KYM JOHNSON, WARREN SAPP (ABC/HEIDI GUTMAN)

I have an interview with Kym Johnson at The Trades in which she discusses the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars. As someone who admittedly has no rhythm, I have to admire any celebrity who would go on TV in front of millions of people and try to master ballroom dancing. I have even more admiration for a professional like Johnson, who makes it look so effortless.

So, what’s the secret to being a good dancer? “Obviously, you have to have technique,” she told me during our chat. “You’ve got to have that special little something – that spark that [makes you] light up on the dance floor. Charisma’s a big thing for me.”

Johnson said watching a couple that has technique but no pizzazz lacks appeal. “If they don’t have that chemistry or that certain something, I get bored,” she said. “I would rather watch a couple that has a great connection and draws me in.”

As I spoke with Johnson, I understood why she always seems to form that special bond with her partner on the show. Her warm, humble demeanor becomes disarming and makes it impossible not to like her.

Aside from having a great partner like her, having a prior understanding of choreography can’t hurt a contestant, either. Johnson admitted that those who have past dance experience have an edge on the competition but also have higher expectations to live up to. “Ballroom dancing is completely different from any other form of dancing,” she explained, “but I’m not going to lie, if they’re used to learning choreography and dancing in some way, it’s a big help. I think there is a lot more expectation on those celebrities that have been known to have a bit of dancing experience. I think it weighs it all out in the end.”

Johnson said she’s adhered to this same mentality in the past when working with contestants who had no previous dance experience. “I remember saying to Jerry Springer, ‘Whatever you do, it’s going to be good, because people are not going to expect anything.’ There was no pressure on us. We just went out and had a ball.”

I think it’s safe to assume that no one has lofty expectations for Johnson’s partner this season, Warren Sapp. Yet, with Johnson training him, don’t be surprised if he turns a few heads. 

For more news and info about Dancing with the Stars, check out these links:

ABC Official Site 

Sirlinksalot.net: Dancing with the Stars