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Special Photo Blog Exclusive #15: Marissa Jaret Winokur 'Dancing With The Stars' - You Saved Me!

By: Mar. 26, 2008
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Tony Award-winning star of Hairspray, Marissa Jaret Winokur, will be one of the contestants this season on "Dancing with the Stars."  When news broke of her involvement, she couldn't wait to share that experience with BroadwayWorld.com and its readers.  Marissa will be checking in from now until she wins (YAY!) or is eliminated (BOO!) with exclusive photos and a glimpse into what's going on as she takes on the other celebrities in the ultimate "dance off!"

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Marissa says: "OK. YIPPY - YOUR VOTES DID IT! Sorry I was M.I.A. yesterday - I was a tiny bit insane! Actually - that's a total understatement).  I am so excited that I am doing the JIVE next week and although I can't tell you my song -  you'll just have to trust me when I say it's gonna be fun. I am so happy! I was so nervous in the bottom two. But I was so happy to be saved. I thought my heart was gonna pop out of my chest! This is so much fun. Thank you all for helping me stay ! Please please vote next week!


To vote for Marissa, Call: 1800-868-3409

"Dancing with the Stars" pairs twelve celebrities – six men and six women – with acclaimed dancers, and pits them against each other in attempts to outshine one another. Last season, viewers got a chance to size up the male vs. the female stars, as each gender hit the dance floor on separate nights during the first week of competition. Each week, one couple's fate is determined the following night

The line-up of celebrities for Season 6 of "Dancing with the Stars" includes Tony Award-winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Hairspray) and Priscilla Presley. The cast will also include former Olympic ice-skater Kristi Yamaguchi and Telenovela star Christian De La Fuente; plus actress Marlee Matlin and entertainer Penn Jillette; and radio jock Adam Carolla (dancing with Julianne Hough). Plus tennis champ Monica Seles, R&B singer Mario, actor Steve Guttenberg (3 Men and a Baby, Police Academy), Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor, actress Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie).Season 6 of "Dancing with the Stars" will premiere on ABC on Monday, March 17 in a special 2-hour episode. For more information visit ABC.com

Marissa Jaret Winokur is best known for creating the role of "Tracy Turnblad" in the hit Broadway musical Hairspray, a performance for which she won a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress. Winokur has since been seen in the Farrelly Brothers film Fever Pitch and the television series Stacked. She just finished filming the series lead in a new pilot called Fugly, for 20th Century Fox and CBS and is currently working as one of the leads in the Lifetime movie Betrayals.


Marissa Jaret Winokur: "I am very sad to see Penn leave.
 I really liked him backstage - we really became friends!"


Marissa Jaret Winokur: "Okay sorry for the black and white, but the
camera was in the wrong setting. My nieces were so excited I meet
the Jonas brothers!  Tony was an amazing friend and shamelessly
asked if I could take a picture with them!!!"


Marissa Jaret Winokur and Marlie Matlin: 
"I love her - such great energy backstage"


Marissa Jaret Winokur: "Cutting the tassles.
Wardrobe is the best! I love my drag!"


Marissa Jaret Winokur: "My dear friend Dana Perri.
She was in the amazing arial act with the sphere
and ribbons and purple costumes. She also
trained me for the 2 weeks before the show to help
build up my muscle and teaches at my favorite class -
Cardio Barre!


Marissa Jaret Winokur: "OK. I thought my poor dad was gonna have
a heart attack  in the audience when I was in the final two!
No family at results shows ever again!
 I kept looking at him saying 'It's okay I love you.'
My mom was panicked, but looked cooler so I wasn't worried
about her. She did talk to all the press - she was very proud
...and maybe crazy ;)"




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