Down the Rabbit Hole - Holly Madison

learn your routine, while every other contestant has already had a month’s worth of rehearsals.”
“Are you kidding? Of course!” I gleefully shouted into the phone. I couldn’t believe my luck.
“Absolutely. Thank you so much. I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity,” I continued to stammer,
positively beside myself. “I can’t believe it!”
She seemed totally relieved and let out a big laugh. It was meant to be! After giving her all my
current contact information, I called my publicist, telling him the good news and swearing him to
secrecy. My addition to the DWTS cast was supposed to be kept quiet until they announced it live on
the premier episode.
The next few days were an absolute Cinderella story. After signing the contract with Dancing, I
was immediately whisked off to meet my new partner, Dmitry Chaplin (a new DWTS talent who
graduated from TV’s other juggernaut dance series, So You Think You Can Dance ). Production
provided me with my first set of dance shoes for our rehearsal. Eight hours of practice later, my feet
had erupted in terrible blisters, but I didn’t care. I lined the shoes with moleskin before returning the
next morning. Not even the pain in my feet could dampen my spirits as I skipped my way back to the
studio, eager to continue our routine.
Our first number was a cha-cha to Lady Gaga’s anthem “Just Dance.” I was overcome with
excitement. Could they have chosen a more perfect song for this particular time of my life? After the
second day of rehearsals, I was swept away to the office of Emmy-award-winning costume designer
Randall Christensen on the CBS lot to begin fittings for my first outfit. (Side note: While the series
airs on ABC, it’s actually shot on the CBS lot in West Hollywood.)
Reminiscent of Hollywood’s golden age, the costumes for each DWTS episode are crafted inhouse
each week. In what felt like no time, Christensen whipped up a short, vibrant orange dress
drenched in beaded fringe and Swarovski crystals. It was absolutely to die for. Even though I was the
new girl on set, the producers, cast, and crew couldn’t have been more welcoming. Everyone was an
absolute delight to work with—and seemingly grateful that I agreed to step in at the very last minute.
Little did they know that this was the break I had been praying for—an opportunity when I truly
needed it most.
Was I nervous to perform my newly learned dance in front of a live studio audience and 22
million viewers watching live at home? Duh! But not too nervous to forget to have fun and enjoy my
moment in the spotlight (without any ominous boyfriend hovering over me). As long as I remembered
the routine, I was going to be okay. My priority was to have a good time, work hard, and of course
enjoy wearing the fabulous, sparkly costumes!
Over the course of my tenure on the show, my scores were mediocre, my dancing wasn’t great,
and the eight-hour rehearsals, five days a week were brutal, but I was having the time of my life.
After practice, I’d make the drive back to Mary and Captain Bob’s home in the Valley and collapse
on my bed. For the next month, my life would be: eat, sleep, dance, repeat.
After my debut, Criss eventually reached out to me to offer his congratulations. With distance
and a bit of time between us, it appeared we could be civil. Some of his messages were very flirty or
risqué, but I didn’t bite. I had heard through the grapevine that he had already moved on and was
living with his current girlfriend. Plus, I knew Criss well enough to be certain that any sort of