Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Danielle Fishel | From Topanga to Doing the Tango on DWTS & Everything In Between!

Episode Date: November 18, 2025

#894. Today on Off the Vine, Kaitlyn sits down with the legendary Danielle Fishel — aka the one and only Topanga! The episode opens with Kaitlyn finally apologizing for something she’s ca...rried guilt over for seven years, and from there, Danielle takes us straight behind the curtain of her Boy Meets World journey — from the unexpected way she landed the role to the twist that almost changed her character entirely.She also opens up about a major personal chapter she recently navigated and how it reshaped every part of her life — including what she chooses to say yes to now.Then we dive into her Dancing with the Stars season… and you guys, this part is wild. Danielle reveals what really went down behind the scenes, the injury that almost took her out, and how she pushed through some of the most intense weeks of her career.This one has everything you love: nostalgia, honesty, laughter, and moments that will leave your jaw on the floor. Trust us… you’re going to want to listen from start to finish!If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Booking.com: Head over to booking.com and start your listing today! Get Seen. Get Booked on Booking.com!Function Health: My first 1000 listeners get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/VINE or use gift code VINE100 at sign-up to own your health.Knix: Head to Knix.com for their black friday sale and use code VINE for 20 percent off your order – get leakproof undies, amazing bras, and more! Baked By Melissa: Right now, Baked by Melissa is offering our listeners 20% off your order at Bakedbymelissa.com/VINEBombas: Head over to Bombas.com/vine and use code vine for 20% off your first purchase.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (03:25) Kaitlyn finally apologizes to Danielle for something she’s carried for seven years!(11:45) How Danielle Fishel really landed Topanga — and the shocking twist that almost changed everything.(26:18) Danielle opens up about a life-changing personal chapter.(37:08) DWTS drama: the injury that almost ended her season!(51:10) The most memorable & unforgettable moment on her DWTS journey.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 This episode of Off The Vine is brought to you by Booking.com. Since 2010, they have helped over one billion vacation rental guests find places to say. That's billion with a B. Head on over to booking.com and get started on your listing today. Get seen. Get booked on booking.com. Function Health, my first 1,000 listeners, get a $100 credit towards their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com slash Vine or use gift code Vine 100 at sign up to own your health. Nix head to nix.com for their blog.
Starting point is 00:00:30 Black Friday sale and use code Vine for 20% off your order. Get leakproof undies, amazing bras, and more. Baked by Melissa, right now Baked by Melissa is running a site wide up to 25% off sale for Black Friday at Baked by Melissa.com slash Vine. And Bombas, head over to bombos.com slash vine and use code Vine for 20% off your first purchase. You're listening to Off the Vine with Caitlin Bristow. Hey, Vinos, real quick, if you are listening right now, which obviously you are or you wouldn't be hearing this, can you hit the subscribe or follow button on whatever platform you're on?
Starting point is 00:01:07 Please, that one simple thing helps more than you even realize it allows me to keep growing on this podcast and making these episodes the best they can possibly be obviously for you. That's the only favorite I'm going to ever ask, okay? It truly means the world to me. Thank you. Now let's get into it. Hey, everybody. Welcome to Off the Vine.
Starting point is 00:01:25 I'm your host, Caitlin Bristow. And today we have Danielle Fischel. on the pod today. I was so excited to have her because obviously dancing with the stars, obviously needed to talk about Boy Meets World, and I really needed to apologize to her for something, and I'm glad it went the way that it did. So enjoy this conversation with Danielle. Why am I in such a, well, I'm in a rush for a little reason, but like, why am I this angry? Yeah. In traffic. I pretty much ask myself that every time I get in the car. Here especially.
Starting point is 00:01:52 Yeah. Where do you live? Nashville. Okay. Yeah. And I just. Is traffic bad there? Yeah. Actually, at certain times. But, like, I just don't drive at those times. Right. But I feel like here it's like, you just never know. You never know. It could be any time.
Starting point is 00:02:04 And also, weekends used to mean something like, oh, well, let's just do that on the weekend. Now, honestly, the worst day of the week to be in the car at any time of day is a Saturday. Really? The worst. It doesn't matter. Yeah, because everyone's doing something going somewhere. Everyone wants to go somewhere. Yay.
Starting point is 00:02:17 I know. I mean, like, on the one hand, I'm happy for us. Sure. People have lives. Sure. And there are places to go and things to do. Sure. On the other hand, I wish everyone would just stay home and let me go places.
Starting point is 00:02:26 I know. I know. I always act like I'm the only person of the world. I'm like, why are you in my way? Yeah. I'm trying to get somewhere. I also feel that way like I'm the only person who has an abnormal job schedule. Like, if I'm at the mall on a Tuesday at noon, I'm like, what? Does anyone work? Yeah. What does everybody do in the city? What does everyone do? I think the same thing. Why are we like this? What is your sign? I'm a tourist. Okay. What are you? I'm Gemini. Oh, okay. So when's your birthday? June 19th. All right. I'm May 5th. Oh, May 5th. Oh, yeah, because my best friend is a tourist. My best friend since we We were like three who she's freaking out that I'm talking to you right now because her now her kids are watching Boy Meets World. Oh, cute.
Starting point is 00:03:03 And don't you think that's so fun how it's like a full circle now where our generation's kids? Yes. Oh, yeah. And there's something so comforting and like nostalgic for us, but like comforting about 90s television. Totally. What is that? Just simpler times?
Starting point is 00:03:17 Simpler times and yeah, I mean, definitely simpler times. I also think there was like less fear of showing kids pretending to be. adults. But like when they make the mistakes, like, of course you're going to, not berating them for it, but really just like explaining why it was a mistake. And now everyone's too afraid to show mistakes. It's so scary to make a mistake these days. I know. I used to live in fear of that. I just can't anymore because I'm like, I know I'm like a good person. I have made mistakes. I've done some really dumb, ignorant things. And I learn from it each time. And it's, I love accountability. I hate the cancel culture. Yeah. We're also never going to stop making
Starting point is 00:04:01 mistakes. Never. It's not even just about looking back and saying like, ooh, look at all those mistakes I made. It's like, I will walk out of here and make another mistake. And I don't want anyone to think I'm not aware of that. I know. I make them all the time. And I don't mind somebody pointing it out. Sure. This is bringing something up for me. And I didn't know if I was going to say it on the air or off the air, but do you know that I owe you an apology? No. You don't? No. I really do. And I've thought about this for probably seven years. Oh my gosh. I'm dying to know what this is. I also love that you don't remember because I literally have lost sleep over this. You might remember when I say it. But I did a podcast with Wells Adams. And we said something about your body. Okay. In a positive, in my mind, a positive way. I mean, I have a vague recollection of a podcast with Wells. And maybe I talked to Wells about it. You did. I did. Okay. And I told him, because I didn't have a way of contacting you, and I didn't want to just DM you, and I was like, please tell her that I am mortified. And I am so deeply sorry because once I spoke about it, it was something about, we'll call them breasts. Sure. Yes, I remember now. I mean, yes, I remember now. Okay. And I thought about it, and I went, I'm so glad you said something to Wells because it made me go, I didn't think about how you probably as a child actor, you were so many boys.
Starting point is 00:05:26 crushes and like I'm sure older men made inappropriate. And it was in a time where I'm sure that people didn't know boundaries and didn't say things. So I thought about it after, I'm telling you, I thought about it for seven years. Oh my gosh. And I'm so sorry that I ever said something like, you know, what's funny is that because I addressed it with Wells, who by the way, is the person I felt I didn't even remember that it was you, not because I didn't know you. Yeah. I had never met you. And Wells I had met and I had spent time with, even if it was just that one. evening. Right. And so I did feel like, yeah. I do. I just felt like, hmm, that made me, that just made me feel a certain way that I was then a little, not sad about, but just maybe
Starting point is 00:06:08 disappointed. Yeah. Absolutely. And so, but the funny thing is that for you to have been worried about it for seven years, the minute I addressed it with him. It was done. Squashed. Gone. And it literally out of my brain. I would never have even remembered it. I, well, even for Wells, I would never have remembered it. I said to my sister and my best friend, I was like, even if she doesn't remember, I still like, I need to apologize because it was wrong and I was part of that conversation. And when Wells called me, he was so upset at himself too. And then I was like, please. I'm like, this is all happening for a reason. I'm here to on this podcast, apologize for having anything to do with that conversation. Well, you know what's funny too is that there's a history. There's always
Starting point is 00:06:47 something. When something like that brings something up or you feel a certain way about it, Usually it's because, like you mentioned, like I was a child actor. People talked about my body all the time. I didn't have any control over it. But also like that very specific conversation, I know people hate this word. And I feel like I've used it more lately than ever, but it's very triggering for me. Because there was one time I went into a meeting with a showrunner that I greatly respected. And I knew of his work. I thought he was extremely talented. He had done a bunch of stuff. And I had a show idea. I wanted to pitch for him. And I went in and he, and he, He was like, yes, let's come in. I'm so excited to talk to you about this idea. And I pitched it to him, and he completely, I mean, immediately disregarded it and stopped. And then proceeded to tell me what show he did think I should do that was starring me, even though the project I was there to pitch was about, it was a kid show, but it should be starring me.
Starting point is 00:07:41 And he brought up my Maxim cover and talked about certain parts of my body. And then I was like, okay. and I said, I don't want to talk about that. I would feel more comfortable talking about the thing that I'm here to talk about. And he did not. He went right back to parts of my body. And in his mind, in a very positive way. He was effusive in a positive way about certain parts of my body.
Starting point is 00:08:07 And I just felt very shut down. Like, no matter what I say, I've already said, I don't want to talk about this. It's still going to happen. And then I left that meeting and I had to send him an email about it. And I said, thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me. I know how busy you are. I really respect you. I do, though, have to tell you that that made me very uncomfortable.
Starting point is 00:08:30 Good for you. And he wrote me back and told me that he had no idea how I'd made it this far in the industry if I had such thin skin and that I was entirely wrong for feeling any way about it. I thought there was going to be a comeback story. No, there was no comeback story. And I remember thinking at the time, this is going to do one of two things for me. It's either going to make me never speak up for myself again because it will just get me shut down, or it's going to show me that even if you don't get the response you want,
Starting point is 00:09:04 being happy and proud of yourself for being able to express yourself in those situations is going to be worthwhile. And that was the choice I ended up making. And so when the, I remember when it happened with Wells being like, all these people, feelings and like last time when I brought it up, it didn't go well. And he, I feel bad because he doesn't owe me anything. We just met. And like, I don't think they meant anything by it. But I did. And he was the polar opposite. He was like, oh, shit. I feel bad. And now here you are. So thank you. Apology accepted. Never think about it again.
Starting point is 00:09:35 Oh my God. Kate, you were literally my team that I root for, I'm Canadian and I cheer for the Edmonton Oilers. And you were in my suite at the L.A. game against the Oilers for, and I I was like, now's not the time, Caitlin. Now is not the time. And then I was like, she probably doesn't want me to talk to her. And this whole time, I'm creating a story in my head. No, not even, no, no. But I was like, she's with her family.
Starting point is 00:09:58 I'm not going to bring it up now. But I wanted to apologize then. I was like, this whole day, I'm like, I'm finally getting the opportunity to just clear the air. And I'm so glad I did. Oh, me too. But thank you. Thank you so much.
Starting point is 00:10:11 Never think about it again. And it just felt like it was the right time because we were talking about. But I was thinking about that for you, just how hard that would be to be in that world of criticism at such a young age, even though you probably had the time of your life doing it. But it comes with so much. It's like, do you feel ever that you missed out on certain childhood things? Were you able to like mix in both and like do school and have friends and also act? I was able to do all of it. I mean, sure, was there a part of me that was like, I want to be a cheerleader and I couldn't do that. You know, you couldn't commit to team sports or
Starting point is 00:10:43 because your schedule belongs to the show. But I did. go to my regular school. Every hiatus week, I was back on campus at my regular high school. I went to every school dance. I went to almost every football game. I was, you know, friends with everyone at school. As a matter of fact, my core group of girls are still the girls I met in sixth grade at my high school. Wow. And so, yeah, I really feel like I had the best of both worlds. Yeah. Did you grow up here? I did, yeah. Yeah, because I feel like if you grew up in the town that I grew up in, people would not leave you alone they'd be like it's fucking like like they would freak out where I feel like in LA it's more like oh of course you're not like did that or did you feel like people were still
Starting point is 00:11:22 freaking out no you know when I started when because I started Boy Meets World the same year I moved to a new school so but it was also junior high so everyone was in a new school it was like the start of sixth grade so everyone was in a new school and there was a little bit of like sixth and seventh grade there was a little bit of like who do you think you are because I would leave for three weeks at a time. And I'd go, you know, do the show. And then I'd come back. I know exactly who I am. And they'd be like, hey, princess. Like, oh, look who gets to stroll back into school. And it was like, do you guys know that I'm also doing still my schoolwork? Like, it's not just that I don't have to do it. Right. And then I get to show up. I, I have to do
Starting point is 00:12:01 it just not here in the same classroom with you. But I don't know that they knew that, you know, like 12 year olds. They don't know. They don't know. Well, to have that kind of work ethic at 12, too, Like, were you always kind of just a go-getter? Yeah. I mean, I think I have always been the type of person that sees something, pretty much sees everything as a challenge and am competitive enough that I'm going to give it my all. You're going to do the thing. Yeah, I'm going to do the damn thing.
Starting point is 00:12:29 Yeah, that's... I feel very competitive, which probably helped you on Dancing with the Stars, which we will obviously get to. But I do want to know how you got the role of Topanga. And I'm sure you've talked about this a million, billion times. but we have to get it out of the way because I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't talk about Boy Meets World.
Starting point is 00:12:44 Yes, because there is probably somebody who does not know the story. Exactly. Boy Meets World came about. I was 12 years old and I got the audition for Topanga and I remember getting what we call sides, the pages that you're going to read for the audition.
Starting point is 00:12:57 And Danielle at 12 knew precisely zero about acting. I knew how to be myself. The only real acting classes I had taken were commercial workshop classes. And, like, commercials are about you showcasing your bubbly personality. Commercials all want somebody bubbly. And Danielle was very bubbly.
Starting point is 00:13:19 Danielle is very bubbly. I'm going to stop talking about myself in third person eventually. I am a very bubbly person. So all of my commercial workshop classes were just, you know, yelling, skittles, skittles, you want some? Like, that kind of stuff. Yeah. And I remember getting to sides and reading the lines of Topanga and then going in there and reading them the way Danielle.
Starting point is 00:13:41 would read those lines. And I didn't even get a callback. It was like, I had the first audition and I walked out and they were like, okay, not for her. And then the next day, I got another audition for Boy Meets World for a different character. And this character had just like a couple of lines. And I went in for that audition and I got that part. This is not Topanga. Not Topanga. See, I didn't know the story. So I'm like, wow. We now lovingly refer to her on our podcast as fish girl. So I get the role of fish girl. And I show up at the first rehearsal day. I'm at the table read. And the girl they cast as Topanga is there. And I hear her and I watch her. And she is doing work on a totally different level than I ever could have. She had a deeper voice. She was much
Starting point is 00:14:35 slower in her delivery. She was more thoughtful. And I remember thinking, Oh, I see why I didn't get it. If that's what they wanted, that's not what I gave them. And then we leave the rehearsal, I mean the table read day, and we go into our first day of rehearsal. And now I get to watch the director work with her and hear him say like, let's try the line this way. This character's supposed to be more like this.
Starting point is 00:14:59 Let's try it and work with her. And the whole time, I'm like, this is my first ever acting class. I am just. Were you like locked in? Locked in. I was like, you can try. change the way you say something? I mean, truly, like just.
Starting point is 00:15:16 And so I remember thinking, I had that feeling you get when you're a little kid and you're like, ooh, oh, oh, I want to try it again. I feel like the world has just opened up to me. And, you know, I don't know the real story about what all went on behind the scenes, but what I do know is that by the time that day was over, they had let her go. She was no longer going to be playing the part. And they had the option of doing a full recap. bringing in people from the outside, or bringing in the two girls, Fish Girl One and Fish Girl
Starting point is 00:15:46 Two, that they had on the set and being like, can you audition for this again? Whoa. And so that other girl, Fish Girl 2, was Marla Sokoloff, who is, you know, gone on to have a fantastic, wonderful, successful career in her own, right? So Marla and I go in together individually, one at a time, and each audition, Marla goes in first and she comes out and she was about ready to get on a flight. She was going to San Francisco. That's where she lived.
Starting point is 00:16:08 and the casting director needed every single phone number for every person in her life of a way to get a hold of her because if she gets it on Monday she's coming back as a different character they need to get a hold of her over the weekend and I'm thinking like well that audition must have gone well because they're like let me get your manager's number
Starting point is 00:16:22 your fax number your pager number do you have a car phone like you know it's 93 so we're like they're asking for every landline they can get a hold of then I go in there and I audition and I leave and they're like bye Danielle stop and I walk out to the car with my mom and I burst into tears. I'm like, I didn't get it. There's no way.
Starting point is 00:16:42 I'm so sad. They needed every number for Marla. And meanwhile, my dad is like expecting us home an hour ago. You know, this is at the end of a work day. And so my mom's like, pick up the Zach Morris car phone and call your dad and tell him that we're on our way. Yes, it's like 350 a second to talk on those phones. And so I do. I call my dad.
Starting point is 00:16:59 And I'm like, hi, he's like, where are you guys? What's taking so long? I start to tell him the story. And he goes, hold on, hold on. I'm getting a call waiting. and then he comes back from the call waiting and he goes, that was someone named Sally Steiner telling you to show
Starting point is 00:17:12 up on Monday as to Panga and my mom and I go What a roller coaster! Exactly, what a roller coaster. Oh my gosh. So then you probably loved her as a character so much more because you were so invested in that. Yes. I had just
Starting point is 00:17:28 I had auditioned and didn't care at all about the character and then I fell in love with the character. Then I got the role. It was like, yeah. Going from Fish Girl to Topanga should be on your tombstone. I mean, right? Honestly, Fish Girl to Topanga. By the way, Topanga was only supposed to do one episode.
Starting point is 00:17:46 Maybe, like that was going to be her one episode. Maybe a three episode. Maybe a three episode arc. And then obviously the chemistry was great and it went well and it all worked out and I ended up doing seven seasons. Damn, that is so cool. Yeah. It's really such an iconic role.
Starting point is 00:18:04 It really is. You said, like, you really could play yourself, but you didn't know how to act. Is the Topanga that you played is, like, the quirky, fun, cute. Is that you? The original Topanga is nothing like me. The adorable Topanga everyone fell in love with is not me. The Topanga that you see in the later seasons where she's very type A and she's very, you know, caring and maternal. Like, that was Danielle.
Starting point is 00:18:30 Ah, you grew into her. Yeah, I mean, that is what happened. We grew into. too. I now describe Topanga as being, you know, so close to me that she just lives on the other side of my heart. I'm not really sure where she starts and I begin. Yeah. Or where she ends and I begin. I'm not really sure where that ends. Yeah. Okay, I don't know about you guys, but this time of year my body really starts waving the white flag between travel, family plans, trying to do all the things. I just feel so run down and honestly, I wanted to know what was really going on underneath it all. And that is why I chose function health. It's the only health platform that gives you access to data that most people actually never get. Over 100 biomarkers that track everything from hormones and toxins to heart health, inflammation, and stress. And you even have. have the option to add MRI or chest CT scans all in one secure place so you can actually see how your health evolves over time. This part is wild to me. Function showed me how stress was showing
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Starting point is 00:21:32 for 20% off leakproof undies amazing bras and more that's nix Was it hard? Like, you know how the method acting comes into play? Is it hard to separate? Because I've never done acting. I auditioned for a couple commercials once, but like I did reality TV. Is it hard to separate the two? Do you get lost in the character? Or is it pretty easy to shut it off and compartmentalize? I mean, I haven't really done that many characters. Yeah. So I don't have like an extensive resume of like, hmm, I don't know. I think for some people it is, you know, some people have a really hard time.
Starting point is 00:22:10 But I just mean, like, from Topanga to you. Oh, I'm not sure we're really any different at this point. Okay. Like, I was nervous when I went to Girl Meets World. Yeah. Yeah. Because I wasn't married. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:22:20 And I wasn't a mom. Yeah. And I thought, I don't know that I'm going to, am I going to know? And I absolutely did. Yeah. But it's in you. I know Topanga so well that I feel like you could throw anything at me as her. and I would know how she would handle it.
Starting point is 00:22:38 Yeah, that's, I, I loved talking to, uh, again, I just want to call her Stephanie Tanner. Jody Sweeten, yes, Jody Sweeten about it. And she was saying the same thing. Yeah. And it's, I just find that so cool. It's like, you did that for seven years and then girl meets world. I totally forgot. Girl Meets World.
Starting point is 00:22:52 And then so how was the transition after all these seasons and was it liberating to be done? Or were you like, what now? Oh, no. It was very liberating to be done. As much as I loved Boy Meets World. those last several seasons of the show are difficult. Anybody who's ever been committed to a show, whether it's reality or scripted for seven years,
Starting point is 00:23:17 will probably have felt some sort of burnout at some time. I know Will Fidel, my amazing co-host on Pod Meets World and from Boy Meets World, he played Eric Matthews. He's the only person I have spoken to. Well, that's not true. He's one of the only people I've spoken to who's like, I would still be doing it right the second. If we could have done it for 33 years, I would still be doing it.
Starting point is 00:23:39 Really? Yeah. And for the rest of us, we just started to get to a point where you start to feel like there are other things I meant to be doing and this is now holding me back. The funny thing was that all I felt it was holding me back from was like some personal life that I thought was going to thrive. Yeah. But I also always envisioned I was going to get married at like 21 or 23. And I was like, this show's stopping me from meeting men. Like, what a way. Just such a waste, honestly. Such a waste to have been worried about that.
Starting point is 00:24:12 That is so, no, I mean, I still, I'm 40 now. And I'm like, oh, okay, now I think I'm ready to be in a relationship. I thought I was at 21, but now I'm like, oh. Yeah. I mean, so much time wasted thinking about relationships in that way. Well, I thought this, last night I was trying to fall asleep and I was like, are relationships a scam? Is it like some sort of pyramid scheme that we're all told, like, this is what you do?
Starting point is 00:24:36 Yeah. Because I saw there's a Vogue article or something about how it's lame to have a boyfriend now. I know. Gosh, I wish that energy had been around when I was a kid. It's like so powerful to just be a single female now and I'm like, what? What? I know. All I literally wanted was just to be someone's partner.
Starting point is 00:24:53 Like, I just so. And, yeah. Because that's what we're taught to think we need to be too. Yes. Well, my parents also met at 15, got married at 21. And we're still together? Still together? Well, for 30 years.
Starting point is 00:25:05 Wow. They then got divorced in their early 50s. Which honestly, kind of amazing. 30 years, no one can call you not having a successful marriage. Yeah, and then you get divorced at 51 and you have a whole new life. Yeah. My parents actually did that too. They were together, I think 27 years and then got divorced and then had a whole life.
Starting point is 00:25:27 It's so bad ass. I really, I really admire it. I actually, I do as well now. Yeah, yeah. Because at the time, I was like, well, same. But now I'm like, yeah. And they both, it's like they refound themselves and found a partner that was right for them. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:25:42 Did you, so how old were you when they divorced? 18. Okay. I was like 27. Wow. And I have never felt so much like I reverted to being a seven-year-old. That makes a lot of sense, actually. I mean, I revert to being a seven-year-old just being around my family.
Starting point is 00:25:55 I find myself being like, who is this person? But that makes a lot of sense. Yeah. I was like, like as if I truly as if a six-year-old had just, yeah. How did you do this? Like what? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:26:09 But I mean, I've done so much inner child therapy that I'm like, let's dig into it. No, we're not digging into it. But that makes a lot of sense because that's what we do. Yeah. Especially in times where we're scared. I also like, what a weird thing to think. But I was like, my whole family is a lie. It's all a lie.
Starting point is 00:26:24 Like I remember there being a period of time where I would look at a family picture of us and be like, do I have to rip? this up? I actually went through that exact same thing. I was like, was my whole life alive? The whole life's a lie. Everything's a lie. And then I'm like, okay, obviously with therapy, I'm in a healthier place. But yeah, it's still working on time. Same. My therapist actually said to me once, she goes, you do bring up your parents divorce a lot? I'm like, do I? You know what? You're right. Like, I'm going to work on that. Wow. I didn't realize it. I'll bring it up in like positive ways too, but she's like, you're still bringing it up.
Starting point is 00:26:55 Like my parents are friends though. They're great friends. They call each other on their birthdays. So we're good. It's okay. She's like, then stop talking about it. Yeah, my family was not a lie. That's so funny. Okay, so we'll fast forward now to, I don't, we don't need to spend too much time on Girl Means World because I need to talk about dancing with stars with you, and I'm like, I need to get there. But just, okay, 2024, let's rewind that. You shared with the world that you were diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, which is obviously such a life-changing moment. Like, how did finishing radiation treatment shift your priorities in that time? because your whole world goes,
Starting point is 00:27:30 skirt, stop. Yeah. And you have to, I can't even imagine. It's crazy because you, it's not even like I went in to have a test because I had a lump. Right. And so I went in because it was just time for my yearly checkup. And I had only had one other mammogram in my life. They recommend you.
Starting point is 00:27:50 How old were you at this time? I was 42 at the time of my first mammogram. Okay. And you're supposed to start at 40. Right. But I was pregnant at 40. and breastfeeding at 41. Got it.
Starting point is 00:28:00 And you don't go in for mammograms when you know, you're breastfeeding or you're pregnant. So my first mammogram was when I was done breastfeeding. I was 42 and it was clear. There were, you know,
Starting point is 00:28:11 the calcifications that they decided were benign and it was totally fine. And then exactly a year later I get the notification that's like, it's time for your yearly mammogram and I just go, okay, let's book that. And I book it.
Starting point is 00:28:22 And I go in expecting for it to be exactly the same that a couple of days are going to pass and I'm going to get an all clear And then the message I got was, we need you to come back in. Oh, God. It, like, makes your heart drop in your stomach. But you also think, okay, there were calcifications last time.
Starting point is 00:28:39 Oh, see, I go doomsday. I go, oh, God, I'm done. That's what I would have done. Immediately Googles. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I thought this is probably going to be fine. Yeah. I'm just going to go back in.
Starting point is 00:28:51 They want to do, they want to do closer up imaging of my right breast, more 3D images. Sure. Let's go get that taken care of. And then what I wasn't expecting is they tell you when you do that, that day, whether it's normal or not. Okay. So the second one, like, they're like, go sit in the waiting room. And I'm like, I didn't have to do this before. Oh, no.
Starting point is 00:29:11 How long? Five minutes. Five to ten minutes. And did this, did breast cancer run in your family, by the way? So interesting, my aunt, my paternal aunt had also been diagnosed with stage zero DCIS in her, I think, early 50s so maybe late 40s late 40s early 50s and I was aware of that okay but I yeah you don't think your aunt is going to pass something down you also think like it was I didn't really even know stage zero cancer was too much of a thing I didn't know I didn't remember or even know that what she had was
Starting point is 00:29:45 stage zero I do remember them saying it is cancer but it's very early and I remember that her treatment was going to be kind of quick you know just a lumpectomy yeah so I just I just thought okay this is all going to be fine. And then that day, they're like, your results are abnormal. We need you to have a biopsy. So I went out into the lobby to book the biopsy. And at this point now, you're internally shaking. Yeah. Because you've just found something out. I want to text my husband. Yeah. I want to text my mom. And you can't, because you have to do this now very boring, perfunctory thing of scheduling an appointment and looking into your calendar to see when we can do this. Yeah. And the date that they offered me was like more than a month away. You're like, um. And I
Starting point is 00:30:27 I was like, oh, are we sure this is the very earliest appointment? Because I now am not going to be able to think about this for a full month, wondering if it's like cancer. And she's like, let me look. And she looks on the computer and she does some things. And then her and somebody else talk. And then she's like, how about two weeks from now? And I go, great.
Starting point is 00:30:49 I will take it. Absolutely. And it just so happened. The biopsy day was the day after we were getting back from a trip to Mexico with the kids. And I thought, okay, good, because once you have a biopsy, you can't get wet for a few days. And I thought, great, I'll go enjoy my vacation. I'm going to enjoy my vacation. I'm going to spend the time with my kids.
Starting point is 00:31:06 And then I'm going to come home and this will be fine. And, of course, my doctor is saying to me, just so you know, the majority of these, even the biopsies, come back benign. People have to have biopsies all the time. She's like, I'm looking at it. I don't see anything that looks super suspicious. I think this is going to, this is. So you're getting a lot of reassurance. A lot of reassurance.
Starting point is 00:31:28 And then I do go in for the biopsy. And while I'm even on the biopsy table, they're saying to me, just so you know, the majority of these, 80 to 90% of these, come back benign. And I think having all of that reassurance
Starting point is 00:31:41 actually started making me feel like, this is not going to be good. Really? You think it would be the other way around. Yeah. But I was like, people are so sure this is going to be nothing. Oh, no.
Starting point is 00:31:50 I just am not so sure. And my husband was also completely convinced it was going to be nothing. Yeah. Yeah, because you feel, I mean, until your bubble is burst, you feel invincible. Like, you just feel like nothing's going to happen until it does. Yes. So you're just like, no, this isn't going to happen to me.
Starting point is 00:32:05 It's going to be fine. Yeah. It's going to be fine. Yeah. And then I got the call from my doctor when I was at swim class with my kids. So my kids were, I had one running around next to me and the other one was in the pool getting a swim lesson. And I saw that my doctor was calling.
Starting point is 00:32:19 And I answered. And she said, hi, are you, are you alone? Oh gosh, that right there, you know. And I was like, no, I'm not alone. I'm with the kids and we're at swim class. But now you're going to have to tell me anyway, because I already know this isn't an all clear. And so she just, you know, came right out with it.
Starting point is 00:32:39 It's ductal carcinoma in situ. And I was like, you're going to have to text that to me. Yeah, don't get down for me. Because I don't know how to spell any of that. And I am going to have to research. And she said, you know, it's very, very early, but it is cancer. and it's high grade and all these things that I'm like, I don't know what this means. It sounds scary.
Starting point is 00:33:00 It does. It sounds, it is scary. And thankfully, of all the things that you could have that you've Googled, it always leads, first of all, it's just like, I have a cough. They're like, well, it could be cancer. Yes. And so then I thought, what's going to happen when I Google? Here's the cancer I have.
Starting point is 00:33:17 It's going to give me something awful. And it was the first ever Google search maybe that I've ever done that I actually felt better about after. I was like, oh, I've got this. I've got this. It's very early. I'm going to be okay. Good.
Starting point is 00:33:30 The next few months to a year and maybe, and you know, really truthfully, five years now that I'm in it are going to be, are going to involve multiple doctor's appointments, lots of conversation, a lot of anxiety around scans, scansity, as we call it. Oh, yeah, that's real. I'm going to have some of that. And I'm going to be on a medication that's going to, you know, give me not so wonderful side effects. So I'm on tamoxifen, which is an estrogen suppressant. So it stops estrogen from going to my breasts. Wow. And so, you know, like, but. So you're still on this?
Starting point is 00:34:03 Yeah, I just started it in February and I'll be taking it for five years. Wow. Yeah, which is ultimately when we get to Dancing with the Stars. Yes. One of the reasons why I had the injuries that I had. Right. Okay. So let's go there. Walk us through the moment you got the call for Dancing with the Stars. Was that something that you went, am I going to be able to do this?
Starting point is 00:34:21 No. I did not know that my Tamoxifen. was caused bruising. I did not, there's probably a lot of side effects that I chose to just not really pay too much attention to because I didn't want them in my head. I was going to say, it's probably one of those things that once you see them, you're like, because the brain is so powerful that it would manifest in itself. 100%. What my doctor had said to me, my oncologist had said to me about going on it was,
Starting point is 00:34:46 one of the side effects that happens to a lot of people is joint and muscle pain. so what we highly recommend is that before you start taking it, make sure you are in a good exercise regimen because that'll keep you healthy. It'll keep you from feeling some of those side effects. Otherwise, if you're just going to be achy and sore and you want to be able to stay on this for the full five years. If you can't and the side effects are too great, we can readjust. But I went into it like this lowers my percent chance of having a recurrence by 50 percent. Wow. Like a lot. And so I want to stay on it if I can. So before Dancing with the Stars, I had started making sure I was walking regularly, that I was
Starting point is 00:35:26 working out regularly. And I did have some other negative side effects, but they all ended up going away. So on their own, they were going away with time. And so I get the reach out for Dancing with the Stars. And I'm like, this is exactly what I want to prove to myself I can do one year after a cancer. Your competitive spirit kicked in. 100%. Also, just even for my kids, they don't get it now.
Starting point is 00:35:51 because they don't even fully understand that I even had cancer. Like, they don't need to know that. They just knew Mommy was sick and I had to have some surgery and I'm fine. Yeah. But like, I want my kids to look back on this time and go, I can't believe my mom, one, had cancer
Starting point is 00:36:06 and I never even knew it because she was still able to be in our lives. And I'm not saying that if you aren't able to do that or if your kids know, it means you're somehow less than. Of course. Because, by the way, there were days. I wasn't able to participate. And I had to be like,
Starting point is 00:36:20 mommy's going to be in bed this afternoon and my husband had to step in. But I do want my kids to look back and be like, wow, that feels like such a blip on the radar of our life and our experience with my mom. And then one year later, she went and did something completely out of her comfort zone on a national stage. And, you know, one year after cancer, like that. So it was just an immediate yes for me. Even though Dancing with the Stars had asked me many times before. And it was always, like, no, for many different reasons, timing mostly. This was the fastest yes of this year, for sure. I love that because I do feel like, dancing is just something that I think is just so joyful. Like it's, you're moving your body, you're in the moment, you're listening to music, you're learning. Yes.
Starting point is 00:37:09 I just, I love dance so much. I grew up dancing and I just love it. And I just think like to, I don't think people know how challenging dancing with the stars is until they do it. You can't possibly. No one. It's very similar to having children in the sense that, like, people can tell you what it feels like to love a child or what it feels like to be a parent. And then you have one and you're like, nothing could have prepared me.
Starting point is 00:37:32 Dance with the Stars, very similar. Nothing can prepare you. It really is, but it must be such. So that must have been challenging as well with side effects and all of those things to be. Because my body hurt and I was perfectly healthy and my body was falling apart doing that. And you made it far. Yeah, thank you. Thank you. I, yeah, I mean, I am just, I'm the type of person who, when Pasha and I were talking like that first week when we were talking about when we were doing our tango and it was like doing that high kick and all these lunges and then in the second week when he was like, can you do the splits and can you do a cartwheel? And can't, yes, I can. And he was like, great. When was last time you did them? And I was like, I was 10. But in my mind, I did it. Yeah. I can't do a cartwheel now without getting so dizzy. And like, I'm like, where am I? So I was like, yeah, I can.
Starting point is 00:38:19 And he's like, okay, well, 10 may not be the same. And I'm like, it is. If I have ever done it, I will do it again. I will. And I obviously kind of overdid it. I snapped a tendon in my hamstring. And I have a very high pain tolerance. So I didn't know I snapped a tendon.
Starting point is 00:38:38 Oh my gosh. I know. It seems pretty insane because everyone said to me that when they had snapped their tendon. Now, I did not rip my hamstring off the bone. It is grade three. So it's like, it's hanging by a thread, basically. Oh my God.
Starting point is 00:38:52 One of my, one of my main tendons in my hamstring. And you were like, do-to-do-do? Yeah, I was like, do-to-do. I'm a little sore. I called my husband on the way home and I said, my leg is a little sore. I'm going to go get a deep tissue massage. Yeah. Oh, no.
Starting point is 00:39:06 Did that aggravate it? That's, so I had somebody then for 80 minutes, dig their elbow into my hamstrings. Oh, my gosh. that obviously had all these, had a tear. And so there was a lot of blood. Oh, gosh. So then with their elbow, they dug into my leg. And there was, I saw a lot of discourse online about how it was like attacking this massage therapist.
Starting point is 00:39:29 I would never have done that. And I was like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, I didn't know. Right. Therefore, they could not have known. Yeah. I did not go in there and say, I snapped my tendon. Could you dig your elbow into it? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:39:38 You said, I want a deep tissue massage. I said, I am here for a deep tissue massage. And they did what I asked. But it broke every capillary, every capillary in my leg. And my whole thigh turned purple. And then because of the bruise, because of the bruising, it got very swollen. My leg was twice its normal size. I was wearing a compression sleeve and continuing to dance on it every day.
Starting point is 00:40:00 And then with gravity, it just pulled all the blood down. So then it became, it looked like I had a flesh-eating disease. I'll never forget, Val. Nobody saw it, except for Pasha because I showed him. Nobody saw it because I was just wearing a compression sleeve. so no one could see and pants. So I was like a compression sleeve and pants. And then after I started to feel a little better,
Starting point is 00:40:18 I was just wearing like, I was wearing shorts and I think I'd taken my compression sleeve off. And as I was walking into the wardrobe area, Val saw me. And I like passed by Val. He's like, hi, Danielle. I was like, hi, Val. And I turned the corner and then I just hear, what in the flesh eating disease is going on with your leg?
Starting point is 00:40:35 And I was like, oh, you're right. Oh, subtle. Sorry. He was like, no, really. What the. is that? And I was like, okay, I, I've snapped my tendon. And he was like, Danielle, that's bad. That's bad. This is very, very bad. And I was like, listen, you're the, you're, you're, you're, you're, you're with my doctors. I get it. Oh my gosh. That's crazy. Yeah. And you just, that, that is like, do you think, were you like that before giving birth?
Starting point is 00:41:02 Yes. I feel like women are just, like, I, of course you did that and kept dancing on it. Yeah, no. I, well, I did, I was smart. I went to, so the person who did my MRI, because I had an MRI, and the person who did my MRI said that I had an 11 centimeter tear and that anything over a five centimeter tear required surgery. Oh, oh, shit. And so the radio, that's what the radiologist said. And so I said, okay, I, that sounds like I'm not going to be able to dance. And so I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. And he is wonderful. And he got me. me in immediately. And he works with a lot of great athletes, especially like, you know, Lakers, Dodgers, like soccer players. He works with a lot of people. And he brought me in. And he was like, yeah, this is a pretty gnarly tear. Yeah. But there is a zero percent chance I would recommend surgery. Okay. Athletes have this happen all the time. And he said, and we never recommend surgery for it. He said, in a perfect world, you would rest for two months. He said, but if you, the athlete in
Starting point is 00:42:05 question are saying to me, that's not going to happen. I'm here to tell you, then we will work with you, and I'm going to treat you like you're in the playoffs. And whatever we have to do to get you through it, we have to get you through it. And I said, great, I don't have to have surgery, thumbs up. Yeah. How do I get this inflammation down? How do I? How did you? Elevating, icing, compression boots. I, my house right now, now that I'm off the show, I look around, I'm like, this, what was I thinking? I acted as though I was going to be doing this for the rest of my life. I have a full PT office. Because you eat sleep and breathe that show.
Starting point is 00:42:38 You are doing like sometimes six to eight hour rehearsals. Correct. Every day you don't get one day off. Sundays, no, Monday's camera blocking. Like it's a whole thing. There's no days off. And if you're not dancing, you've got to go do fittings and press and the interviews. The OTFs and your master interviews. Yes.
Starting point is 00:42:58 Yeah. Yeah. It is nonstop. When I, you know, I can't believe everyone is still going. but my last day, I kept telling everybody, my last day off was September 13th. It's November, whatever it is. Like, my, I have not had a single day that did not involve somewhere between five and 14 hours of dancing with the stars business. But now you're in the family. Isn't it so, isn't it just the best? It's literally the most
Starting point is 00:43:23 incredible, life-changing. Nothing else will compare to the like core, wonderful memories I made doing the show. Yeah, and I feel like everything happens for a reason. I heard that Pasha was not your first choice, but how incredible is he? I could not have been more lucky. Yeah, he's literally the nicest of all of them. The nicest, most patient, consistent. You're never dealing with someone showing up and being like, oh, I'm going to have to manage his emotions today or his mood today or ooh something must be going on in his life he just shows up as the same person day after day after day i know we all feel this way that finding the perfect gift is so hard but if you want something that's thoughtful and fun but also something people actually love baked by melissa has
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Starting point is 00:46:35 and use codevine for 20% off your first purchase. That's B-O-M-B-A-S dot com slash vine, codevine at checkout. And don't you feel like everybody kind of roots for each other? Because you know how hard each other is working. Absolutely. I did not expect that either, because I am a competitive. competitive person. I thought I was going to walk in and there was going to be a little part of me that was going to be like, hi, but in the back of my mind being like, I want to compete with you. It's the polar opposite. I know. You are giving each other advice. You're asking for, you know, what dance are you doing this week? Okay, here's the best thing I learned. Yeah. And whether or not they choose to take it, but you are, we, and then standing up in the skybox on show night. It's so fun and you're just, you get nervous for
Starting point is 00:47:23 other people. You feel their pain. You feel their, their wins. their highs, their lows. I felt like a mother to every single one of those people, even people who were older than me. I had that feeling of like, oh, I know you can do it. You know, like, ah, yes. What is your take on this whole Andy situation? Because obviously he's so lovable. Of course.
Starting point is 00:47:43 But it's so polarizing. I didn't realize until recently how crazy this is. Like people are marching in the streets of New York. Are they really? Yes. It was like a whole thing during the marathon. I was at the New York City Marathon. And there's people who saw.
Starting point is 00:47:56 lines like for Andy. Right, right. And I was just like, oh, and some people are like, who is voting for him? He's got to go. This is not a popularity contest. This is for dance. And then other people are like, ride or die. Andy, like what, what is your take on that now that you have left the competition? My take on it is every person who has signed up for this show is aware that they are signing up for a competition show where ultimately they have zero control. Yes. I knew I had no control over this other than, so what can I control? Texas number. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:48:29 Making sure I tell people to vote, explaining why I want to be there, pouring my time and energy into every dance, and being as strategic as you can be under the circumstances of the show, which is like, there's a theme every week. So now I have to pick a song that fits the theme, and then there's only certain dances you can do to each song, and you can't repeat dances. So you can be as strategic as you want. But ultimately, the voting is in the hands of the American people. And the judging helps only so much.
Starting point is 00:49:01 Yeah. It really, it's, and they had to change that because Bobby Bones is a radio host in Nashville who won. Yes. And I mean, he's more than a radio host. It's like he's syndicated everywhere. Yeah. And I love him.
Starting point is 00:49:13 He's a media personality. He's a media. And people were voting so hard for him that he won the whole thing. And he'll even say it himself. he's like, I was a terrible dancer. And it's so funny, but I'm like, I see that happening this season two, but I'm like, I wonder how much the judge's scores because he's also not getting high scores. Well, that's the thing is that, you know, that just goes to tell you how much people are voting
Starting point is 00:49:36 for him because if they are bridging the gap between him being that low on the leaderboard and the amount of votes, you know, that's really saying something. But ultimately, everyone is entitled to their choice. Yeah. And so the idea of being so angry that someone who is not the best dancer is still in the competition is ultimately a little weird to me. I do not understand the aggressive anger about it. People, I mean, look at the state of the world where people are just angry. So this is an easy thing to beam at it. If there are people who are saying, I'm not voting because I think he's the best answer. I am voting because, one, I see myself in him. And two, he brings me joy in a way other contestants don't. Because you could say, well, like, what's not joyful about any of the other contestants?
Starting point is 00:50:27 That why would you vote for him over someone else? But let's say, for whatever reason, I get, I find more joy in him. I think he's the funniest, whatever. And I do see growth. Yeah. And I just want a show that brings me more joy. Yes. And that is what Dancing with Stars is.
Starting point is 00:50:43 Exactly. It's a show that brings people a lot of joy. And he really is the heart of the show. Yeah. I also think there are this newer, this new fandom that's not crazy to say there's a new fandom to the show. It's the show's been doing better than ever before. And the fact that they did a TikTok night just shows that the Gen Zs are paying attention.
Starting point is 00:51:03 And they come into things also strategically. Yeah. And so there's even people who are voting not because Andy brings them joy or just because they figured out if I vote for this person and my faves. Yeah. then I'm splitting, I'm giving votes to these two directions and the people in the middle will all go away. None of it's in our control. I hate it. I just, it's so crazy because I feel like social media has taken over with this show. Like I've never, and I don't know if I wish it was like
Starting point is 00:51:34 that when I was doing it. It was a thing and our season did well, but it's not like it is today. Yeah. And social media and I just, the nastiness and but also the joy, I'm like this, it's, it's overwhelming I mean, on social media. It's all I see. I know. I thought it was just my feed because I'm in it, but no, it's everywhere. It's literally, my niece is, she never watched when I was, oh, maybe she did, but like she was, she's like, oh my gosh, you get to go and you get to do this. You get to meet these people. And I'm like, I didn't even know you're watching. She goes, everybody's watching. Wow. Wow. And how old is she? 17. Wow. I can't even believe I have a 17 year old niece. But anyways, what was the most like meaningful moment for you in the ballroom? Absolutely.
Starting point is 00:52:15 down our team Chicago dance. Ah, so fun. That whole week was incredible because, you know, Dylan and I, in a fun, jokey, lighthearted way, totally strategized what was going to happen if I ended up being a team captain. So very early on when we were in New York for Good Morning America, I did a TikTok with Dylan using an office quote, like, do you want to form an alliance? Oh, I saw that, yeah. Okay. So we just decided to run with it. We're in an alliance. We love each other. Our partners are married. We're going to be friends till the end. You and me, buddy, let's get to the finale together. So, of course, that meant that we would, you know, text throughout the season. What are you
Starting point is 00:52:55 doing next week? How's it going? Whatever. We saw each other regularly. And then when it was like, oh, next week is team dance. And who becomes the captains? Oh, the two lowest people on the board. Well, Andy, even if he got four tens and won the Monster Thon, was still going to be the lowest person on the board. So I knew one of the captains was Andy. The second person on the lowest on this leaderboard was Jen, Affleck. And then I was only two points above her. And I thought, well, what if Jen beats me in a score this week?
Starting point is 00:53:26 Only two points. What if she wins the Monster Thon? What if she gets four nines? What if she gets four tens? Or what if she goes home? There are two ways I could end up being the one on the bottom of the leaderboard. And I don't want to be thrown into this without a plan. So Dylan and I start texting.
Starting point is 00:53:40 What should who's the perfect team? And I'm like, I think the perfect team would be Whitney, you, me, and Jordan. And he's like, okay, I love that. You know, whatever. He makes a spreadsheet and we're like, okay, if this person's gone. If this person's gone, what do we do here? And then the next morning, he texts me and goes, I've been thinking about it all night. I think you take Whitney first. If Whitney's still available, you take Whitney first. And then I think you need to take Jordan second because there's no way Jordan is one of the last people picked. And you have to gamble with me. as your third pick. I love the strategy here. Oh my gosh, but okay, all right, we do it. So sure enough, it all worked out that way. And when Andy said, Dylan, I love you, but I have to go with my boy, Alan and Andy Lane, Dylan looked at me. And I was like, my mouth dropped and Dylan looked to me and went, oh, my God, it worked.
Starting point is 00:54:28 And I was like, oh, we have our team. So then all week working with them and like seeing those pros, Mark, Danny, Pasha, Ezra, collaborate. All week, it was smooth sailing, best, idea wins, everybody working hard. And then, you know, there were moments that didn't go right all week and moments that were even not going right right before we went out there. And then we just went out there. And we nailed it. And we jumped up like we had just won the Super Bowl and just, they didn't even show it on TV. But if you were in that ballroom, you saw us jumping and grabbing
Starting point is 00:55:00 to, I mean, it was like literally like we had just won the Super Bowl. And I will never, I will never forget that feeling or that moment. That's like, that feeling is probably the same as winning. the mirror ball. You got to experience that feeling of winning. You're exactly right. I feel like I did. This episode of Off the Vine is brought to you by booking.com. Now, I've got to say, if you are looking to grow your vacation rental business, this is the place to be. Booking.com is one of the most downloaded travel apps in the world and for good reason. Since 2010, they have helped over 1.8 billion vacation rental guests find places to stay. That's billion with a be but here's the thing most vacation rental hosts don't even realize that they can list their
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Starting point is 00:56:32 and start your listing today. Get seen. Get booked on booking.com. So if your partner was Pasha and Daniela is with Dylan and you and Dylan are tight, is that the couple you're rooting for? I mean, I'm sure you're rooting for everybody. I pretty much am rooting for everybody. Yes, I love Dylan. Robert and I also became... I think he's going to win.
Starting point is 00:56:59 Incredibly close. Yeah. I love him so much. Yeah, he seems like a little sweetie bob. He really is. And, you know, it's... God, I really really... I can't say enough wonderful things about almost every single person that's still left.
Starting point is 00:57:15 I really, it is such a good group of people. I don't know all of them personally, but like just watching and seeing, I'm like, this is such a good cast. The whole cast was, this year was so iconic. I thought it was incredible. Okay, so I, you know, I have a heart out. I know, got to go. But we have to talk about this because I'm going right now to the dance studio. I have like body chills because I'm like just even walking back in that dance studio, like I could cry because you know that feeling now. And like it was four seasons ago. And I just cannot wait to go back in there. And it's so funny. So I got the call. It's the 20th anniversary. And I start getting texts from other people who have been on the show. And they go, are you going to the 20th anniversary? Did you see this invite? And I was like, no. And I was like,
Starting point is 00:57:56 I didn't get invited. And I'm freaking out. And I was like, okay, I'm just going to like give it a little bit. And then somebody else text me. They're like, do you want to go to the 20th anniversary? Like, are you going? And I was like, what the hell? I did not get an invite. So, I was this close to texting Dina, but I was like, no, Caitlin, you know what? Why wouldn't you get invite? It's on the way. They're having to go through everybody who's ever gone on the show is going to be there. You're on the list.
Starting point is 00:58:18 And then I get a text from Dina and she goes, as you know, it's the 20th anniversary. And I'm like, oh, there's my invite. And I was like, weird. It's not like the, she's texting me. And I'm reading down the text. And then she goes, and we're picking six mirror balls to come back. Mirabal winners to come back and dance. And we would love you to perform.
Starting point is 00:58:33 And I just sent her a picture of my face. I got to show you. Yes, I want to see. You're probably bawling. bawling. I'm like maybe even to a point of hyperventilation. Right, right. I was like, I can't breathe, Dina. And she was like, I'm going to take this as a yes. And I was like, yes. I said a full body yes. Oh my gosh, look at you. Look at you. I was like, and so I was so excited. And then I didn't know what that meant. I just thought, okay. And she was like, six mirror ball winners. I was like, oh, that'd be fun.
Starting point is 00:59:07 like maybe we're going to perform with like a group of us, the six of us will do a little opening number or something. And then more and more time goes on. I just found out like two days ago what you're doing. What I'm doing. And she was like, you're dancing with Andy. This is the best case scenario. So great.
Starting point is 00:59:23 I get to dance with the heart of the show. I don't feel as much pressure because our scores, like our points count for them. I know. And I'm like, I feel so much pressure, but I'm also just so excited. and I went, I'm just honored to even be asked to go back and dance. And you put me with somebody's big toe. I don't care. I am happy to be there.
Starting point is 00:59:44 And I'm just like, now I'm so excited. So I get to go and I have to do the whole full cover of the face because they aren't. And I'm like, this is so fun. I'm so excited for you. I am so excited for you. Everyone is going to be thrilled. Are they introducing you? So you guys are going to do like as if a first meet even.
Starting point is 01:00:01 Yes. Yes. So I go meet of Emma and him today. and then we're going to learn this dance and we're doing the waltz. So it's going to be really fun. I hope you're there. I think I will probably be there. I'm trying to figure it out because we're also going on Sunday night for the holiday show.
Starting point is 01:00:17 Oh, right, the holiday show. Yeah. And then on Wednesday, anyway, it's just a scheduling thing. I'm like, but I really should, I really should go. Like, why would I not go for the 20th anniversary when I was just kicked off the week before? Like, I really should go. So, yeah, I'll be there. I can't even watch on Tuesday nights.
Starting point is 01:00:31 I have to watch everything the next day because it brings up. so much like overwhelming feelings in my heart that I'm like, I can't sleep now. I know. But I'm just so, I'm so glad I got to apologize to your face. Oh my gosh. I can't believe you've been thinking about this and I literally had never thought about it again. Well, that makes me feel better, but I'm also glad I got to say that. I'm so glad we got to podcast. I am just like, I'm such a fan of you. Thank you. And you're just the best. And tell everybody where they can also find your podcast and everything. Yeah. Well, our podcast, Pod Meets World and I'm doing another podcast right now called Danielle With. You can find them anywhere you get podcasts. I love that.
Starting point is 01:01:03 I'm so, thank you so much for having me on your show. I just absolutely adore you. And I will see you on Tuesday. Yeah. Oh my gosh. Launch into sci-fi adventure with the fifth element and laugh through the mayhem in Tropic Thunder. What is going on here? All the thrills.
Starting point is 01:01:42 All for free. Pluto TV. Stream now. Hey, never. I'm Justin Sylvester. And I'm Blakely Thornton. Join us for Yesterday's, the podcast where we break down the most pivotal pop culture moments in history and give them the queer love that they deserve. The things that got us riled up during dial-up.
Starting point is 01:02:01 Those makeouts that should have been breakouts. The drops that were cemented in pop. I'm talking Benefer. Tyra versus Naomi. Tom Cruise jumping on that couch. And so much more. So please rate us, subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get audio-related content. We also take memo.
Starting point is 01:02:19 And cash app. A-C-H? Or credit card number as well. We're malleable. Yeah, we're gay today.

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