So this is an uninspired cast this season, at least on the surface. I was getting more and more dismayed at the dimness of the star power during the introductions. I didn’t even know who Chelsea Kane was at that point—they just called her a Disney star, and I was like, “Well, I never see her come up on BSCkids so she can’t be that important” (because my knowledge of tweeny stars is limited to what I see here). But she was charming in her introduction, a little bit cute and a little bit sweet.
Then she and Mark (who is probably the best partner for the shy(?) young ingénues on this show) danced, and I was shocked at how easy she made it look.
Who IS this girl? She was the first one out on the floor, and she just tore it up on the Foxtrot. She was elegant, she was charismatic, she was confident–or at least faking it beautifully for someone who didn’t even get a prom. And since Chelsea came out from the gate getting actually critique on her movement, I think that means the judges were surprised by her, too. Usually first comments on a star are platitudes unless it’s just really atrocious, so that the judges came right out and gave her instructions means they liked her.
Total score 21, which is not bad at all for an opening night score, and puts her among several people in third place behind Ralph Macchio and–surprisingly enough, though deservedly so–Kirstie Alley.
I am curious to see how much Chelsea can improve from here. I expect the ballroom rounds will be easy for her…the Latin rounds might be more challenging. Especially if she’s coming out of the Disney mold, which tends, I think, to avoid the booty-popping and hip-shaking that Latin needs to be successful. However…might she have just discovered the secret path to transitioning AGE APPROPRIATELY from Disney role model to full-fledged starlet? Time will tell….
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