Monty Betham: Dance to DWTS Finals +Photos

This year’s Dancing with the Stars champion Temepara George may have won on the dance floor and the wheel, but Monty Betham has come out several column inches ahead of his rival in the media and won himself a new following of fans – despite the bright pink lycra and PVC pants.

Best known as a rugby league player and boxer, Monty was on last year’s Celebrity Treasure Island reality television contest, where he was beaten by ultimate winner Hayley Holt. Monty continues to coach boxing, and also has plans for a new business and a book to be launched later this year.

Monty’s dancing and personality has flourished over the eight weeks of DWTS, and he’s shown a lot of sass and the drive to succeed. He believed in himself, even when wife Jaymie feared he would be eliminated in the first few weeks!

Check out his path to the finals, plus excerpts from some of his media interviews


Week 1: Cha Cha (Score 23)



Week 2 : Quickstep (Score 23)



Week 3 : Jive (Score 26)



Week 4 : Foxtrot (Score 29)



Week 5 : Samba (Score 30) & Viennese Waltz (Score 25)





Week 6 : Waltz (Score 29) & Rhumba (Score 27)




Week 7 : Paso Doble (Score 35) & Tango (Score 29)





Week 8 : Quickstep (33), Paso Doble (38) & Freestyle (37)








Media Interviews

Monty says he'll be gutted if he's dumped
Sunday News March 2, 2008

Monty talks doesn’t want to be the first celebrity to be given his marching orders and swaps nappy stories with dance partner Nerida Jantti. As you do.


Monty’s Family Emergency
Woman’s Day March 10, 2008

Two pages with photos of Monty, wife Jaymie and son Riley (now 15 months old), talking about how Riley broke his arm after the little dare devil climbed out of his cot and fell.

In the parenting quote of the week, Monty, who clearly subscribes to the philosophy of no pain no gain says:

You don’t want your kids to go through any pain, but unfortunately in life they’re going to have to. Facing a little adversity early on might make him strong.

Or it might give him arthritis in old age. The rest of the article talks about the couple, their hopes for their son, and how Monty likes to boogie when they go out.


Monty has Pecs Appeal
Sunday News April 6, 2008

A photo of a topless Monty jogging with heavyweight boxer Shane Cameron talks about how “mean and lean” Monty is looking. Dance partner Nerida Jantti talks about all the hard work he’s put in and how well he’s handling the judges.


The Full Monty
Woman’s Day April 14, 2008

Settle down Candy Lane, Woman’s Day were only fooling with you. Muscles shows his pecs and the top of his Mossimo undies peeking out over his black jeans, in an article that definitely did not show the “full monty”. Described as “toned, taut and with a rippling six-pack” the article suggests Kiwi women have been swooning and drooling. But Monty says he’s no pin up, and his wife is cuts him down to size labelling him short with a big butt. Women everywhere are going to be slapping Jaymie in the face for those little gems. Hope she doesn’t mean he’s short in the shorts, if you know what I mean, as that would really make a man feel insecure.

He also admits to being a quasi metrosexual and uses facial cleanser and cream. There goes the tough guy image...

Expect to see more of this likeable sporting man on the television and in a bookstore near you. There are also rumours he may play for the Samoan Rugby League team.



Photos: TVNZ

Temepara George wins Dancing With The Stars 2008

There were lots of surprises in tonight’s final of Dancing with the Stars with Temepara George saying it was a-ma-zing to win. Gorgeous Teme looked tearful in her colour-coordinated dress as she grasped the glittering ball and struggled to find words.

Stefano Olivieri wasn’t lost for words for a single moment, and made the point that he is the first professional to win the trophy back to back. Presumably he means in New Zealand because Cheryl Burke won seasons two and three of the United States version, and Julianne Hough won seasons four and five.

Tonight the past contestants from this season and past seasons were on-stage including Brendon The Body Pongia. Sorry Monty, you might have the pecs but Brendon oozes sex appeal. The highlight of the evening has to be Candy Lane dancing with “the boys”. Highly entertaining and original.

Other highlights

• Turns out Temepara George is sexy enough to turn a gay man straight


• Candy Lane reveals herself as a lady of the night, and definitely not of the day after poor Candy’s wrinkled neck was shown in the makeup room. Oops. Guess botox doesn’t make it to the neck


• Lots of sexy costumes, plus Tina Cross in a lampshade


• Rob Guest tried to eat the microphone and wins the don’t get caught when the wind changes award for anguished facial expressions


• The ego finally landed with Stefano changing the words of their final song to say “I am Stefano’s creation”. Someone hand Miss Prozac a barf bag.


• Tina Cross embarrassed the heck out of Jason when she outclassed him in a singing duet; there should be no tomorrow for Jase and his microphone.

Candy Lane in a Brothel

Candy Lane and the “boys” danced in a brothel. Miss Prozac is trying hard not to read too much into this intriguing symbolism.

Brendan Cole danced while Candy hugely overacted and wore her knickers over black stockings and stilettos. Aaron Gilmore, Brian Jones, Jonny Williams and Brendon Pongia joined in the action and shared Candy around. Even a slimmed down showed a small sign of hip movement while Candy gryated around him. And let’s face it, no one does the chest thrust quite like our Rodney.

Then Brendan (Cole this time) muscles back in for a tango with Candy who is trying desperately to look like a 15 year old. But don’t worry Brendan got her for her sins and slaughtered her.



Round 1 – New choreography of a dance

Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Quickstep

The video previews show a serious Monty Betham counting the beat in last week’s Tango plus his rehearsals with miss pixie ears Nerida Jantti. Contrary to Miss Prozac’s fears that the final would be a whitewash, Monty stepped up to the plate and gave lively and entertaining performances.

The first few seconds of the quickstep looked uncomfortable but once in hold, Monty looked more confident however one has to wonder what the judges were drinking. The quickstep lacked lightness; Monty galloped across the floor instead of springing. But the judges all loved it.

Brendan was the only judge to point out the awkward beginning but thought it was bang on once they got into it. Alison blinded us with her mirrored jacket and then gabbled on about how proud Monty and his wife should be. Craig accused Muscles of being a sly underdog who was showing far too much improvement. Paul Mercurio agreed and said it was a lot better.

Score: 33


Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Foxtrot

TVNZ flew partner Sione to New Zealand, presumably to protect Teme from the amorous Stefano Olivieri. Lots of references to their close friendship and a very stoic Sione seated in the front row. He may be wanting to tackle Smirky Stefano after the show.

Temepara George looked delicious in pink and did an elegant and graceful foxtrot. Not technically perfect but a huge improvement on earlier weeks and lovely to watch.

Craig said she put the fox in foxtrot and had magnificent musicality. Paul said it was elegant and seamless. Wonderful, a pleasure to watch. Brendan said she had star quality, smooth, sophisticated and absolutely gorgeous. Miss Prozac was too blinded by Alison’s jacket to notice what she said.



Round 2 – Favourite Dance

Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Paso Doble

Once again wearing the black bolero jacket (has no one told TVNZ bolero jackets on sloping shoulders are a no no?) while Nerida dazzled in orange. Still love the choreography of this paso but somehow it didn’t live up to the excitement of last week’s action. The caping action was superb, characterisation was good and the intensity was there too. Monty swung Nerida around by her hand and foot and into the hearts of the judges. However, Miss Prozac is far more interested in knowing when Nerida will be announcing her pregnancy.

Paul said you lived the dance. Fantastic. Brendan thought it was a step up, energy and shaping magnificent. Alison says if she was the bull she’d run the other way. The only place Alison would be running is to the bedroom to turn back the sheets. Craig thought it was fabulous and really, really brilliant.

Score: 38


Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Samba

Wearing pink again, Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri wriggled and shimmied to the Samba party dance. There were a couple of moments when the synchronisation wasn’t there and it wasn’t as good as their performance the last time they did it. The Samba ended in the upside down fandango Stefano loves so much that he put it in both Suzanne Paul and Teme’s routines.

Jason talks once again about the love and friendship between the two. Quelle surprise they’re going to be friends for life.

Alison felt like she went to Brazil and made some corny joke about him being a travel agent. Craig said it was almost perfect, amazing bounce action, just a little error coming around the corner.

Paul said you really have grown as an artist and a performer. ‘Triffic’. Well done. Brendan felt some of the transitional movements were lacking, and not your best performance but both fantastic together. Hooray, some common sense.

Hmmm and then Stefano said that Sione was the luckiest man on earth and that if Teme wasn’t taken he’d be putting his hand up for her. Huh? Guess Craig Revel-Horwood is right when he says she’s sexy enough to turn a gay man straight.

Score: 36



Round 3 Freestyle

Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Samba variations

Nerida Jantti mounts Muscles and piggy backs onto stage with her arms out like a crucifix and wearing a skimpy tasselled costume. It was no match for Miriama Smith’s sizzling Samba costume but was still pretty hot. They looked like they were having fun, but unfortunately we had already seen two superior samba dances this evening, and the music was heh heh heh heh awful. Hang on, was that it? It’s over already. Where was the variation? The light and shade? Even Monty admits he didn’t do it justice.

Jason Gunn congratulates Monty on his muscles and his lack of dress and pixie Nerida loyally says Muscles did well.

Brendan says Monty is a legend and loved Nerida. Paul loved the opening image, fast and furious movements, you pushed it right to the end. Craig didn’t think it was possible to base an entire routine around one step – the shimmy – and said he was loving it daaaaarling. Alison loved the music and made more smutty remarks about there being nothing on Monty that is going to rust.

Score: 37


Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri

The smirkster has made a big secret of this dance refusing to reveal the style of dance for the piece de resistance, which means it better be good, or the voting public will be texting ‘MONTY’.

Are you kidding? The opening lyrics to the song are

‘I am what I am, I am Stefano’s special creation.’

How nice to have your own Barbie doll to play with, but people are already being turned off by Stefano’s arrogance.

Teme came onto stage in a black dress making it obvious she’s going to do a strip tease. Sure enough the black and silver number get pulled off to reveal – quelle surprise – more tassels. The wardrobe department must have a special running on tassels.

Then they cha cha and boogie before Teme cartwheels onto Stefano’s shoulder. A much better routine than Monty’s samba.

Craig loved the fact that they were dancing to his anthem. (Craig sang this number on a UK reality show). He said the dance was A-ma-zing. Gorgeous. Alison gave a pep talk about dancing through her heart and leaving footprints. Brendan said both of you have thrilled us. Copying Craig he said, one word, sen-sa-tion-al. Paul said it was a great number to finish the evening with. Fantastic.

Score: 39


Leaderboard

1. Temepara 37 + 36 + 39 = 112
2. Monty 33 + 38 + 37 = 108

Monty’s only hope rests now with the public vote.


Past contestants

The eliminated couples returned to the dance floor to reprise their favourite dances. Mannequin Geeling Ng did the rhumba while the follicle challenged Brian Jones brought reinforcements which wriggled across his lip and chin. Even he looked bored.

H-Bomb Hayley Holt and Peter Urlich - to list them in order of their star power - waltzed and Mr Haughty Martin Devlin and Lauren de Boeck tangoed but this time she didn’t lay down across Shane Cortese.



In the second segment of eliminated celebs, Tina Cross in her lampshade and Aaron Gilmore did the Cha Cha. It was good but Miss Prozac was hoping to see their stunning Paso Doble again. Cory Hutchings unfortunately did decide to reprise his robot moves with Rebecca Nicholson in the Paso. Lucky he looks so young and sexy, but the Paso wasn’t his best dance. Miriama Smith and her tassels did the samba. Wow! Very sexy. Jonny Williams and Mirama danced beautifully. Tonight their Samba was better than Teme and Stefano’s.


All singing, all dancing finale

While we were waiting for voters to fill the coffers at the telcos, Peter Urlich sang some numbers from his latest album, Tina sang, and Jason made some noises that vaguely resembled a tune. Somehow it’s not the same seeing Jason singing without a pile of six year olds dancing around him.

The eliminated contestants and the indefatigable Candy Lane were dancing fools as everyone jived while Jason banged out a tune. Geeling and her wig got into it too. And then we were told the voting lines were closed.



Then with a drum roll and a very long pause… Tempara was crowned the winner of Dancing with the Stars 2008! Congrats Teme. Sione, lasso your woman and head on back to Townsville with her. She’s not safe while Stefano is around…


Photos: TVNZ

Temepara Wins Wheel of Fortune

Last night Temepara George took first blood in the Dancing with the Stars challenge beating Monty Betham and judge Brendan Cole on Wheel of Fortune.

It took a bit of getting used to the new-look noisy Wheel with the extra clickers and new hosts Jason Gunn and Sonia Gray. Game show hosts are usually smooth, suave and slightly cheesy in their delivery. Phillip Leishman fit the bill. Jase doesn’t, but no doubt he will “make it his own” as the American Idol judges are wont to say.

The three contestants struggled to solve the puzzles. While people around the country were yelling 'Ballgowns and Tuxedos' at their television sets the contestants continued to look stumped. A new element to the show allows viewers to text their answers (at a cost of 99 cents) to win prizes, so if you’re quick with word puzzles, and speedy on the text pad you could get lucky!



The real news from last night’s Wheel of Fortune was the obvious camaraderie between Teme and Muscles Betham. Clearly they had been told to play up the battle and be competitive, but any rivalry sounded faked as they whispered to each other and Muscles gave Teme a noogie.

According to a salacious headline on the cover of the latest NZ Woman’s Weekly the pair have a ‘secret past’. What could that be? Are they both members of the Church of Scientology? Do they brew potions in a cauldron in their backyards? They’ve had a sex change? They were swapped at birth? Oh, the mystery. And the disappointment. The great secret is that Teme’s partner Sione introduced her to Monty a few years back and they’ve renewed the friendship. There was obvious affection between them and it looks like they’re very good friends.

Brendan was excluded from a lot of the banter, but he didn’t seem to mind. He was looking very English and surprisingly debonair in his pinstriped suit. Mr Metrosexual has done something to his hair and it suits him. However, Brendan struggled to gather his thoughts and express himself, leading one to wonder if his comments on Dancing with the Stars are scripted earlier in the day during rehearsals.

Brendan admits that his brain only works for about one hour a day. This clearly wasn’t his hour, but he was very gracious in defeat and genuinely upset when he thought he’d failed to win anything for his charity. Luckily the sponsors chipped in and gave $1,000 to each of Monty and Brendan’s charities, so everyone went home happy.


Photos: TVNZ

Temepara and Monty Spin the Wheel

Tonight, Dancing with the Stars finalists Temepara George and Monty Betham spin the wheel on the new season of Wheel of Fortune for their favourite charity.

The new-look Wheel of Fortune is hosted by Jason Gunn and Sonia Gray. Watch it tonight on TV One at 7:00pm.


Wheel of Fortune is looking for contestants and for audience members to watch a live taping of the show.


Photos: TVNZ

DWTS Semi-Final Photos

Last night Miriama Smith was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars, leaving Temepara George and Monty Betham to contest the final next week.

Click here for the full episode recap.

Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Paso Doble



Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Waltz



Miriama Smith and Jonny Williams Jive


Miriama Smith and Jonny Williams Foxtrot



Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Paso Doble



Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Tango

Photos: TVNZ

See Monty and Nerida Dance Live

Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti from Dancing with the Stars will be performing live in Auckland this weekend.

They are part of the line up for Little Day Out, which includes Peter Urlich and Hayley Holt performing their waltz, Jordan Luck, The Darlings, and Don McGlashan.

The entertainment is part of Little Day Out - a fundraising venture for Westmere school - this weekend, Saturday 5th April 2008, noon to 6:00pm.

Tickets cost $20 for adults if purchased in advance, $10 for 13-19 year olds and is free to youths 12 years and younger.


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Photos: TVNZ

Monty on Celebrity Joker Poker Final

Tonight is the final of this season of Celebrity Joker Poker, hosted by passionate poker player Brooke Howard-Smith and New Zealand poker pro Lee Nelson.

The winners of each of the previous five shows go head to head in a no holds barred, high stakes game of no limit Texas hold'em poker with the winnings going to the celeb's charity of choice.

Tonight the celebs battling it out for the championship are:

• Angus MacDonald
• Daniel Braid
• Craig Parker
• Raybon Kan
• Monty Betham

You can watch it tonight at 10:30pm on TV3. The show is repeated Wednesday 8:30pm, 2 April 2008 on C4 TV.



Photos: TV3

Monty Betham Signed League Card

A signed Monty Betham Rugby League card, from the days when he had hair, is for sale on Trade Me.

The auction closes Friday 14th March at 5:00pm.


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Nerida on Shane and Monty

Curvy Nerida Jantti on Shane & Monty

If you’re wondering about the heading, Miss Prozac isn’t talking about Nerida Jantti’s pregnancy curves or her luscious body. Miss Prozac is talking about Nerida’s spine which curves in an “unnatural S-shape between the neck and tail bone”.

The condition is known as Scoliosis and Nerida tells the New Idea that it causes back pain as well as a shooting sensation in her lungs. Given the choice between dancing to improve her mobility and metal rods in her spine – that’s a choice? – Nerida opted to keep dancing and have regular osteopathic manipulation.

One interesting symptom of Scoliosis is that one side of the back is higher than the other. Miss Prozac had often noticed that, but assumed that Nerida just had a cute way of standing.

Nerida, now 31, started dancing in Australia when she was four years old. She has mastered ballet, jazz and even belly dancing, and has competed internationally in Ballroom and Latin Dancing, mainly with ex husband Simon Lister.

Nerida tutored Shane Cortese in series one (2005), and said in previous interviews that

He was just as awkward as the next Kiwi bloke!

But his ability to work hard – and under pressure – even though he suffered from nerves was amazing.

It sounds like there’s hope for even the most uncoordinated bloke out there – with the possible exception of Rodney Hide.

Nerida and Shane insist that the on-screen chemistry during the show was just an act, and that they didn't get together romantically until after they split with their respective partners

The handsome blonde blue-eyed actor split with partner Claire Stanley in July 2005 and began a brief relationship with Zoe Lucker (Footballer’s Wives) with whom he co-starred in the stage comedy “Along Came Love.

Nerida Lister, best known for her ballroom dancing and choreography, was married to fellow dancer Simon Lister for three years . However in October 2005 they separated when she realised that she was in love with Cortese. Nervously she invited the actor to Australia for Christmas “when I saw him at the airport, I just knew. I think we both knew instantly”. Cortese confirms “I love Nerida. When I see her I get butterflies and when we’re apart I cannot wait to see her again”.

Pretty Nerida has done a spot of modelling, showcasing her expanding belly in a series of maternity fashion shots, as well as working as a dancer for the Candy Lane Dancers, a choreographer, a dance teacher and trainer. According to her agent she is available to dance with Shane Cortese at functions, which is odd as Nerida says:

Shane will head to Wellington each week [to watch DWTS]

Err yes. Miss Prozac couldn’t help but notice him and his splayed legs commandeering the front row on Tuesday night.

He is encouraging and positive, although he doesn’t want to dance again

Someone better tell his agent.


Of partner Monty Betham, Nerida says

He has really fast feet. The thing we can struggle with is that he’s a boxer and his chin tends to go down.

Monty’s not naturally elegant, but anything I throw at him, he is picking it up. He is a perfectionist just like me.

The fast feet could come in handy. This week Monty did the Cha Cha Cha and next week he tackles the Quickstep, so it sounds like he's half way there.

The pair are training three to five hours a day, while partner Shane Cortese takes over parenting duties of their son Kees Armas Cortese.


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Photos: TVNZ
Sources: Woman's Day 3 July 2006, New Idea 1 March 2008, New Idea 7 April 2007

Monty Betham's Partnership with Nerida

TVNZ has interviewed Monty Betham about his new challenge on Dancing With The Stars. Scarily his dancing idols are Justin and Michael. We hope he means Michael Jackson and not dancing rodent, Mayor Michael. Actually, we'd be relieved if he's modelling himself on anyone other than Mayor Mike in lycra.

TVNZ: When was the last time you stepped onto a dance-floor?
Monty: After a couple of beverages in a nightclub.

TVNZ: What talents can you bring to the competition?
Monty: A bit of my rhythm - whether I can add in the poise and grace needed I'm not so sure of.

Asked about his professional dance partner Nerida Jantti, now taking her maiden name after splitting with hubby Simon Lister, Monty says:

I think Nerida and I are well suited - both driven to do well and realise what sacrifices are needed, and willing to make it happen.

Let's hope Nerida remembers to return this year's dance partner back to the loving arms of his wife.

Monty's charity is Plunket.



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Photos: TVNZ
Source

Confirmed Dancing With The Stars 2008 Line Up

The final four dancers in the 2008 series of Dancing With The Stars returning in February to TVNZ have been confirmed.

Former Silver Fern Temepara George, actor and restaurateur Geeling Ng, radio DJ and musician Peter Urlich, and World Surf Ironman champion Cory Hutchings, will team up with professional dancers for this year's series.

The final four will join boxer Monty Betham, actor Miriama Smith, radio and TV presenter Martin Devlin, and performer Tina Cross, who were confirmed in December.

While I’m delighted that this year’s selection means that we no longer have to put up with politicians clumping their way around the dance floor, I am disappointed at the strong sports bias in the selection. I think Cory Hutchings will be magnificent. He is always extremely cheeky and entertaining when he appears on Game of Two Halves and he makes great eye candy, but the lack of a good cross selection of celebs concerns me.

In the final tally the selection is limited to:

• Four sporting personalities (Temepara George, Monty Betham and Cory Hutchings plus a sports DJ and Game of Two Halves panellist Martin Devlin),
• Two singers/musos (Peter Urlich and Tina Cross), a third celeb that appeared in a singer’s video (Geeling Ng appeared in David Bowie's China Girl),
• And the inevitable ex Shortland Street actress (Miriama Smith).

Yawn.

Update Professional Dancers:
We also have the exclusive list of the professional dancers for the 2008 series of Dancing With The Stars.

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Best & Worst of DWTS 2007

Photos: TVNZ

Dancing With The Stars 2008 Line Up

The worst kept secret in TV has been confirmed... Monty Betham will form part of the line up for TVNZ's 2008 series of Dancing With The Stars.

Also confirmed are actress Miriama Smith (Mercy Peak), who has been romantically partnered with previous contestants Brendon Pongia and Frank Bunce, Game of Two Halves lad and radio host Martin Devlin plus singer Tina Cross.

The final four celebrities will be confirmed early in the new year. Dancing with the Stars is a BBC format based on popular show Strictly Come Dancing.

Other stars rumoured to be taking part are Ironman and television presenter Cory Hutchings, ex Gloss star Geeling Ng (most famous for being David Bowie's China Girl and recently featured on Paul Holmes' show Whatever Happened To...?), ex Shortland Street actor Karl Burnett, Reality TV and gossip regular Aja Rock, netballer Temepara George and Lotto presenter Hilary Timmins. The show is currently scheduled to go to air in February 2008.

The judges will be confirmed in early 2008, but we understand Jason Gunn and Candy Lane have the hosting roles stitched up. Yummy Mummy Nerida Lister who is believed to have given birth to the world's first Dancing with the Stars baby will also be back.

The final confirmed contestants are listed here.

The list of professional dancers rumoured to be in DWTS 2008 are here.



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Photos: TVNZ