Don’t quit your day job, Nicole. Fashion designer and reality TV star Nicole Richie tried her hand at synchronized swimming on the newest episode of her AOL Originals reality show, Candidly Nicole — and though her enthusiasm was admirable, her form won’t be winning any medals anytime soon.
“I don’t know anything about synchronized swimming,” the 33-year-old Fashion Star alum admitted before her lesson. “I know that it’s choreography and dancing and swimming…I do think my dancing background will make me very strong. I’m an awesome dancer.”
That may be true, but as Richie discovered during her training with twins Rachel and Rebekah Rife, dancing on land is very different from dancing in water. The mom of two gave it her all, though, suiting up in a plain black one-piece for rehearsal and then changing into a glittery black and green swimsuit for a run-through of the routine.
With help from the Rife twins and their choreographer, Richie learned several synchronized swimming moves, including “the pinwheel,” “the ballet leg,” and what was supposed to be some kind of lift. (She never did quite get it.)
The reality star also took time to grill her teachers for advice, asking how often (and for how long) they practice, what kind of facial expressions they use in performance, how they feel about The Little Mermaid, and whether they’ve ever had a problem with “swimmer’s crotch.”
Watch the video above to see Nicole attempt some water ballet, and to get an explanation for what the Rife twins call “the release.” (It’s probably not what you think!)