NORMAN — It’s just two days out from her 22nd birthday and a flight to Norman for a performance at Riverwind Casino, but currently Chelsie Hightower is doing stage blocking for her guest appearance on “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Still the petite “Dancing With the Stars” professional made time to visit with The Norman Transcript.
Transcript: So, have you been to Oklahoma before?
Chelsie: Yes, I think so, but not to Norman.
T: What do you have in store for us? Anything special up your sleeve?
C: I don’t think so. We’re coming to have fun, enjoy the moment and entertain. We’re just going to be dancing.
And dancing is exactly what she does. Hightower started dancing at age 9 and was truly serious by 14. Today, she’s on television and touring the United States.
Growing up in Orem, Utah, brought her into contact with Center Stage Dance Studio and siblings Derek Hough and Julianne Hough.
The Houghs also have been featured on “DWTS.”
“Acutally, it was while she was competing on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ that she was spotted by ‘Dancing with the Stars,’” her publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said in a telephone interview.
Snyder attributes Hightower’s success to one thing: basic honesty.
“She’s young and she stays true to herself,” Snyder said. “I think people gravitate to that.”
“Dancing With the Stars”
During the recently concluded Season 12, Chelsie Hightower was partnered with entertainer, actor, entrepreneur, philanthropist and basketball player, Romeo, formerly known as Lil’ Romeo.
The couple finished fifth overall.
Her first season saw her paired with seven-time All-Around World Rodeo Champion Ty Murray. They finished fourth in the competition.
“I loved Ty,” Hightower said. “He’s every bit as good and sweet and kind in person as he is on TV. He’s a gentleman and a good family man and husband to Jewel.”
Other “DWTS” partners include Olympic snowboarder Louie Vito for Season 9; “The Bachelor” Jake Pavelka for Season 10; and singer-songwriter Michael Bolton for Season 11.
It was a performance with Bolton that stands out in the memory of many viewers. The leather-clad, dog collar-wearing singer entered the stage on hands and knees from a doghouse facade.
“Sometimes you have to step up and try something different,” Hightower said in defense of the choreography. “It was an attempt to get him to loosen up and try something. We wouldn’t have done it if he wasn’t comfortable doing it.”
“I don’t think the entrance would have caused as much talk if he had done better with the rest of the dance,” she said. “But, he forgot most of the steps halfway through.”
It’s those forgotten steps that are quick to draw the criticism of “DWTS” judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli.
“They can be harsh with their criticism,” Hightower said. “But you have to remember that this is entertainment and they have to be as entertaining as possible.
“But, I brush it off and go on. At the end of the day, I don’t let it get to me.”
For now, she’s planning on another round of choreography and criticism.
“Oh, I plan to be back next season,” she said. “If they ask me, I’ll be back.”
