J.R. Martinez Gets Standing Ovation on DWTS for Emotional War Tribute
Credit: Allen Berezovsky/FilmMagic
Monday was an emotional night on Dancing with the Stars -- with celeb contestants basing their routines on the most meaningful year of their lives.
Chaz Bono danced to his late father Sonny Bono's own "Son of a Gun," Chynna Phillips dazzled to the strains of her deeply personal Wilson Philips classic "Hold On," Ricki Lake recalled the past year (her house burned down, she became engaged again) and David Arquette looked back on the past year (his separation from Courteney Cox, his mental breakdown and rehab stay) in a moving tribute to daughter Coco.
But it was J.R. Martinez who really brought the house down. The Iraqi war veteran turned soap star, 33, looked back on the year he was seriously injured -- and disfigured -- while serving in Iraq.
Now 33, Martinez admitted he "just froze" when he saw his new face for the first time. "My life was turned completely upside down...[Sometimes I wondered] if my life would have been been better off if I had not survived...When the lights where off, I just cried."
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It was a pep talk from his mom that changed everything, he said. "She told me..whoever was gonna be in my life was gonna be in my life because of who I am as a person, now what I looked like," he explained. "That moment, I chose to fight and try to be positive every single moment on."
His dance with partner Karina Smirnoff -- the war-inspired Tim McGraw ballad, "If You're Reading This" -- was "a tribute to the men and women that didn't make it home," Martinez explained.
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After the emotional, masterful routine, the pair received a standing ovation, lots of tears, and a score of 26 out of 30 points.
"That was one of the most profound dances that we have ever seen," judge Carrie Ann Inaba raved.
Praised Len Goodman: "You are an inspiration to us all."
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11It was a beautiful tribute and I was crying too!
i know i got teary eye'd!
Last night, JR Martinez showed us all what a real hero is! I am proud to be a veteran alongside him.
I didn't see it last night, but I would have been crying so hard I couldn't stop. This man defines the word "hero." Next time I whine about something, I hope I'll think of him.
JR' dance was definately emotional for me....haven't lost any close loved ones but family who have served and is serving our country. Makes me sick for all the violence here because their Freedom was earned by our Veterns who served and is still serving & God who we seem to forget!
JR' dance was definately emotional for me....haven't lost any close loved ones but family who have served and is serving our country. Makes me sick for all the violence here because their Freedom was earned by our Veterns who served and is still serving & God who we seem to forget!
Bravo to him! :)
I don't watch DWTS, but I happened to catch this wonderful hero's inspiring dance last night. He's an actor I've seen before, and his story always touches me. His dance moved me to tears it was so emotional.
I hardly watch this show, but was so glad I did last night. This dance and all that was said was extremely touching and beautiful. Very emotional. The dancers did so well, Ricky Lakes dance was also very good.
in a good way, his performance made me cry.
There is no contest there.....J.R. & Karnia Smirnoff......you could tell J.R.'s emotions were RAW......and that Karina was driven to tears in her admiration of J.R. Very, very touching.