Debi Mazar and Tom DeLay talk about 'Dancing with the Stars' exits

Debi Mazar has "no clue" why she was ousted from Dancing with the Stars ninth season during last night's live results show broadcast.


"I gave it my all.  I'm used to having other takes," said the actress during an appearance on last night's Jimmy Kimmel Live broadcast.  "It's hard.  It's really hard."

Mazar and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy were eliminated during the third week of the competition based on a combination of their judges scores from Monday night's performance episode and home viewer votes cast immediately following the broadcast.

In addition, former Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was forced to withdraw from the competition due to stress fractures in both his feet.  He also participated in the Kimmel appearance and was carted onto the stage in a wheelbarrow by Chmerkovskiy.

"Does that embarrass you at all?" asked Kimmel about the dance-related cause of the injuries.


"Frankly, a little bit," answered DeLay.  "A boy from Texas breaking his feet dancing?"

While DeLay had already been diagnosed with a pre-stress fracture in his right foot prior to the show's September premiere, during Monday night's broadcast he announced he had decided to ignore the advice of his doctor and producers and continue in the competition despite the newly-diagnosed dual stress fracture.

He said he never had any problems with his feet before appearing on the show.

"They put you in these Latin shoes with high heels," he told Kimmel.

DeLay was partnered with two-time Dancing with the Stars professional champ Cheryl Burke, and Kimmel asked her if their pairing was a result of her being "punished by the producers."


"That's what I thought in the beginning.  But now, I just injured him.  No, I'm just kidding," answered Burke.  "Tom's a great guy and I learned a lot from him.  We had a lot of fun together."

DeLay acknowledged that his Dancing with the Stars participation "shocked a few people," but not those who know him best.

"Actually, they weren't very surprised because if you really get to know me you know that I like to have fun.  I like to push the envelope," he said before turning his attention to Kimmel.  "I'm still upset that you don't think I can dance.  I'll take you to a Texas dance hall and show you a little Texas two-step."

"I'll carry you in there and we'll dance around," replied Kimmel.

Chmerkovskiy also denied Kimmel's accusation that he yelled at Mazar during rehearsals.


"I just looked at her and she started crying," said Chmerkovskiy.

"I heard there was some yelling?" replied Kimmel.

"Maybe from her, not from me," he answered.  "She's from Queens, I'm from Brooklyn -- so there's a lot of back and forth going on."

Kimmel also reiterated his belief that a few ninth-season celebrity participants have background in dance, giving them an unfair advantage -- and Mazar agreed.  She specifically singled out singer/actress Mya, who found herself atop the judges' leaderboard for the second consecutive week.

"I actually was so inspired.  Mya made me want to get up and dance," said Mazar.  "She's beautiful to look at, but she definitely had an advantage.  She's wonderful to watch.  She's got great moves, showmanship.  She leaves her nerves at home, which I couldn't."


Kimmel also asked about entertainer Donny Osmond, who is his favorite to take home the ninth-season mirror ball trophy.

"I think he's got a great chance along with some others.  This cast is one of the best casts," said DeLay.

Burke said she also thinks Osmond "has a chance."

"But I also think Mya has a chance.  You never know," added Burke.

Chmerkovskiy said both Osmond and Mya will make it far in the competition.


"He's going to be in the final, but Mya's going to win," predicted Chmerkovskiy.






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio