Nastia Liukin and Derek Hough have had a very successful, yet rough time this season on Dancing With The Stars. Both have been traveling back and forth as Liukin attends school at NYU and as Hough has been starring with The Rockettes in the show New York Spring Spectacular. In addition, Hough has suffered a major injury, where he had to even miss the show’s 10th anniversary special, which aired last week. Hough broke one toe and sprained his ankle on his other foot. For his routine with Liukin last week, he had to have dance pro Sasha Farber step in as her main partner and then had himself incorporated into the dance. It earned them nearly a perfect score for its execution as well as creativity with Hough seated most of the performance. Truly impressive.
In addition to DWTS, Hough and fellow dancer Mark Ballas have their show Mark & Derek’s Excellent Flip airing on HGTV at 11:00 p.m. on Mondays. As for Liukin, she’s juggling her long-distance relationship with boyfriend Matt Lombardi, school, and the show. Now she’s added another gig to her list as the Grand Marshal of Indianapolis 500. Liukin is very excited about the honor, telling WTHR:
I have very fond memories of competing and performing in Indianapolis, and I will actually be back again in August for the P&G Gymnastics Championships. I’m really honored to be the Grand Marshal for this year’s Indianapolis 500. It will be so exciting to witness ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ – I can’t wait!
The Indianapolis 500 will be held Sunday, May 24, 2015 on Memorial Day weekend. As for Derek Hough, he’s still healing from his injury, revealing in his TV Guide blog:
I’m trying be patient while doing everything I can to expedite the process. I’m still doing physiotherapy and taking herbs and using topical creams. The only thing I’m not doing is taking painkillers. I just don’t want anything artificial. But everything is ahead of schedule, so fingers crossed!
Hough also told ABC News:
I never want to let anybody down. I want to make sure that I fulfill my commitments, not just from a business standpoint but from a personal standpoint. I like to keep my word and follow through. … My big concern, too, was the tour this summer. That’s something I’ve been really looking forward to and I’m really, really excited about. It’s gonna be an amazing show and physically to do that show … I have to be in exceptional shape.
So, do you think that Derek Hough can take the mirrorball trophy once again, even while injured? If anyone can take him to the top, it’s Nastia Liukin.
