Iman Shumpert Wins 'Dancing With The Stars' ... LeBron Celebrates
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Iman Shumpert is a champion once again ... and just like coming back from a 3-1 lead, it was a shocking upset win.
The former Cavs guard -- who made history when he became the first former pro hoops player to advance to the finals of "Dancing with the Stars" last week -- took home the Mirror Ball trophy with his partner, Daniella, after a freestyle dance that had all of social media talking.
Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach dance Freestyle to “Lose Control / Bounce” by Missy Elliott ft. Ciara & Fat Man Scoop / DJ Clent on the Dancing with the Stars Finale! pic.twitter.com/hv5L3r3di6
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@DancingABC) November 23, 2021 @DancingABC
It was a nail-biter 'til the end ... and a lot of folks thought Siwa was going to take it all. But, there can only be one winner, and it was the 6'5" hooper crowned champ.
Shumpert is the first NBA player to ever win it all ... joining other pro athletes like Emmitt Smith, Shawn Johnson, Hines Ward and more who have come in first.
Shump's fellow Cavs champ LeBron James gave a big shoutout to Iman after the win ... saying, "Congrats bro!! That's so (fire emoji)"
As we previously reported, Iman's wife, Teyana Taylor told us before the show the NBAer had an advantage after spending countless hours at her dance rehearsals -- and it clearly paid off!!
Shumpert tasted victory in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers ... becoming the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win it all.
Enjoy the win, Shump!!
Iman Shumpert Hits LeBron Celly While Shirtless ... In Epic 'DWTS' Routine
A topless Iman Shumpert lifted his partner over his head AND shouted out LeBron James in his "Dancing With The Stars" routine Monday -- and it was epic!!
The former Knicks star -- who became the first ex-NBA player to advance to the finals of "DWTS" this week -- pulled it all off during his jazz dance with Daniella Karagach.
The two grooved to Kanye West's "Dark Fantasy" ... opening up the performance with Shumpert hoisting Karagach over his head before walking her down the stairs and onto the stage.
Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach dance Jazz to “Dark Fantasy” by Kanye West on the Dancing with the Stars Semi-Finals! pic.twitter.com/YyDKq7UiO3
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@DancingABC) November 16, 2021 @DancingABC
The duo put on quite the show ... and then Shumpert broke out LBJ's signature "Silencer" celebration.
Check out the clip, you can see Shump -- who won a championship with LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2016 -- pushed his hands down violently, like James does, before beating his chest in classic LBJ-fashion.
The two scored a 38 out of 40 for the work ... and are now set to compete for the Mirrorball trophy with three other couples next week.
Good luck, Iman!
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LeBron James Freaks Out Over Iman's Perfect 40 ... On 'DWTS'
Iman Shumpert not only wowed the judges on "Dancing With The Stars" on Monday, he also impressed his good friend LeBron James ... who went crazy after his ex-teammate got a perfect score!!
Shump and partner Daniella Karagach had an incredible routine based on the Jordan Peele flick "Us" for the 'DWTS' horror-themed show ... dancing to the eerie "I Got 5 On It" remix.
Iman used his athleticism throughout the dance ... and even had DK standing on his shoulders -- mind you, he's 6'5"!!
omg iman shumpert just got a 40/40 on dancing with the stars. he's incredible. pic.twitter.com/iA8uu8Wrda
— whitney medworth (@its_whitney) October 26, 2021 @its_whitney
The dynamic duo got 10s across the board -- and Derek Hough even wanted to give them an 11 score, saying, "That was something people are going to watch over and over and over."
King James made sure to check out Iman's performance ... and needless to say, the dude was ecstatic over the perfect score.
"Man my G Iman Shumpert in his f'n bag!!!!!!" James said on social media.
"LFG. Don't even try to front, just respect the conglomerate!"
Dwyane Wade also caught the act, saying, "Stop playing with this man Iman Shumpert."
It seems to come natural for Iman -- remember, his wife Teyana Taylor told us last month he'd always be at her rehearsals ... so he's clearly learned a thing or two along the way.
Keep it up, Iman.
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Teyana Taylor Of Course, Iman Is Amazing on 'DWTS' ... He's Always In My Rehearsals!!!
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Teyana Taylor is not surprised her husband, ex-NBA star Iman Shumpert is beastin' on "Dancing With The Stars" ... telling TMZ Sports she expects it 'cause he's always at her dance rehearsals.
Taylor is known for her amazing moves -- notably the Kanye West music video "Fade" -- so we had to ask if she gave her hubby any tips for 'DWTS.'
"I mean he's always at all my rehearsals," the singer and dancer tells us at LAX this week.
"He's always jumpin' in my rehearsals dancing with me."
Why tf did Iman Shumpert just eat like this on dancing with the stars 😂👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/js7Wl85Ocs
— Matthew Smith (@parrainsmith) September 21, 2021 @parrainsmith
And, she thinks Shump is doin' his thing! He delivered a dope performance to Outkast's "Hey Ya!" with Daniella Karagach for his debut dance last week. Shump then followed up with the rumba to Donell Jones' "You Know What's Up" on Monday.
"I think he's doing amazing. The lines, the techniques, his versatility. I love it!"
No adjustments needed, either ... Taylor tells us there's nothing she would advise him to change.
"He just needs to keep being perfect and keep having that authenticity and keep having fun with it."
Can he win the whole thing?! Taylor thinks so. Next eliminations go down next Monday.
Stay tuned!
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Kenya Moore Bravo's Ultimatum ... Housewives or 'DWTS'!!!
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Kenya Moore's decision to join "Dancing With the Stars" pissed off her bosses at the network where she got famous -- so much so, they tried to force her into a very tough decision.
Sources connected to 'Housewives' production tell us ... when 'DWTS' approached Kenya months ago about being on its new season, she immediately ran it up the flag pole at True Entertainment, the production company behind "Real Housewives of Atlanta," and there was no issue.
However, the problems started when we broke the story Kenya was officially signed on for the 30th season of 'DWTS.' We're told that's when Bravo came to Kenya and told her to choose one show or the other.
What's bizarre about that is ... lots of other Housewives have done 'DWTS' before without Bravo raising a stink. Erika Jayne, Kim Zolciak-Biermann, Nene Leakes and Lisa Vanderpump were all on the ABC show ... and Lisa even filmed for 'RHOBH' during the dance competition.
Ultimately, we're told Bravo blinked in the standoff with Kenya, and relented she could do both shows, but with one condition -- there won't be any crossover, a la Vanderpump.
Bravo won't feature Kenya's time in L.A. shooting for 'Dancing' when the new season of 'RHOA' begins.
Kenya's been killing it with her dance partner, Brandon Armstrong, but once her ballroom time is up ... our sources say she'll be back in Atlanta to shoot for the 14th season of 'RHOA.'
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Spice Girls' Mel C Arrives in L.A. for 'Dancing' Debut ... 'DWTS' is Getting Sporty!!!
Mel C is here to tell us what we really, really want -- and that would be ... that she's joining "Dancing With the Stars," so things are sure to get sporty!
The Spice Girls singer was spotted wearing a visor on her way to the ABC Studios lot Tuesday to get ready for some two-steppin' for the upcoming 30th season of 'DWTS.'
She's a great addition to a lineup that's full of celebs from this day and age, and even before. As we've reported, Mel's joining the likes of "90210" star Brian Austin Green, NBA star Iman Shumpert and his wife, Teyana Taylor ... as well as Lori Loughlin's daughter, Olivia Jade, and even 'RHOA' star Kenya Moore -- just to name a few.
Of course, JoJo Siwa is also gonna be busting a move -- and she'll be doing it with a female pro partner, the first time that's been attempted during the series' tenure.
As for MC here -- she's actually the third Spice Girls member to be featured on the hit show. Mel B did it first back in 2007 -- placing 2nd alongside Maksim Chmerkovskiy -- and then Baby Spice (Emma Bunton) beamed in with some words of encouragement a couple years ago.
Now, it's Mel (C's) turn -- good luck!!!
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Brian Austin Green JOINS 'DWTS' CAST FOR SEASON 30
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Brian Austin Green is slipping into some dancing shoes ... we've learned he's the latest celeb to join the upcoming season of "Dancing with the Stars."
Brian's famous for starring on the original "Beverly Hills, 90210" and now we'll see if he's got any skills in the ballroom.
The official cast will not be announced until next week, but BAG is joining a loaded roster for 'DWTS' season 30.
As we first told you ... NBA baller Iman Shumpert is in the competition, along with Lori Loughlin's daughter Olivia Jade, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Kenya Moore and Team USA gymnast Suni Lee.
Brian's joining a historic season on the ABC dance show ... because singer JoJo Siwa is also on the roster, and she's paired up with another woman for the first same-sex pairing.
JoJo told us she's got an advantage because women are better dancers than men ... so the pressures on guys like Brian.
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Iman Shumpert Joins 'DWTS' Cast ... Will His Moves Match His Wife's?!?
Iman Shumpert's about to show the world if any of his wife's dancing skills have rubbed off on him ... he's the latest to join the cast of "Dancing with the Stars."
The NBA baller -- who's currently a free agent -- is headed to the ballroom for Season 30 of the hit dancing competition, but first, he's gotta get his rehearsals in. We got Iman leaving the 'DWTS' studio Thursday, and much like Olivia Jade ... he's trying to keep his identity under wraps.
We've confirmed it's him though, and time will tell if dance moves run in the family ... as you may know, his spouse, Teyana Taylor, is known for hers.
Teyana famously burst onto the scene when she was featured in Kanye West's 2016 music video for "Fade" ... a modern, incredibly hot homage to "Flashdance." Shumpert also appeared at the end of the vid ... but didn't do any dancing.
However, professional athletes have traditionally done very well on the show ... with Emmitt Smith, Apolo Ohno, Kristi Yamaguchi, Hines Ward, Donald Driver, Adam Rippon and several others winning it all.
Iman's rumored pro dance partner will be Daniella Karagach, who finished in third place on Season 29 with Nelly.
As we reported ... other celeb contestants this season include Jade, Kenya Moore and JoJo Siwa.
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Olivia Jade Joins 'DWTS' Cast for Season 30
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We're about to find out if Olivia Jade's a real dancer ... she's joining the star-studded cast of "Dancing with the Stars."
The daughter of Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli will be back into the public eye in a big way for season 30 of the popular celebrity dance competition. We were outside the rehearsal studio Tuesday and got a woman in a visor -- who looked like Olivia -- being escorted inside.
Though the official cast will not be announced until next week, we've confirmed the woman in the visor was, in fact, Olivia. It appears her partner will be Val Chmerkovskiy.
Jade -- who was a big YouTube star well before she got embroiled in the college admissions controversy -- will join the likes of JoJo Siwa, Kenya Moore, Olympic gymnast Suni Lee and many more celebs on the upcoming season.
JoJo's making history as the first contestant to be part of a same-sex pairing, which she tells us will give her a leg up on the competition. We're almost certain her partner will be Jenna Johnson.
DWTS is clearly tryin' to young up its audience.
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JoJo Siwa Same-Sex Pairing Gives Us Advantage ... 'DWTS' Gonna Be Wild!!!
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JoJo Siwa thinks she's already got a leg up on her "Dancing with the Stars" competition ... she's one half of the show's first-ever same-sex pairing ... and thinks it gives her an edge.
We got JoJo heading into the 'DWTS' studio Tuesday in Los Angeles and asked her if there's a benefit in a pairing of two female dancers.
JoJo didn't hesitate, telling us there's an absolute advantage in a double helping of girl power ... she says women are just better dancers than men.
It's unclear who JoJo will be paired up with for the upcoming season, but there might have been a clue at the studio ... we got another celeb going, who we believe to be "The Talk" co-host Amanda Kloots, though it's not confirmed.
Whoever it was, they kept their face and body hidden under a reflective face visor.
JoJo, who came out as part of the LGBTQ+ community earlier this year, told us she didn't even know who her partner was going to be before rehearsal ... but it sounds like they're not content with making history, they're coming for the title.
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'RHOA' Star Kenya Moore Hand Her Those Dancing Shoes ... Joining 'DWTS'!!!
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Kenya Moore is going to be super busy soon, because she's about to join the cast of another TV show ... and show off her ballroom moves!!!
The 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star is joining the cast of "Dancing With The Stars" for the show's upcoming 30th season on ABC ... according to our production sources.
As you know Kenya has been a full-time housewife for the past 10 seasons on 'RHOA' ... so it will be interesting to see how she fares on the dance floor -- particularly compared to some of her contemporaries.
Kenya joins a long line of 'Housewives' who have been on 'DWTS' over the years ... including Nene Leakes, Lisa Vanderpump, Erika Jayne, Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Lisa Rinna.
'DWTS' has not revealed its full cast for the season yet -- but as we reported, 18-year-old Team USA medalist Suni Lee is joining the fold fresh off her gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Singer JoJo Siwa is also dancing this season.
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Olympics Star Suni Lee Bringin' Her Talents To The Dance Floor ... I'm On 'DWTS!!!'
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Olympics star Suni Lee showed she can win with her moves on the beams, uneven bars and gym mat ... but can she do the same on the dance floor???
Well, we're about to find out ... 'cause the Team USA gold medalist announced Monday she's going to compete in the upcoming season of "Dancing With The Stars!"
"I'm so excited," the 18-year-old gymnast said. "See you all on the dance floor!"
Suni's got moves, but can she stick the landing on #DWTS? 🏅🌟 @sunisalee_ pic.twitter.com/i4Lc3c6NP2
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@DancingABC) August 26, 2021 @DancingABC
Unclear who will be in the rest of the field dancing against the Olympian -- the full lineup is expected to be announced next month -- but ya gotta figure the gymnast will be a big favorite to win The Mirrorball Trophy.
After all, she KILLED IT in Tokyo ... winning the gold medal in the all-around competition, silver in the women’s team competition and bronze in the uneven bars.
Not sure how well that all translates to the salsa or the waltz -- but, hey, it can't hurt!!
FYI, this won't be the first time a gymnast competes on "DWTS" --- in 2016, Laurie Hernandez won the competition ... and, in 2017, Simone Biles finished fourth.
The dance-off starts Sept. 20 ... good luck!
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'Dancing with the Stars' Vivica & Lance Call Out Judges ... Accused of Dancer Bias!!!
Vivica A. Fox and Lance Bass both competed on "Dancing with the Stars" but didn't win, and they think they know why -- the judges hated their professional dancing partners!!!
Vivica, a 'DWTS' Season 3 alum ... and Lance, from Season 7, were sharing their experiences with Lisa Vanderpump on her new series, 'Overserved' ... when they made claims that call into question whether the 'Dancing' judges score strictly based on skill.
According to Vivica ... her dancing partner, Nick Kosovich, was one of the main reasons they got eliminated because he didn't "play the game" and "made too many requests."
Fox implies the judges -- who were Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli -- didn't like Kosovich, so they took it out on their dance scores.
The former 'NSYNC star had the same judges as Vivica, and he says they absolutely hated his dance partner, Lacey Schwimmer. He claims prior to the finale, one of the judges had a little to much too drink and even admitted all the judges despised her.
Lance and Lacey finished as runners-up.
Lisa also didn't win when she was on Season 16, but made no such claims about the judges. On a positive note ... it seems her new TV show's living up to its name.
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Chrishell Stause Splits with Keo
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Chrishell Stause is single, like really single ... cuz just around the time her divorce from Justin Hartley was finalized, her relationship with her new boyfriend also came to an end.
Sources close to the former couple tell TMZ ... the "Selling Sunset" star and Keo Motsepe came to a mutual decision to end their relationship after about 3 months of dating.
Our sources say Chrishell's relationship with the 'DWTS' star had simply run its course. They started dating back in December 2020, so it was short and sweet.
We got Chrishell and her "Selling Sunset" co-star, Mary Fitzgerald, Wednesday afternoon at The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker in West Hollywood ... and Chrishell was reluctant to say much of anything about Keo. Now it makes sense, they were on the outs.
TMZ broke the story ... Chrishell and Justin finalized their divorce Monday, so it's been an eventful week for her.
Justin's still going strong with his girlfriend, Sofia Pernas, but now Chrishell is flying solo.
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Kamaru Usman Put Me On 'Dancing with the Stars' ... I've Earned It!!!
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Kamaru Usman established himself as one of the greatest fighters ever ... and now the UFC superstar is looking to expand -- to the ballroom!!
Usman didn't just TKO Gilbert Burns over the weekend ... he made history. The Nigerian Nightmare broke GSP's record for consecutive welterweight wins in the UFC (Usman now holds the record with 13 straight).
Kamaru Usman returned the favor in Round 2 and dropped Gilbert Burns 😳 #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/rHHDIqbDTF
— ESPN (@espn) February 14, 2021 @espn
So, when TMZ Sports talked to the champ, we asked if he'd be interested in "Dancing with the Stars" -- and Usman made it clear there could soon be a mirrorball trophy next to his UFC belts.
"I do my thing! I do my thing! That's the thing with me, I understand that practice makes perfect and I'm disciplined enough to be able to train at it," Kamaru tells us.
"So anything, if I need to work at it, do the moves, learn 'em, boom! I'm in there! I can get it down."
Usman wouldn't be the 1st UFC star to be on DWTS ... Chuck Liddell was on the show in 2009 (he was eliminated 5th). Paige VanZant was a contestant in 2016 ... and nearly won the show, finishing 2nd.
Primetime TV isn't new to Usman ... he previously told us he'd like to be the 1st Black 'Bachelor' (Matt James ended up landing the gig after 25 seasons).
But, with all the drama surrounding the 'Bachelor' franchise (see Chris Harrison), Kamaru's looking for less TV romance -- and more dance.
"It's a tough one now because with the controversy going on, now it kinda soils the name, ya know?"
Don't worry ... we also talked to Usman about his beefs with Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington.
And, don't get it twisted, just 'cause Usman's looking to make a splash in the pop culture universe, he's still laser-focused on smashing Gamebred and Chaos.
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'DWTS' Gleb Savchenko WIfe Elena Files for Divorce
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It appears there's finally a light at the end of the tunnel for the nasty back and forth between "Dancing With The Stars" pro Gleb Savchenko and his wife, Elena Samodanova ... she's filed for divorce.
Elena submitted divorce docs Tuesday in L.A. ... the two got married back in 2006 and have two children together.
Elena's filing caps a long year of a very nasty and public split between the two. At one point, fans speculated that Gleb and "Selling Sunset" star Chrishell Stause were seeing each other ... the two were partners on 'DWTS' before Chrishell was eliminated.
While it was never confirmed that Gleb and Chrishell were anything beyond friends, they've definitely stayed in touch, and recently vacationed to Mexico in a group that included Gleb's girlfriend Cassie Screbo and Chrishell's new boyfriend, Keo Motsepe, who is also a 'DWTS' pro.
Story developing ...