Chandler Kinney, known for her role in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, and the talented professional dancer Brandon Armstrong ignited screens as partners on Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars. Their dynamic partnership quickly became a fan favorite, and in an exclusive interview, the duo offered insights into their journey, revealing the highs, lows, and unique bond formed amidst the glitter and grueling rehearsals of live television. This article delves into the captivating partnership of Brandon Armstrong Dwts Partners with Chandler Kinney, exploring their experiences, challenges, and the lessons learned both on and off the dance floor.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong in a dynamic pose
Unpacking the Rewarding Dances and Challenging Moments
Reflecting on their Dancing with the Stars experience, both Chandler and Brandon highlighted the emotional rollercoaster of the competition. For Chandler, the Week Six Paso Doble, performed on Disney night, stood out as particularly rewarding. The synergy of reprising her Disney character, dancing to a song she herself performed in the movie, and showcasing it on the DWTS stage created a uniquely special moment. However, this week also carried significant pressure. Coming off critiques from dedication night, Chandler felt the need to prove her storytelling and emotional depth through dance. This internal and external pressure made the Paso Doble week one of her toughest, pushing her to confront self-doubt and ultimately emerge with a stronger sense of self-assurance. She stated, “So many times throughout this process, I think we all relate in having questions of like, ‘Can I do this? What am I capable of?’ And so, I think I was able to emerge from that week proud because I proved that I am capable and I do know what I’m made of, and to be able to show it to others was really fulfilling.”
Brandon echoed Chandler’s sentiment regarding the Paso Doble, emphasizing the show’s inherent ebb and flow. He noted that maintaining consistency across eleven weeks is a significant challenge. For them, navigating the initial smooth sailing and leaderboard placements meant proactively addressing potential dips. The Paso Doble served as a pivotal moment for Chandler to reconnect with her strengths, regain her footing, and propel forward with renewed vigor. Brandon articulated, “I think it’s just anytime that you can — the thing about the show is, I’ve said this a million times, but it’s all about the ups and the downs, and the hardest part of the show is not getting up from the downs, but it’s maintaining the ups.”
Chandler Kinney smiling brightly in dance attire
Mutual Growth: Lessons Beyond the Ballroom
Their partnership extended far beyond choreography and dance steps; Chandler and Brandon learned valuable life lessons from each other. Chandler credited Brandon with pushing her to “push my ceiling,” a concept he instilled in her throughout their DWTS journey. As a self-proclaimed “recovering perfectionist,” Chandler often grappled with the pressure to consistently perform at 110%. Brandon helped her understand that personal bests are fluid, evolving from day to day. He encouraged her to continually strive for more, demonstrating that growth lies in the process of pushing boundaries, applicable not just to dance but to all aspects of life. Chandler explained, “Brandon has really helped me learn that there’s so much in the process of a thing and your best on Monday may not be the best thing that you can achieve on a Friday. And so, pushing that ceiling of what you’re actually capable of and what is possible for you is possible and that’s something that he has proven to me in this process, which I really appreciate because I think it’s applicable not only to dance but also to every part of life really.”
Brandon, in turn, acknowledged learning from Chandler’s generation’s mindset of authenticity and self-acceptance. He contrasted this with a more traditional upbringing focused on conformity. While valuing the positive aspects of embracing individuality, Brandon also emphasized the importance of continuous self-improvement and potential realization. He believes in evolving beyond one’s current self, striving for constant growth and progress, mirroring their approach to dance where each day builds upon the last. Armstrong stated, “You can be who you are on Monday, but on Tuesday, you need to be 105% of that, then on Wednesday, you need to be 110% and if you can constantly evolve like that, by the time you are 60, 70 years old, you’re pleased with the product that you have progressed to and I think that’s how we do it with dancing.”
Brandon Armstrong looking intently while instructing Chandler Kinney
Building Trust Under Pressure: Live Show Dynamics
The intense environment of live shows inherently fostered a deep sense of trust between Brandon Armstrong DWTS partners and Chandler. Brandon recounted a particularly telling moment during Viennese Waltz week. Despite being a seasoned professional capable of improvising, he drastically changed approximately 50% of their routine the night before the live performance. This significant last-minute alteration was, in his words, “not very fair” to Chandler, who lacks his years of dance experience. However, Brandon’s intuition led him to believe the changes were necessary to elevate the performance. This bold move showcased immense trust in Chandler’s ability to adapt and perform under immense pressure. For Chandler, it was a moment of realizing her own capacity to rise to the occasion. Armstrong described the situation, “I changed probably conservatively 50% of our dance Sunday night for Viennese waltz. Realistically, my hand to the God above, it was probably more, it was a lot. It was a huge chunk of the dance from the first four bars to the last four bars. It was not very fair of me. But to me, it was more like I could see the product of what it was and it wasn’t what it should have been. And so, we made a little audible last minute. I made the audible last minute, I think she kind of got drug along for it but then, I think the turnout, to me, was worth it a million percent. So I think I developed trust in her that she has the ability to turn it on and sell water to the ocean, and she also trusted herself more than probably she ever has because you have to be able to just sell it, dance it.”
Chandler offered another anecdote highlighting their trust, recalling a lift mishap during week five’s Contemporary dance dedicated to her mother. Despite a botched lift that felt disastrous to them both on stage, the televised performance appeared far less flawed. Brandon’s save and their collective ability to recover in the moment solidified Chandler’s trust in her partner’s skill and reliability, even when things went awry. Kinney shared, “Well, mine was just kind of just a little giggle for myself, when Brandon didn’t drop me when we botched our lift in week five. What’s hysterical is we both knew how bad it was because it was just not what we had rehearsed at all but then watching it back, it did not look that bad at all. So I was like, ‘Hey, props to Brandon. Trust that man,’ because he did not drop me and we both just trusted that we were gonna make something happen.”
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong on the DWTS stage in costume
The Adrenaline of Live Performance
The transition from rehearsing to performing live presented both a thrill and a unique set of challenges for Brandon Armstrong DWTS partners. For Chandler, accustomed to the world of acting with multiple takes and opportunities for refinement, the single-take nature of live television was initially daunting. The pressure intensified by the fact that an entire week’s preparation culminated in a mere 60-second performance. However, this pressure also yielded a unique “magic” inherent to live performance, an unrepeatable energy that Chandler found both terrifying and exhilarating. Kinney explained, “This is one go. If you stumble, if you fumble, there’s no calling cut. It is what it is what it is and so, that’s terrifying. It’s scary, I would say the added pressure of it is the fact that you’ve just spent like six days only working on that 60 seconds, whereas even with acting, you’re not running that same scene day after day after day for hours on end. So there’s almost another layer of stress and anxiety because you know how much you’ve put into that one moment and you only get the one go.”
Brandon, conversely, thrived in the live environment. As someone who enjoys pressure and embraces challenges, he found the high-stakes nature of live performance addictive. He believes that a degree of pressure enhances performance, and the DWTS stage provided that in abundance. The unpredictable variables and the one-shot opportunity created an addictive adrenaline rush that both partners came to appreciate. Armstrong stated, “I’m like a game day kid, playing sports, growing up, whatever it may be, I love a little pressure. I don’t know, I just think people are too comfortable nowadays. They look for the softest, easiest way around things. I’m like, I just don’t want it, I want that little edge. I think it makes you perform the best and so that alone, like she’s saying, on the highest scale, though, I cannot reiterate. It’s like a thousand percent of that feeling because it’s one shot and there’s so many variables, even stuff that you can’t control. But it’s addictive. It’s addictive, you start missing it, you start craving it.”
Brandon Armstrong and Chandler Kinney in elegant dance attire on stage
Representation and Breaking Barriers
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong achieved a significant milestone as the first Black dancing couple to advance further than any other in DWTS history. This accomplishment carried immense weight and pride for both partners, highlighting the importance of representation on a prominent platform. While acknowledging the celebratory aspect, Brandon also emphasized the nuanced conversation surrounding representation. He recognized his privileged access to ballroom dancing from a young age, contrasting it with the limited opportunities in underserved communities. He expressed a commitment to expanding access to ballroom dancing for people of color, particularly within communities where such opportunities are lacking. Armstrong elaborated on this, “I want Black people, African American people, people of color, and everybody to look at me and see potential. But we also have to be realistic that that potential came from being raised in a community where I had access to ballroom dancing. The communities that a lot of people who look like me come from do not have access to that ballroom dancing and that is something that I’m very passionate about, and I want to be very clear about because even that conversation has been very diluted now in 2024 and with the movements and with the this and the that, it becomes just a cloud of whatever. We gotta be specific with what we’re talking about here. I don’t represent the African American kid from Crenshaw Heights, South Side Chicago, Philadelphia, or blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I don’t represent them. I want to and that’s why I’m going to work to bring this style and this art to those communities but we gotta be realistic with what I do represent and so, I’m very passionate about it and I want to be very clear about it because I would love to see the ballroom floor look completely different than it was when I grew up but we have to do that by going to that community.”
Chandler echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the mix of excitement, pride, and frustration that accompanies this achievement in 2024. She underscored the responsibility they felt in representing and inspiring, while also recognizing the broader systemic issues that contribute to the lack of diversity in ballroom dancing. Kinney added, “It’s funny, we’ve talked about this, and yes, it definitely is a moment of excitement, joy, and pride and then, it’s also a little frustrating and confusing that we’re literally in the big year of 2024 and we are the one Black couple that has made it the furthest in this competition in 33 seasons and 20 years. And so, there is a lot of responsibility that comes with that and we feel that, and we are excitedly shouldering it because we do want to represent, we understand how important that is. But yeah, it’s definitely like a big feeling. I think there’s a lot wrapped up [in it].” Brandon further highlighted the stark reality of limited Black representation amongst DWTS professionals, emphasizing the need for broader conversations about accessibility and inclusivity within ballroom culture. Armstrong concluded, “Yeah, but if you think about it, out of 33 seasons, there’s been three Black pros on Dancing with the Stars: Keo, Britt, and me.”
Brandon Armstrong and Chandler Kinney posing together after a performance
Dream Theme Nights: East Coast vs. West Coast & Bridgerton Ballroom
When asked about their dream theme night for DWTS, Brandon Armstrong DWTS partners showcased their creative synergy once again. Brandon proposed a “West Coast vs. East Coast” music night, envisioning a musical showdown with team-based immunity challenges. Chandler, initially hesitant, warmed up to Brandon’s wife’s suggestion: a Bridgerton-themed night. The idea of string quartet renditions of contemporary songs, coupled with elegant ballroom attire, sparked excitement for both. Chandler even playfully suggested a Viennese Waltz-only night for a level playing field, complete with a live orchestra and tea service in the skybox, showcasing their shared playful dynamic and imaginative vision. Armstrong described his idea, “Okay, I think this would be cool. I think it would be fun to do a West Coast versus East Coast music night. So West Coast music, East Coast music artists and they verse each other. I think that’d be fun and the best part about it is you would have West Coast and East Coast teams, and whichever team ends with the highest accumulative score on the night, they win immunity, you know what I mean? Something that’s fun like that. I think that would be fun.” Kinney added enthusiastically about the Bridgerton theme, “Yeah, I like that one. Those are good ones. I think it would be so cool if we all just did like Viennese waltz too and then it’s just like an even competition because everyone’s doing the exact same style. Armstrong: And live orchestra, come on. Kinney: Yes, that would be beautiful. Everyone in the audience is dressed to the nines, they serve tea, and crumpets in the skybox. Wait, now I’m getting on board!”
The partnership of Brandon Armstrong and Chandler Kinney on Dancing with the Stars was more than just a competition; it was a journey of mutual learning, trust-building, and breaking barriers. Their insights offer a glimpse into the dedication, resilience, and unique bond forged under the spotlight, making their story a compelling chapter in the DWTS narrative.
