The two most popular dancing programs on television are "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing With the Stars." Chelsie Hightower has been on both of them.
In July 2008, the 20-year-old Orem woman tied for fifth on "SYTYCD"; in January 2009 she made her debut on "Stars" as one of the professional dancers, partnering with champion rodeo cowboy Ty Murray.
She returns for her second season on that ABC hit tonight (7 p.m., Ch. 4), partnering with another sometime Utahn — snowboarder Louie Vito.
"I still think reality hasn't hit me yet," Hightower told the Deseret News. "It still feels like I'm just dancing in a competition."
A champion ballroom dancer, Hightower caught the attention the producers of the ABC show when she competed on the Fox show.
"They contacted me the day I got home from (the 'SYTYCD') tour," she said. "The rest is history."
But her second TV show is a very different experience.
"Yes, in every way," Hightower said. "You're not worried about yourself anymore. All of your stress and all of your nervousness before your performance is for your celebrity."
"SYTYCD" was "easier in a way because you only had to worry about you. The choreography didn't fall on you, the costumes didn't fall on you, the other person dancing didn't fall on you. But on this show, it's completely opposite. Everything does fall on you at the end of the day because you are the teacher and you do make the last call on everything. So there's more pressure.
"When it comes to the actual competing part, definitely 'So You Think You Can Dance' was a lot harder. But going out on the stage being nervous for your (celebrity), that's actually a different feeling."
Hightower has been a dance instructor since she was 16.
"If I hadn't had all that experience, I would really be a duck out of water," she said. "But you don't really teach thinking you're going to be on national TV teaching. It's pretty amazing that that's how it's worked out."
And it's a challenge to train nondancers.
"It was hard taking a celebrity who has never had an ounce of dance training in his life — and not even doesn't have an ounce of training, doesn't even have an ounce of ability — and try and make him look good in three days for 22 million people," Hightower said. "There's pressure just wanting to make a good impression in your first season. And having someone who is as great as Ty, because he's such an awesome person, but also when it comes to dance ability is as not-good as Ty."
Despite Murray's lack of ability, Hightower managed to make him look good enough that they outlasted nine other couples, finishing fourth.
Her current partner doesn't have any more experience than Murray did. But High-tower said she's having a great time with Vito.
"We are the same age so we do get along really well. We have a lot of fun together and we relate to each other really well," Hightower said. "And that's one of the biggest things in a competition like this. You're with this person 24/7. You literally see this person more than you see your family. More than you see your best friends. More than you see your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband, whatever it is. And to be able to get along with that person and enjoy being with that person is huge.
She said she'd rather have the worst dancer in the competition "if I get along with him. Because that's what makes it a great experience of a bad experience."
Hightower praised Vito's motivation and drive, saying he's improving "really quickly." But what dance experience does he bring to "Dancing With the Stars"?
"None at all," she said with a laugh. "Actually, his experience totally hinders him because everything that he was taught in snowboarding is completely opposite of dance. Like his posture — he's so used to being hunched over and it's completely opposite of what you have to be for dancing."
This is also the second consecutive show in which Hightower finds herself in the company of a bunch of others with Utah ties. The season she was on "SYTYCD," she was one of four who made it to the top 14.
This fall on "Dancing With the Stars," Hightower is one of seven with at least some Utah tie, including celebrities Donny Osmond and Vito and professional dancers Mark Ballas, Derek Hough, Lacey Schwimmer and Louis van Amstel
"Utah's pulling through — coming on strong!" she said with a laugh. "It just goes to show how much talent there is in Utah, especially when it comes to dancing.
"And it's cool to be from a place like Utah, where you would never expect it but there are so many good dancers here."
If you watch …
What: "Dancing With the Stars" season premiere
When: Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Channel: ABC/Ch. 4
e-mail: pierce@desnews.com