I - like others, wouldn't have gone to see the tour if Aliona wasn't on it, so I don't think Brendan invited her just to please her fans. She was a very good replacement.

Fauve was arranged to be on the 2014 Tour and its logical to have used her photos for the tour promotions and merchandise and a last minute injury was just unfortunate.

Aliona had no connection with the 2015 tour, so why not use a picture of Brendan and Fauve to promote it? That would have been the logical and sensible thing to do - there are plenty of them available to him. He must have had his own reasons for choosing a picture of Aliona and choosing one where her face is turned away may have been how he hoped to get away with it.

I think I explained the reasons why I think Brendan or his promotional team used the photo - I think it was a mistake done in innocence - it seems it was a mistake that cost him dearly - hence his bitterness towards Aliona. It's fair enough that you don't agree me - I don't expect you to. Aliona protected her 'commercial rights' but I think she's done so at a cost in that I think she's gained more of a reputation for being a bit 'difficult' and bear in mind this just adds to all the other stories about her whether they're true or not - but again I don't expect you to agree with me. I think I've made it clear that I don't think Brendan is whiter than white - but I don't think it's a good idea to rub your colleagues up the wrong way in the first place, especially over one picture where you can't even see the face.

Yes, we will have to agree to disagree.

Settling out of court and never mentioning the issue doesn't sound to me like someone who is being difficult. Just someone standing up for their rights.

Usually there are stories of women being 'difficult' when all they're doing is standing up for themselves and knowing their rights. Brendon was absolutely in the wrong in this case, and him throwing around petty comments about Aliona make him seem like a difficult person, not her. And the only reason he is throwing around these comments is this picture issue, where he was in the wrong.

I think in life it's importnat to choose your battles wisely..... but an issue over one picture where you can't even see the face is not an important issue worth severing relations with someone over imo.

Brendan has to promote his 2015 Tour, starring him and Fauve - so it is logical and sensible to use a photo of himself and Fauve. It would fit the purpose perfectly and he has many excellent photos of himself and Fauve which are perfect for the promotion. People get to see the two stars of the show on all the promotions and merchandise. So the ideal solution is easily available to him. The last time he was in the same situation, that is exactly what he did.

Aliona has no connection to the 2015 Tour, yet Brendan decides to use a photo of him and Aliona, and chooses one where her face is turned away.
Brendan must have some reason for choosing to use that photo of Aliona.

That’s where the relationship was when Aliona had to make the decision.

I'm sure most of the pictures used to promote the 2015 tour would have been ones with Brendan and Fauve. I think you're reading too much into the choice of one photo. I don't think there was anything sinister or trying to pull a fast one over Aliona about the choice - just a simple mistake in that they probably just thought it was a good picture - but as you said we're never going to agree on this.

And bringing this back to the thread topic - I think we can safely assume that the producers won't be pairing Aliona with Brendan this series....or will they? Wouldn't it be hilarious if the producers decided to put them together? Almost as funny as the idea of Kevin with Ola

I guess it was important to Aliona tho so

anyway back on topic

They were both hired when the producer knew what had happened, so I guess she will explain that they are employed to do a job and will be expected to do it. Aliona has faced something similar before, so she will get on with doing her job.
I usually find men get over situations more so than women and move on. Maybe after having his huff, Brendan will get on with doing his job too?

Strangely enough, I think they did dance quite well together when paired before, so I think they may be chosen to do so again.

I think Kevin and Ola would probably get on with dancing together too. I seem to recall Karen hugging Ola when Ola was eliminated last year.

Yes back in their happy days, I actually did like the pairing of Aliona and Brendan - I thought they had good chemistry together but I don't think they'll be paired together this series - I think I'd like to see her with Tristan this series - Tristan seems to have that easy going Irish charm and she really seemed to get on with him last series.

In theory Kevin and Ola would be a good paring - height and personality wise it could have been a good match, but I can't see it happening because of all the nonsense about 'bullying' and James' stirring.

I think Karen would benefit from dancing with someone taller than Kevin

Or Brendan could act like an adult, realise he made a mistake, paid for it and let it go. He just seems petty with his Q&A answers.

I would like to see Ola and Kevin dance together, and Karen/Aljaz.

I think despite the height issue they're ok together. Ideally Karen would be better with Aljaz or one of the new pros but I think she has good chemistry with Kevin which makes up for any height issues.

Kevin is probably best suited to Janette out of all the pros but I think she works well with Aljaz in the Latin routines were the height difference doesn't matter so much.


Clearly he has realised a mistake was made and has paid for it as they reached a settlement, but he's chosen not to let it go - yes he is out of order publically harbouring resentment over it, but I guess someone threatening to sue you, especially someone you thought you had a good working realtionship with, is never going to sit well with a lot of people.

yes! Karen and Aljaz and Kevin and Janette would work better, for me, height wise (I have a thing about heights ) but the chemistry Karen and Kevin has is undeniable

With Giovanni being a Latin guy and friends with Joanne, I could see him and Karen dancing together. I haven't noticed the chemistry when Kevin and Karen dance, though they dance together OK.

Kevin and Kristina might work?

With them not having fixed pro pairings, it isn't really an issue - they can select the dancers they think would suit certain choreography and they can mostly avoid conflicts, but if they think dancers dancing together is best for the show, they will be expected to get on with it.

Brendan and Aliona had a good working relationship before the 2014 tour and I didn't notice any change during the tour time, but It potentially is a very high stress tour with a lot of venues in a short time, and its a different situation boss/employee, so I wouldn't be surprised if their relationship wasn't so good after the tour.

I think this clip best illustrates Kevin and Karen's chemistry because it's quite an emotional song they're danving too - it is from Burn the Floor which I think you said your not fan of, but I think it's nice clip, also with Janette and Aljaz but with different partners

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IaVstYBvF3A

I think Kristina could work with Pasha - that is if they're still friends, and he doesn't hold anything against her for for talking to the tabloids about his relationship with Rachel in order to deflect from her shenanigans with Ben I think they trained under the same teachers in Siberia, so I think they'd have quite a bit in common - I think his more lyrical style could also perhaps tone down her raunchiness as well - she's a similar height and build to his pro partner Anya who Kristina is also friends with. For some reason I just don't think Pasha and Ola worked - it should have done but it didn't - so maybe Ola with one of the new guys.

And now Iveta is no longer there which lucky lady is going to have the pleasure of dancing with Anton?

Thanks for the video. It reminded me that it is Kevin I can't see chemistry from. It may just be me that can't.

This was a recent tweet so I think we'll see lots of mixing and matching:

Kristina Rihanoff @KRihanoff
we all dancing with different pros. It's going to change every dance xxx

Oh - and Joanne tweeted Brendan about him having to lift her all yesterday (Wednesday) as they practiced the Lindy Hop (to be performed at Blackpool), so I guess we know that one pairing for that one dance.

Aliona has partnered Tristan, Anton and Aljaz so far

seems like its very mix n match

And Aliona listed Tristan third so maybe he was her partner for Lindy Hop (though no guarantee she listed them in order)

"So far in 3 numbers it's @AljazSkorjanec @TheAntonDuBeke and @TristanMacManus #busygirl"

not entirely sure I like the mix n match idea

at least if we knew who was dancing with who and it stayed that way you would be able to (hopefully) pick out your fav couple and watch them

sometimes its soooooo hard to tell who is who - esp if they are all costumed up with wicked makeup on

I like it a lot. I always got bored watching the same old couples - especially ones like Kevin and Karen - who I don't think really looked right together but I figured we'd be stuck with them till the end of time. And I didn't think Tristan and Kristina were well-suited to each other, nor Pasha and Ola. And Janette needed a little 'un and they were taken. So I'm happy - and can't wait to see them!

look like today we have

Kevin and Aliona
Tristan and Otile
Janette and one of the new pros (sorry, no idea which from behind!)
Kristina and ? (new pro possibly)

https://twitter.com/JManrara/status/629254610721579008

I think Kristina is with Gleb - and Janette is with Giovanni (if that's Janette with the short pig tails - could it be Karen?)

I think its Janette, surely too short to be Karen............

EDIT: not Karen, Karen is in a black, backless tshirt

https://twitter.com/karen_hauer/stat...93955696488448