Originally Posted by
katt:
“geez, I bloody well love Aliona 
over the moon that she is the 1st pro to lift the glitter ball twice”
It was a very strange Series from Aliona, but all stemmed from Jay and the type of person he was.
Aliona is similar to Jay and I think of all the pros, she would understand him best.
To then protect, nurture and lead him through the Series - gradually reducing that as and when she should, was a new way of working with a celeb, and one I think only Aliona could do so well.
Plus she is the best hope he had of reaching his potential. I think if Jay could have taken being pushed harder, IMO he could have performed the dances a little bit better technically, but they would have lost other things and those things are more important.
Jay enjoyed it and when you enjoy things, you work hard, and the chemistry between them was a huge factor in their popularity.
Aliona has worked very well with less talented pros and for anyone who takes the time to check that thoroughly instead of accepting other's opinions the evidence is there.
Only with those with potential though, can you see the full range of a pro's abilities and the higher the potential, the higher the test of their ability. Jay had huge potential but it was all within Aliona's abilities to teach him (with a bit of help on the AT and Charleston).
One legacy is a set of WOW dances featuring Aliona. Aliona dances beautifully and looks stunning in the AT, but there are many more which are a joy to watch her dance in.
Plus they both have a new circle of friends.
And, more people appreciate what Aliona is really like now.

She has done so much good work over the years without it being recognised, so I'm very happy that recognition is increasing.