Nastia Liukin and Sasha Farber were the high scorers on Dancing With the Stars this week–even in light of Derek Hough’s absence on the dance floor. Hough is nursing a couple of injuries, so Farber filled in for the pro dancer.
“Derek’s definitely got some big shoes to fill…It’s not the best circumstance for me to step in,” Sasha said during an interview with E!.
Derek hasn’t taken complete leave of his Dancing With the Stars duties, however. He’s been choreographing their routines and was involved in the performance.
“It’s literally a team effort,” Sasha said. “I’ve been having so much fun, but I just hope he heals really quickly and gets back in the competition.”
Nastia Liukin and Sasha Farber received two tens and two nines for their routine, which was indeed the highest score of the week. Even though fans may want Derek Hough to hurry up and get back on the dance floor, Nastia Liukin told her pro partner to take it slow.
Reliving last night's performance. Thank you @derekhough @SashaFarber #DWTS pic.twitter.com/bgU8zZkT3J
— Nastia Liukin (@NastiaLiukin) April 28, 2015
“We’re taking it day by day, and I think that’s really the only way you can really do it,” she said. “But he does have a busy summer, a busy year ahead of him, so I kind of told him, ‘Please don’t rush it. You have so much ahead of you.’ Obviously I would love to dance with him next week, but if he’s not ready enough to do that then we have Sasha, who has been absolutely amazing.”
Why Nastia Liukin Is Telling Derek Hough Not to Hurry Back to Dancing With the Stars http://t.co/8tnLTfy3QA
— E! News (@ENews) April 28, 2015
Derek Hough is a lucky man. To have the full cooperation and support of Nastia Liukin must mean a lot to him. While some contestants would want their pro partner back at any cost, clearly Nastia has his future in mind as well.
As anyone who dances knows, an injury to a foot or ankle can be career-ending. Clearly Nastia Liukin doesn’t want this to happen to Derek Hough.
In case you missed our dance, check it out 🙂 #HoneyImGood #DWTS #TeamHoughkin @andygrammer @derekhough @SashaFarber http://t.co/muSnQiOfW4
— Nastia Liukin (@NastiaLiukin) April 28, 2015
Do you think Nastia Liukin will win this season of DWTS? Can she score that mirror ball trophy without Derek Hough by her side on the dance floor?