Dancing With the Stars
Marissa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani
Eliminated May 13

Everyone is so sad to see you go, but is dancing in your future now?
Marissa: Let me tell you, I have already made Tony promise that after we left, he would teach me another dance because I feel like I want to do one more. I can't wait to get into dance class. The one-on-one is so incredibly intense that I want to be in a class where I can see other people. It's more fun to hang out in the back until you feel more confident to go up front. This is like hanging at the back of the class and then going on TV in front of 24 million people. It was crazy. And he has schools everywhere.
Tony: I had such a blast with her and that was all I focused on. I didn't care about what the judges said, I just thought every week about teaching her a new dance and I will continue to explore that. This lady is wonderful.
Marissa: We wanted to do our freestyle, but that is okay because we are two young chickadees here so we will get to do the freestyle somewhere at some point. We may do it on the finale anyway — forget the paso doble. Can we do that?
Tony: No... YES! [laughs]
Marissa: I am glad it's the paso because that is one I might remember.

What's the worst thing about leaving the show for you?
Marissa: Nothing, honestly, I really am good. I have had so much fun and it's not like I am going home and being shot, or like we are at the Colosseum [in Rome], where you have to live or die. But you wake up the next day and Tony and I will be friends forever. It's been a whirlwind experience and I have zero regrets. — it's all good and has all been fun. But I am not leaving. I already told the wardrobe people that I'll be upstairs on Monday BeDazzling the other people's costumes, so I am not leaving. But there are so many big things in life and this is one thing. It's not cancer or children or hearing — it's a fun variety show and we had a blast, but there are bigger things in life and I made great friends.
Tony: What is BeDazzling?
Marissa: It's putting the rhinestones on costumes.

So how are your BeDazzling skills?
Marissa: Oh, I practiced and practiced. Even more than in the beginning. I hadn't BeDazzled in a very long time, and there are many more people who BeDazzle better than I do. I watched the professionals BeDazzle. I wish I could keep these dresses, as I don't know who else will ever wear them. Maybe they will cut up my dresses and make two more for other girls.
Tony: Oh, well there are some things my wife just won't let me do — and that is one of them.
Marissa: Oh? So Tony is too much of a man to BeDazzle — it's all up to me, then.

How did you surprise yourself doing this show?
Marissa: We had such a rocky start. I messed up and was overwhelmed, and the things I thought I would excel in, I didn't. I felt like we hit our stride and felt confident that I could do this, and had fun.
Tony: I knew she had it her because when we started, this was the attitude she had.
Marissa: And the judges beat it out of me.
Tony: But after her third week, she came in and was back to being Marissa again.
Marissa: People told me to tone it down, but I can't do that. I am me. I can't believe what we accomplished.

What is next for you both?
Marissa: We have a lot of press to do for the next few days in New York and I attend a luncheon for Harvey Fierstein. Then It's home, lay in bed, and then paint my nursery and get ready for the finale. Honestly, I have been so busy I have not had time to do anything and I am having a baby in less than two months!
Tony: I'm going home to New York and get my nursery ready for the twins — I have so much to do. They are due in August.
Marissa:We are both totally panicking about the babies because we have been spending the last three months dancing, thinking we'd get kicked off soon, and deal with it then. I never expected it to be three months.
Tony: There is so much to do and so little time to do it in — I just realized that.
Marissa: Every week I thought, "Oh, I can paint this week," and then we'd get voted through. But I made it further than anyone ever thought. Before this, it was "Marissa who?" Now, I have a talk show, I'm a dancer and about to be a mom — who knew? I really feel we achieved so much and thank the fans for all their support.