Created: 03/27/2009 4:39 PM KSTP.com | Print Story

March 11, 2009 – Go Dmitry!

You may not know this, but I learned last week that one of the professional dancers on Dancing With The Stars is a Minnetonka High graduate.  Dmitry Chaplin enrolled in the high school after his family moved here from Russia in the late 1990’s. 

I sat down with his family and friends as they watched the premier of the hit t.v. show and they say he’s the 27 year old is as Minnesotan as anyone can be.  He loves to fish, camp and spend some summer nights in the Boundry Waters Canoe Area. 

So now that you’re up to speed I’ll fill you in on a little dish.  Dmitry was really bummed out when Jewel had to drop out of the competition because of a knee injury.  His sister Tatiana says that the two of them became extremely close friends over the 4 weeks they were practicing for the show.  Jewel taught Dmitry how to play guitar better and Dmitry taught the singer how to nail down the Cha-Cha-Cha.  The professional dancer apparently made such an impression on Jewel that she said if she comes to DWTS, it would have to be on the condition that Dmitry is her partner again. 

When the topic of  Playboy Bunny, Holly Madison, Dmitry’s new dance partner, came up, not much was said, until after they watched her first dance.  Nearly the entire crowd of 30 family and friends believe she’s the weak link that will take Dmitry out of the competition early on.

His family is quick to point out though that Minnesotans have to vote early and often for Dmitry, even if they don’t feel Holly is doing a great job.  They say this is his dream and he deserves it.  Plus, wouldn’t we all love to see a Minnesotan win!?