Kristi Yamaguchi crowned as DWTS queen

• denise
• May 22,2008 | 232 Readers
• In: Actors, Dancers, Hollywood

Skating To The Top

Kristi Yamaguchi made history as made the viewers and audience alike feel the girl power in the dance floor. The figure skater’s victory Tuesday over pro football star Jason Taylor broke the string of four consecutive male winners. She was the first woman to claim the “Dancing” crown since the show’s opening season.

The Japanese athlete dedicated her victory for all the women out there to continue to be strong. She was clearly the most talented dancer on this season’s show, but it’s been hard for women to take the “Dancing” crown.

With a viewership that’s 75 percent women — a fact not lost on Taylor and de la Fuente, who never shied from brazen displays of bare skin and sex appeal — the hit ABC show still had plenty of suspense for the final episode. “You obviously have to get the technique, but (also) compete with the personalities that all the boys have,” Yamaguchi told The Associated Press after Monday’s performances.

“I think their smiles and their personalities melt hearts across the country.” Figure-skating champ Yamaguchi got a perfect score of 60 on Monday’s show, and has regularly topped the judges’ scoreboard throughout season six. She and Taylor each earned perfect scores of 30 for their final dances on Tuesday’s show.

But viewer votes count just as much, and the combination is what determines the winner. Taylor landed in last place with 51 points Monday. His partner, Edyta Sliwinska, maximized Taylor’s sex appeal — and perhaps his votes — by tearing off his shirt at the end of their final dance Monday. Still, Kristi ended up taking home the mirror crystal ball trophy.