Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba and Jennifer Hudson recall cheesy American Idol group numbers
Here is a fun fact you may not know. Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba worked as a choreographer for American Idol in the early seasons of the show.
When the dancer, who also toured with Madonna and performed as a “fly girl” alongside Jennifer Lopez on the 90s sketch comedy show, In Living Color, dropped by The Jennifer Hudson Show last week, the two reminisced about working together on season 3 in 2004. That was the season Jennifer Hudson competed and shockingly left the competition in 7th place.
“We go so far back!” exclaimed Carrie Ann. “We go WAY back,” Jennifer added.
“This young beautiful talent was just incredible” Carrie Ann recalled, pointing to a photo of Jennifer performing on the show. “I remember that night, that fateful night!” said Carrie Ann, referring to Jennifer’s shocking boot. “You were in the bottom 3 and it made me crazy because you were so incredible every time you got on that stage. You lit it up.”
Jennifer did not like the group numbers, Carrie Ann remembers her days choreographing on American Idol
“But, you did not like the group numbers, did you,” Carrie Ann teased. Jennifer joked “Look at Youtube. I promise you. I thought I had Michael Jackson moves. And when I look back I was like ‘Did they edit it out?'”
Recreating a typical American Idol group number rehearsal, Carrie Ann and Jennifer got up to demonstrate the classic two step, which was the foundation of all those gloriously cheesy American Idol group numbers (I MISS THEM SO).
“Step touch! We went up high and low, we went low,” Carrie Ann recalled how she put the contestants through the paces. She and Jennifer demonstrate the steps. “IT’S ALWAYS AN ARM” Carrie shouts as the two perform the classic pointy-pose that ended every number. “SPIRIT FINGERS!” Carrie declared, before the two sashayed back to their chairs. It’s glorious!
“Carrie taught me that!” said Jennifer. “We did all those fun step-touches. Oh my goodness. You were so cute back then,” Carrie Ann recalled. “You were so shy in rehearsals. And then look at you, you just exploded the world and let everybody know who you are.”
“Thank you for letting me have that moment,” Jennifer said. “And helping me restore my two step!”
