Gabrielle Giffords
Gabrielle Dee Giffords (born June 8, 1970) is an American politician. A Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, she has represented Arizona's 8th congressional district since 2007. She is the third woman in Arizona's history to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Giffords is a native of Tucson, Arizona, and a graduate of Scripps College and Cornell University. Prior to her election to Congress, Giffords served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2001 until 2003 and the Arizona State Senate from 2003 until 2005, when she resigned to run for the seat held by then-Congressman Jim Kolbe. She also worked as an associate for regional economic development in New York City and as CEO of El Campo Tire Warehouses, a local automotive chain owned by her grandfather. She is married to astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander Mark E. Kelly. Giffords is currently serving her third term in the United States House of Representatives, having been re-elected in the 2010 midterm elections. Considered a "Blue Dog" Democrat, her stances on health care reform and illegal immigration were sources of attention for those opposed to her candidacy and have made her a recipient of criticism from various conservative groups. She has described herself as a "former Republican." On January 8, 2011, Giffords was a victim of a shooting near Tucson, which was reported to be an assassination attempt on her, at a supermarket where she was meeting publicly with constituents. She was critically injured by a gunshot wound to the head; thirteen people were injured and six others were killed in the shooting, among them conservative federal judge John Roll. Giffords was later brought to a rehabilitation facility in Houston, Texas, where she recovered some of her ability to walk, speak, read and write. On May 16, 2011, Giffords traveled to Kennedy Space Center to watch the launch of STS-134, the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour, which was commanded by her husband Mark Kelly. Giffords underwent surgery on May 18, 2011, to replace with plastic a part of her skull that had been removed in January to permit her brain to swell after the gunshot to her head. On June 15, she was released from the rehabilitation hospital to return to her husband's League City, Texas home. There she is continuing speech, music, physical and occupational therapy. On August 1, 2011, Gabrielle Giffords returned to the House of Representatives to vote in favor of increasing the debt ceiling. She was welcomed back by a standing ovation.
Tony Dovolani
Driton Dovolani (born July 17, 1973) is an Albanian American professional ballroom dancer, instructor and judge based in New York City. He is known for his involvement in the American version of Dancing with the Stars on ABC. Dovolani also portrayed a Latin bad boy in the hit film Shall We Dance? and spent time coaching actress Jennifer Lopez. When not dancing, he enjoys spending time at home with his wife, daughters and son.
Tony's previous DWTSGame partners include: Jodie Sweetin, Fran Drescher, Cindy Crawford (runners-up), Jennifer Aniston (winners), and Reese Witherspoon.
Tony's previous DWTSGame partners include: Jodie Sweetin, Fran Drescher, Cindy Crawford (runners-up), Jennifer Aniston (winners), and Reese Witherspoon.
Gabrielle Giffords & Tony Dovolani
Week 1: Foxtrot: Sweet Pea - Amos Lee: 30
Week 2: Jive: Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles: 30
Week 3: Waltz: What The World Needs Now - Burt Bacharach: 36
Week 4: Viennese Waltz: Iris - Goo-Goo Dolls: 37
Week 4: Rumba: Alone - Kristin Chenoweth: 30
Week 5: Argentine Tango: Asi Se Baila El Tango - Veronica Verdeir: 37
Week 6: Viennese Waltz: Chim Chim Cheree - Dick Van Dyke: 35
Week 6: Rumba: You'll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins: 38
Week 7: Cha-Cha-Cha: Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli: 36
Week 8: Waltz: O Holy Night - Celine Dion: 38
Week 8: Quickstep: Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson: 35
Week 2: Jive: Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles: 30
Week 3: Waltz: What The World Needs Now - Burt Bacharach: 36
Week 4: Viennese Waltz: Iris - Goo-Goo Dolls: 37
Week 4: Rumba: Alone - Kristin Chenoweth: 30
Week 5: Argentine Tango: Asi Se Baila El Tango - Veronica Verdeir: 37
Week 6: Viennese Waltz: Chim Chim Cheree - Dick Van Dyke: 35
Week 6: Rumba: You'll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins: 38
Week 7: Cha-Cha-Cha: Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli: 36
Week 8: Waltz: O Holy Night - Celine Dion: 38
Week 8: Quickstep: Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson: 35
Gabrielle's Journey
Many were amazed, and astounded, that Giffords agreed to be on the DWTSGame. Her violent accident in January 2011 had still played a major part in Giffords' health (she has lost things such as part of her vision). Gabrielle told the media that she is doing better and hopes to do well on the game.
In Week 1, Gabrielle and Tony danced a Foxtrot to "Sweet Pea" by Amos Lee. The judges were inspired by it, with Judge Carrie Ann Inaba calling the performance lovely. The judges awarded it with an amazing 30 out of 40 for the night, landing them in second place for the night.
In Week 2, Gabrielle and Tony danced a Jive to "Hit The Road Jack" by Ray Charles. The judges liked the dance, with Judge Carrie Ann Inaba saying Gabrielle had potential. They were given 30 points for the night, landing them in a tie for seventh place with Joel Courtney.
In Week 3, Gabrielle and Tony danced a Waltz to "What The World Needs Now" by Burt Bacharach. The judges loved the dance, with Judge Valerie Hashburntar calling the best Waltz ever on DWTSGame. They were given 36 points for the night, landing them in fourth place for the night.
In Week 4, Gabrielle ditched Tony to dance a Viennese Waltz with Clint Eastwood to "Iris" by the Goo-Goo Dolls. In interesting tidbit: A line from the song is engraved on Gabrielle's wedding ring). Together, they were praised for their excellent job as a team and making the dance stand out as an emotional masterpiece. The judges (including former contestant Natalie Morales) gave the dance 37 points. When they later danced to a Rumba to "Alone" by Kristin Chenoweth as part of Team Kamie (Crawford), the dance did not go over as well. The older celebrities weighed down the romance of the dance to make the judges (including former winner Kamie Crawford) only give it 30 points. They ended the night with 67 out of 80.
In Week 5, Gabrielle and Tony danced an Argentine Tango to "Asi Se Baila El Tango" by Veronica Verdier. They judges mostly liked the dance and gave it a 37 out of 40. Gabrielle and Tony then danced with the other couples left to a Salsa Marathon (with music provided by "Saca Tu Mujer" by Tito Puente). Gabrielle and Tony were eliminated fourth and in reward, got 4 additional points to their previous score, giving them a total of 41 for the night.
In Week 6 (Disney Week), Gabrielle and Tony danced a Viennese Waltz to "Chim Chim Cheree" by Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins. The judges liked the dance, giving it a 35 out of 40. Gabrielle and Tony then danced a Rumba to "You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins from Tarzan. The judges were amazed by the dance and gave it a 38 out of 40, giving Gabrielle and Tony a total of 73 out of 80 for the night.
For Week 7, Gabrielle and Tony danced a Cha-Cha-Cha to "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli. The judges really liked the dance, saying Gabrielle was a true contender, and gave the dance 36 out of 40. Gabrielle and Tony were given the encore later this week, to much applause!
In Week 8 (Christmas Week), Gabrielle and Tony danced a Waltz to "O Holy Night" by Celine Dion. The judges loved the dance, giving it a 38 out of 40. Gabrielle and Tony then danced a surprise Quickstep to "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson, which they only had 45 minutes to master. The judges did not like this dance as much and gave it a 35 out of 40, giving Gabrielle and Tony a total of 73 out of 80 for the night. On results night, Gabrielle landed in the bottom-two along with Eva Mendes. Gabrielle and Tony were sadly let go on Christmas Eve, yet Gabrielle remained positive and was glad she got to spend Christmas and New Years with loved ones, rather than continuing to train.
In Week 1, Gabrielle and Tony danced a Foxtrot to "Sweet Pea" by Amos Lee. The judges were inspired by it, with Judge Carrie Ann Inaba calling the performance lovely. The judges awarded it with an amazing 30 out of 40 for the night, landing them in second place for the night.
In Week 2, Gabrielle and Tony danced a Jive to "Hit The Road Jack" by Ray Charles. The judges liked the dance, with Judge Carrie Ann Inaba saying Gabrielle had potential. They were given 30 points for the night, landing them in a tie for seventh place with Joel Courtney.
In Week 3, Gabrielle and Tony danced a Waltz to "What The World Needs Now" by Burt Bacharach. The judges loved the dance, with Judge Valerie Hashburntar calling the best Waltz ever on DWTSGame. They were given 36 points for the night, landing them in fourth place for the night.
In Week 4, Gabrielle ditched Tony to dance a Viennese Waltz with Clint Eastwood to "Iris" by the Goo-Goo Dolls. In interesting tidbit: A line from the song is engraved on Gabrielle's wedding ring). Together, they were praised for their excellent job as a team and making the dance stand out as an emotional masterpiece. The judges (including former contestant Natalie Morales) gave the dance 37 points. When they later danced to a Rumba to "Alone" by Kristin Chenoweth as part of Team Kamie (Crawford), the dance did not go over as well. The older celebrities weighed down the romance of the dance to make the judges (including former winner Kamie Crawford) only give it 30 points. They ended the night with 67 out of 80.
In Week 5, Gabrielle and Tony danced an Argentine Tango to "Asi Se Baila El Tango" by Veronica Verdier. They judges mostly liked the dance and gave it a 37 out of 40. Gabrielle and Tony then danced with the other couples left to a Salsa Marathon (with music provided by "Saca Tu Mujer" by Tito Puente). Gabrielle and Tony were eliminated fourth and in reward, got 4 additional points to their previous score, giving them a total of 41 for the night.
In Week 6 (Disney Week), Gabrielle and Tony danced a Viennese Waltz to "Chim Chim Cheree" by Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins. The judges liked the dance, giving it a 35 out of 40. Gabrielle and Tony then danced a Rumba to "You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins from Tarzan. The judges were amazed by the dance and gave it a 38 out of 40, giving Gabrielle and Tony a total of 73 out of 80 for the night.
For Week 7, Gabrielle and Tony danced a Cha-Cha-Cha to "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli. The judges really liked the dance, saying Gabrielle was a true contender, and gave the dance 36 out of 40. Gabrielle and Tony were given the encore later this week, to much applause!
In Week 8 (Christmas Week), Gabrielle and Tony danced a Waltz to "O Holy Night" by Celine Dion. The judges loved the dance, giving it a 38 out of 40. Gabrielle and Tony then danced a surprise Quickstep to "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson, which they only had 45 minutes to master. The judges did not like this dance as much and gave it a 35 out of 40, giving Gabrielle and Tony a total of 73 out of 80 for the night. On results night, Gabrielle landed in the bottom-two along with Eva Mendes. Gabrielle and Tony were sadly let go on Christmas Eve, yet Gabrielle remained positive and was glad she got to spend Christmas and New Years with loved ones, rather than continuing to train.
Total & Average
TOTAL: 382
AVERAGE: 34.7
AVERAGE: 34.7