How to 'Dance Your Ass Off' with Marissa Jaret Winokur and SallyAnn Salsano by Troy Rogers
Given
the popularity of such active and life changing
shows as The Biggest Loser and Dancing With the
Stars, it didn't take long for the reality lifestyle
instructors at Oxygen long to combine weight loss
and dancing for the new series, Dance Your Ass
Off, which debuts on Oxygen on June 29 at 10pm.
Blending two successful reality formats for a
unique competition that sees twelve diet weary
dance lovers move in with each other to battle
the bulge on the dance floor and scale for ten
weeks, with the opportunity to lose weight but
also take home a $100,000 grand prize.
Hosted by Tony Award winning Hairspray stage actress and former Dancing With the Stars contestant, Marissa Jaret Winokur, the format of Dance your Ass Off pairs contestants with a professional dance partner who will also school them in the art of art in such genres as hip hop, tango and, as Oxygen reveals, even pole dancing before taking to the stage with live studio audience where judges: choreographer Danny Teeson, dancer/choreographer Mayte Garcia and dancer/actress Lisa Ann Walter rate their progress.
Ahead of the June 29 Oxygen premiere of Dance Your Ass Off, we danced our way to the phone lines (actually, it was an office moonwalk, and I fell backwards over the coffee table) to join a conference call with Broadway actress and former Dancing With the Stars contestant turned Dance Your Ass Off host, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and executive producer, SallyAnn Salsano, to get the official lowdown on the new Oxygen reality competition.
THE DEADBOLT: The show is kind of like a mix of The Biggest Loser and a dance competition. Where did the idea come from?
SALLYANN
SALSANO: The idea, actually, originally
came from Lisa Ann Walter. You know, she was
an actress who was in a movie and she was dancing,
dancing, dancing, and her whole body completely
changed by doing it. She was just like, "Hey,
this is something good here and I'd love to
inspire people," and that's basically where
it came from. Then I heard about it and we brought
Marissa in and it just became a total love for
us. And both Marissa and myself and Lisa Ann
are all three people who've completely struggled
with our weight and keep going to the gym. So
for us it was like, "Hey, this could be fun,"
and we're all suckers for reality TV.
THE DEADBOLT: Marissa, how is it different being a contestant on Dancing With the Stars, now being the host of Dance Your Ass Off?
MARISSA JARET WINOKUR: Oh, it's completely trippy. It's totally trippy [laughs], I keep saying. But I'm a total reality junkie, so I love reality TV and that's why I wanted to be on Dancing With the Stars and be a part of this show. But it's weird, because when you're a contestant it's all about you and this is the first job I think I ever had where I'm like, "It's not about me, it's about these contestants, their journey, and I'm just there to help facilitate it."
There was a moment where they were like, "Oh, do you want to dance? Do you want to sing, or do something on the show?" I went, "No. You know what? This is about the contestants, it isn't about me." And you almost feel like - Well, I guess being a mom it totally was the right timing for me to be a host, because now I'm like, "It is absolutely not about me," and I'm having a great time. I really feel for all of the contestants and I try to help them all. You know, you can't have your favorites. It's very different.
I
mean, when you're a contestant you feel like,
"Oh, my God! The camera is on me at all times
and I have to always be ready to go." With this
you're totally saying, "The camera is not on
me, it's on the contestants. They're doing a
great job." I was more nervous doing this job
than I was on Dancing With the Stars because
I was so nervous for everybody. You know, you're
like, "Oh, I hope they don't mess up their dance."
And they're so close I can see them, I want
to hug them. If I watch something, I'm like,
"I want to tell them what to do to help them
next week." But I can't, because it's not my
place. So I help them with food stuff but I
wouldn't help them with the dance stuff, because
I just felt like I didn't want to get involved
[when] there was people that could do that for
them [laughs].
THE DEADBOLT: How did the casting process
work? Was it the best dancers, or the people
that were the biggest?
SALSANO: To be perfectly honest with you, we had an overwhelming response for a season one show. We had thousands and thousands, almost ten thousand applicants for season one, and I think people just got wind of it and it literally went by A: The dancers, and B: Personality, and stuff like that. The same way that you would cast any other reality show. Sure, weight was a factor but also it wasn't like, "Hey, let's find the biggest people we can find." Let's find people that will believe in this, have tried everything, and believe that this is the answer.
Subject: I want to be a contestant on Dance Your Ass Off
My name is Lisa Dianne Wright. I weight 255 pounds and I am 5'5 in height and I teel you my knees hur from so much weight. I love to dance and I always danced since I was a little girl. Now it hurts me so much because I want to dance again after being told that I was a good- year blot and i will never dance again. I am the type of person--I don't easily give up on anything. I love completing whatever I start. I know I will make it to the finalist and I know you all will love having me on your show. I have such a sense of humor, a sense of sytle, a sense of sense and a huge smile that lights up the stage. The only fear I have is fearing people who do not like change. I am very flexible in body, mind, soul, and spirit. So can a girl get an audition or not? Love you all and God bless you all every day in every way and your families to . I pray that God will keep you and your family with lots of love, protection, finance, relationship, and peace. Everyone that's been on your show they all are winners becasue they tried so hard. I always been last n my life and now i wish I could be first somewhere in my life. But I will not give up no mattwr what. It's good to do what you feel in your heart to do and I feel in my heart to do this for me. I need changes in my life right now and I see this will bring a whole lot of changes in my life at this time. I want to feel good for me and I feel good by writhing this text. Thank you again. Yours truly Lisa D. Wright
lisa wright – fayetteville, nc from
January 01, 2010 - 17:00
Subject: I really would like to be a contestant on "Dance Your Ass Off."
I really want to learn how to live, eat and be healthy for me. I feel as though my life could be at state. I know I can do this and I feel like I should and I really would make it to the finalist. I have been watching this show since day one and it's an awesome show. Continue to help those who want to be helped and trying to helped themselves like I am , I would, and I should. My confident is very high in helping myself to be a better me for the year of 2010. So, can anyone help we in the area where I am truly trying to help myself. I know this will be a great reward for me and for you. Love you, God bless you all and this awesome show. Yours truly LISA DIANNE WRIGHT from Fayetteville, NC at 910-728-7940 please give me a call and to let me know that I will be on "DANCE YOUR ASS OFF". And again Thanks and God bless you all.
catherine robinson – Birmingham,Alabama
September 21, 2009 - 13:35
Subject: I really need this.
My name is Catherine, i am 21 years old and i weigh 290 lbs. I have a one year old daughter whom i can hardly play with. I am experiencing various problems with my body because of my weight. If i could have this one opportunity it would change my life.
Mary Williams – Alabama
September 16, 2009 - 17:46
Subject: I want to dance my ass off!
I would love the opportunity to be a contestant on Dance Your Ass Off. When is the next audition session?
Amy C – Jasper,AL
September 12, 2009 - 15:37
Subject: I weigh 385 pounds and im only 21 and believe this would motivate me enough
Hi, Im Amy from Jasper,AL. I have had a weight problem my whole life.
I was made fun of in school all the time and finally ir got bad enough crying and begging my mother everyday not to make me go that she transfered me to private school and it was a little bit better. Still they had their little names and comments for my large size. Now I've tried diet after diet and nothing works, I could never stay motivated long enough to stay with aany of the diets. I abesolutely LOVE the show, i watched it from day one to the last show and even dreamed about being on the show, I actually had dreams that i was going to be on the show and then woke up to my same old fat self and my normal life,UGH. I've been trying to find out how to audition for the next show and can't find anything out. I hope this works. I'm now 21 years oldand I weigh 385 pounds,& I'm 5'11. I honestly believe that this would work for me. Because I have such a desire and passion to be on this show and lose the weight. I love to dance as well. I'm not a wonderful dancer but would love to learn. Please consider me for the show
I will work my hardest if you would give me the chance of a lifetime!!!!
Gwendolyn Thomas – South Holland, IL
September 10, 2009 - 00:32
Subject: I Really, Really, Really Would Love to Be a Contestant on Dance Your Ass Off!
Hi All! I watched this show from beginning to end. I've cried and laughed with the contestants that were on the first session. I've always had a passion for dance and I still love to dance! After childbirth, I've gained sooo much weight and have been trying to lose it. It's so easy to gain but yet soooo hard to lose! Since I love to dance and need a push, I thought, "Wow! What other way besides doing something I'm so passionate about?" I'm very outgoing (definitely an extrovert) and keep people laughing. I promise, if I'm chosen, you'll see, "You've made a great choice!" Looking forward to hearing from you all soon,
~Gwennie Pooh~
Vanessa Jackson – Conway Arkansas
September 08, 2009 - 15:06
Subject: Dance your ass off is for me.
I would love to be picked to be on this show. I will be 52 in a couple weeks. I have had many problems with weight. I tried every diet and diet pill on the market. My weight topped out in excess of 400 pounds. I managed to loose 100 pounds on my own and then I hit a brick wall. My husband never minded my weight and encouraged me to just be happy he always said the more I weighd the more there was to love. When he died I felt as if I would never recover and I began gaining instead of losing. I turned to gastric bypass surgery thing that it would be a magic fix and I would loose all the weight that I wanted to and never have to worry again. That is so far from the truth that it is not funny. I did loose down to 230 lbs and kept it off for a short time. I had so much excess skin that the weight of it pulled and caused hernias to form I was in constant pain and decided to have the skin removed. I had a very bad experience with the surgery and had major infections which caused me to have to have more surgery. I have had many other problems my weight has caused. In the past few years I have had 20+ surgical procedures to correct this problem removing mesh non healing wounds and massive infections. I have been unable to work since 2003. I have been so inactive for the last 3 years that I need to be able to excersie being supervised by your staff and being challenged to do new exciting things might be just what I need. I have gained weight and bound from 260 to 290 I am ashamed to step on the scales so I really do keep up with the exact weight. I would like to be an example to let people know that surgery is not a magic pill. Please let me know if I can apply for your show.
Angel Jackson – Chicago, IL
September 07, 2009 - 11:38
Subject: How do I become a contestant on Dance Your Ass Off?
Hi, I'm Angel and I would like to be a contestant on your show. I have lots of energy and love to dance. My problem is that I need some help with eating habits and exercise techniques to target my problem area. My weight fluctuates between 230 and 225 and I am 34 years young. Can't wait to hear from you guys.
Keisha Jones – Raleigh NC.
September 03, 2009 - 20:05
Subject: I want to be a contestant
Hi my name is Keisha Jones and I would like to be a contestant on Dance your ass off. I am 33 years of age and I suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes. I really want to loose weight so one day my husband and I can start our family. We have been postpoing having a child due to my health problems, please help me and give me a new start.
Thank You,
Mrs. Jones
Keisha Jacobs-Jones
September 03, 2009 - 19:51
Subject: I want to be a contestant on dance your ass off
Hi, my name is Keisha jacobs-jones and I would like to be a contestant on Dance your ass off. I have been a fan off the show since it aired. I would like to have the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful weight loss program, I think it's a fun way to get in shape.
Thank you,
Mrs. Jacob-Jones
Kera Brown – New York, NY
September 03, 2009 - 14:29
Subject: I want to Dance My Ass Off
Hello my name is Kera. I weight over 250 and I am only 23 yrs old. I have always had a problem with my weight. When i was younger i use to dance my ass off. I really want to lose weight. I had my gallbladder taken out when i was 22. I was in the hospital for 10days doing that. I just want help PLEASE HELP ME...
Joyce Morse – Vernon, Vermont
September 03, 2009 - 09:57
Subject: auditioning for Dance Your Ass Off
I would love a chance to audition for this show! I enjoyed watching every minute of it! It was very inspiring! I am a 45 year old female, 5' 4" & weigh 222 lbs and can't stand it!!!! I have tried everything but my body hasn't responded to anything for very long.I love to dance & spent my 20's at the disco !! I have 2 sons that want to see me grow old. Thanks for any info you can give me.
Christy Noyes – Missoula Mt
September 02, 2009 - 19:35
Subject: Please help me
Hello, my name is Christy and I am 28 years old and I weight 235 pounds and I have had high blood pressure since I was 21 due to my weight. I am a mother to a 10 year old and I want to be around to see him grow up and have a family of his own. With my weight problem, I am afraid it won't happen. I would like to be a contestant on your show. I have tried the gym and diets and I just cant seem to commit myself. I am not the best dancer but man I love to try... Please please help me
Steve Johnson – Laurel, MD
September 02, 2009 - 18:58
Subject: Need the shows help
Hi my name is Steve Johnson and I am 51 years old, I weigh 305lbs. I have all of the know illnesses that come from being over weight. Diabetes, High Chlestorol and high blood pressure. If you think I could be a contest on the show please contact me at the e-mail attached.
Thank you,
Steve Johnson
Emily
September 02, 2009 - 15:33
Subject: please put me on your show
Hi I am 17 years old and I love to dance and I need to lose weight and I would love to bring youthfulness to the great show. I don't want to be known as the funny fat girl
Given
the popularity of such active and life changing
shows as The Biggest Loser and Dancing With the
Stars, it didn't take long for the reality lifestyle
instructors at Oxygen long to combine weight loss
and dancing for the new series, Dance Your Ass
Off, which debuts on Oxygen on June 29 at 10pm.
Blending two successful reality formats for a
unique competition that sees twelve diet weary
dance lovers move in with each other to battle
the bulge on the dance floor and scale for ten
weeks, with the opportunity to lose weight but
also take home a $100,000 grand prize.
SALLYANN
SALSANO: The idea, actually, originally
came from Lisa Ann Walter. You know, she was
an actress who was in a movie and she was dancing,
dancing, dancing, and her whole body completely
changed by doing it. She was just like, "Hey,
this is something good here and I'd love to
inspire people," and that's basically where
it came from. Then I heard about it and we brought
Marissa in and it just became a total love for
us. And both Marissa and myself and Lisa Ann
are all three people who've completely struggled
with our weight and keep going to the gym. So
for us it was like, "Hey, this could be fun,"
and we're all suckers for reality TV.
I
mean, when you're a contestant you feel like,
"Oh, my God! The camera is on me at all times
and I have to always be ready to go." With this
you're totally saying, "The camera is not on
me, it's on the contestants. They're doing a
great job." I was more nervous doing this job
than I was on Dancing With the Stars because
I was so nervous for everybody. You know, you're
like, "Oh, I hope they don't mess up their dance."
And they're so close I can see them, I want
to hug them. If I watch something, I'm like,
"I want to tell them what to do to help them
next week." But I can't, because it's not my
place. So I help them with food stuff but I
wouldn't help them with the dance stuff, because
I just felt like I didn't want to get involved
[when] there was people that could do that for
them [laughs].