'Dancing With The Stars': Kym Johnson On Dance Duels, Jaleel White And Not Watching 'Family Matters'

Eliminated 'DWTS' Pro On Dance Duels & Not Watching 'Family Matters'

Kym Johnson may have been eliminated on "Dancing With the Stars" this week, but when HuffPost TV caught up with the professional dancer last week, Johnson and her partner Jaleel White were preparing for the now-infamous dance duel.

"For the viewers at home, it might be exciting, but for us, the dance duel is incredibly nerve-wracking," Johnson told HufPost TV via phone. "I haven't watched it back, but the split-screen is kind of bizarre. It's just a very stressful experience."

Despite impressing the judges in Week 1, White never lived up to the promise he showed in the Season 14 premiere. "I think we came out with such a bang and that may have hurt us," said Johnson. "I think everyone started off really well, so of course, we were all bound to fall a little bit. But I think Jaleel gets into his head a little bit too much, which limits us."

But in between the grueling schedule and the non-stop rehearsals, the "Dancing" couple managed to squeeze in a bit of fun. One of her behind-the-scenes highlights included teaching the former "Family Matter" star's young daughter how to do the quickstep. "She came into the studio, and I taught her the quickstep," said Johnson. "She picked it up really quick! That was adorable."

When HuffPost TV asked Johnson if she would ever consider returning to the competition circuit, she said she has no desire to compete for anything other than a Mirror Ball. "I did enjoy it while I was doing it," she said. "It really made me the dancer that I am. All of us used to compete together, so we all knew each other from these competitions. But it was very grueling, and I don't really miss it. I'm much happier doing the show!"

Unfortunately, Johnson won't be taking home the Mirror Ball this year, but there's always a chance that she'll be back next season to vie for the ultimate ballroom glory. And perhaps now that Johnson has a few weeks before she's needed in the ballroom, she can finally catch up on all nine seasons of "Family Matters."

"I actually never watched it, so I really didn't know who he was at first," Johnson said with a laugh. "I knew of the character, but I wasn't a big fan of the show."

Johnson is also currently promoting the new "Dancing With the Stars: Cardio Dance For Weight Loss" DVD, which she choreographed with fellow pro Mark Ballas. "On the show, the celebrities not only learn how to dance, but they also transform their bodies," said Johnson. "And it's all from dance. I don't go to the gym. I don't go running. I don't lift weights. I just dance."

When it comes to "Dancing With the Stars," the show has seen its fair share of incredible body transformations, but the one celebrity that impressed Johnson the most was Season 9's Kelly Osbourne. "In the end, she looked like an entirely different person. It was incredible," she said.

As for Johnson's Season 14 partner, White lost 13 pounds during his six week stint on the show. "It's not like he needed to lose weight, but now he's more toned. Jaleel said that he hasn't been this fit since he was in college."

"Dancing With the Stars" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Check out the Season 14 "Dancing With the Stars" contestants below:

Jack Wagner

'Dancing With The Stars' Season 14 Cast

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