Not that that's ever made a difference before...

(NEWSER) - Surprising probably no one, Bristol Palin came in last once again during last night's Dancing With the Stars finals. Her jive got her a score of 27 and her freestyle a 25—but at least the freestyle involved an entertaining sequence with Palin dancing in a cage. Jennifer Grey came in first again, with perfect scores of 30 on both dances, while Disney star Kyle Massey came in second with a 27 and a 29, E! reports. Watch all the dances in the gallery, or click here to read why Bristol had maximum security surrounding her last night. More»

Bristol Survives on DWTS

Kurt Warner eliminated ahead of semi-finals

(NEWSER) - Bristol Palin has made it through to the semi-finals of Dancing With the Stars despite her tango with Mark Ballas having tied for the lowest score. Palin—amid suggestions that her survival is due to politically motivated voting —once again escaped elimination as viewer votes overcame low scores, Bloomberg reports. Former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner was eliminated instead. Singer Brandy Norwood, actress Jennifer Grey, and Disney Channel star Kyle Massey also made it through to the semis. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website