Alongside “DWTS” partner Mark Ballas, VanZant nabbed 59 out of 60 points on the first night of the finale, with a flawless score of 30 for their final jive-salsa fusion routine.
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Following their Monday dance, Ballas told the judges through tears how proud he was that VanZant was able to summon the pain of being bullied as a child in OR and translate it in dancing, movingly, to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.
“The show did force me to open up”.
“I’ve been out of the fight world for a long time, so I miss punching people so bad!” And hopefully people get out there and vote for me.
Paige VanZant waves to the cameras while arriving at ABC Studios for Good Morning America in New York City on Wednesday morning (May 25).
“It’s been unbelievable and I’m just so thankful that I got to have this opportunity”, VanZant said after the results were revealed. “I couldn’t be happier with how all it all turned out, and I couldn’t be happier for Nyle”.
Rousey, who appeared in last summer’s box office bomb, “Entourage”, allegedly cursed out VanZant on the set of a Reebok shoot after the 115-pound beauty congratulated Holly Holm on her knockout performance over Rousey last fall. The duo danced to the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, and VanZant said she could really relate to the song.
With a near DWTS victory and a possible burgeoning career in Hollywood on the horizon, it will be interesting to see when (or if) she’ll have time to get back to mixed martial arts.
On enjoying the experience: “It was really fun, and I wouldn’t change it for anything else”.
“She was pegged as the bookmakers” favorite to win – but in the end, Paige VanZant finished as the runner-up on the 22nd season of “Dancing with the Stars”. “I’m ready to get back in the cage and fight again”.
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“Paige and I were moving as one”, Ballas explained.
