Las Vegas Weekly

September 17, 2009 · 11:58 AM

Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson show off their dance moves

By Robin Leach

Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson.

Photo: ABC TV

It’s now just four days before we see Donny Osmond’s first performance on Season 9 of Dancing With the Stars. Our Flamingo headliner and pro partner Kym Johnson have been rehearsing five hours each day in advance of next week’s three-night premiere, and they gave a private demonstration of their fancy footwork and salsa skills to TV executives and business insiders meeting in Pasadena, Calif.

ABC head honcho Steve McPherson kept Donny and Kym as a surprise closing routine after comedian Robin Williams had entertained the group, and Vegas DeLuxe has the first exclusive photos! The couple, heavily tipped already to go all the way to the finals, won a standing ovation for their dazzling dance demonstration.

Photo: ABC TV

Kym Johnson and Donny Osmond.

Last season’s injuries prompted producers to limit this new season’s 16 celebrities to just five rehearsal hours a day. Not only were Nancy O’Dell and Jewel unable to even dance on the show because of preliminary rehearsal injuries, but also after the season ended, runner-up Gilles Marini underwent surgery.

Kym has been rehearsing here with Donny at the same time he does his Strip show with sister Marie. Our other Vegas hopefuls, Chuck Liddell and Kelly Osbourne, have been rehearsing in Los Angeles. Despite the new rule, Republican and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, 62, reported that he had suffered a minor stress injury on his foot but that it wouldn’t KO him from Monday’s telecast.

Photo: ABC TV

Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson.

Photo: ABC TV

Kym Johnson and Donny Osmond. At far left is Dancing With the Stars host Tom Bergeron.

Vegas DeLuxe will have a sneak preview of the stars on Monday in advance of the Season 9 premiere, and each night, we’ll run our spoiler alert story immediately after the live East Coast broadcast.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

Share This