LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Paula Abdul is a big supporter of Ariana Madix’s dancing abilities. The legend was a guest judge for ‘Music Video Night’ on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’
The celebrated choreographer tested 32 contestants as she keenly observed their routines.
Ariana Madix performs on Britney Spears' song
She was moved in particular by the performance of Ariana who, along with partner Pasha Pashkov, performed ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ by Britney Spears.
Paula said, “I think it was one of her best performances,” choreographing for artists like Debbie Gibson, George Michael, and The Pointer Sisters.
During the competition, Madix and Pashkov received a final score of 37/40 for the routine from Abdul and fellow judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli.
The score propelled 'Vanderpump Rules' star and her pro-partner to the top of the leaderboard and earned them immunity from next week’s 'Dance-Off' challenge round.
The 61-year-old also admired performances from ‘Music Video Night’ was Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev’s Janet Jackson-inspired jazz to ‘All For You.’
This brought memories for Abdul who has close connection with Janet.
Paula Abdul gives an insight into her bond with Janet Jackson
Abdul also touched upon her relationship with pal Janet Jackson. “I’ve had the proud honor, and I’m so grateful that my partnership as a choreographer for Janet, it opened so many big doors. So I’m always grateful for Janet," she said.
“But also Janet, I would say, would [use] fearlessness to counteract her shyness and make her like as fierce and formidable as a dancer,” she added.
“Charity, lovely, she hit all the dance steps. She’s wonderful, but to do a Janet Jackson [tribute], I feel like if she stepped into her power more and executed harder, people would have been shocked, you know? So I encourage her to become more powerful with her dancing because she is a contender," she continued.
The other contestants who performed during Abdul’s appearance were Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold, who honored tribute to *NSYNC, Alyson Hannigan channeling Christina Aguilera with Sasha Farber and Xochitl Gomez impersonating Gwen Stefani with help from Val Chmerkovskiy, reports PageSix.
“You know, people are saying, ‘Are you upset that no one did a routine to one of your songs?’ I was told by production that some of the people who left were going to be doing a routine,” the 'Rush Rush' singer shared.
“For me, the pressure was off. Because it would have been a little bit trickier to judge,” she added.
