IN THE STARS: Betsey Johnson took a break from rehearsing for her debut on “Dancing With the Stars” Thursday afternoon to chat about how the role may finally fulfill her dashed dream of being a Rockette. Six days into training, the designer said that her signature runway walk-off — the cartwheel split — is also her best dance move. Preparing for her prime-time dance gig is tricky with a runway show coming up. “So I get up, go rehearse and then work on my show. That’s just what I need during fashion week,” she said. “But I am the first one to be representing the fashion industry.”
Her partner on the show, Tony Dovolani, will act as her groom when she plays a bride in her wedding-inspired runway show next week. “I want to stay around for a few weeks so I need my fans to vote,” Johnson said.
The designer wasn’t as concerned about her physique “because basically I don’t eat very much” as her physical fitness. “I had tried Pilates and dancing in the gym and I just thought, ‘Ugh, I don’t want to be in shape. Then this comes along just when I was thinking, ‘It is not good for me not to move — I’ve got to do something.’” Johnson said.
Johnson sounded elated that ABC is letting her be and look exactly as she wants to. “When I was out in L.A., I saw all those skin-revealing, diamond, fringy, short….I mean the costume department they have is billions of dollars worth,” she said. “And it’s terrifying because it’s great costumery for 22-year-olds but I don’t even show my arms.”