
Jenna Johnson and Joe Amabile reflect on a near-accident during their 'Dancing with the Stars' partnership, while Jenna reveals her preference for partnering with football players.
- Dec 19, 2024
AceShowbiz - When Joe Amabile, known as "Grocery Store Joe", teamed up with pro dancer Jenna Johnson on "Dancing With the Stars", it was a season filled with both challenges and triumphs. Despite their struggles, including a hair-raising near-miss during a live performance, their bond and perseverance highlighted the essence of teamwork and resilience.
"The Bachelorette" alum Joe Amabile and "Dancing with the Stars" pro Jenna Johnson reminisced about their memorable performances on season 27 of the popular dance competition on a recent episode of the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast. Amabile, recounting a particularly fraught moment from their Halloween-themed Argentine tango, asked Johnson, "Remember when I almost snapped your neck?"
Jenna instantly knew what he was referring to. "The Halloween episode, yeah," she replied. Recalling the near-catastrophe, Amabile added, "I almost killed you. I swear on my life, she almost died. It was insane." The mishap occurred when Amabile placed his arm in the wrong spot during their final move, preventing Johnson from completing a backflip and narrowly avoiding a fall that could have resulted in serious injury.
Despite this alarming moment, Johnson was quick to reassure Amabile. "Honestly, Joe, that was your best dance, and it was the ending move. We had just one lift," she encouraged. "He put his arm in the wrong spot. I was going to do a backflip. I don't know how I did that."
The duo was ultimately eliminated in the semifinals, finishing alongside "Fuller House" alum Juan Pablo Di Pace and pro Cheryl Burke. Reflecting on their time together, Amabile humorously noted his ballroom shortcomings, while Johnson, ever the supportive partner, underscored their strong camaraderie and the fun they had despite the challenges. "We laughed so hard. I feel like because there were no expectations dance-wise we were just like, 'Let's just go do this!' "
However, Johnson admitted she initially hoped to partner with an NFL player for the show. "I've never had a football player. I've always wanted to partner with them because, again, they’re athletic, they are totally down to be coached and yelled at," she explained. Her cohost and Amabile's wife Serena Pitt teased, "This is why she wants a football player. They would never do that to me."
Amabile's journey on "DWTS" may not have ended with a victory, but his "Bachelor" peer Joey Graziadei later went on to achieve what no bachelor before him had done, winning the coveted Mirrorball trophy. Graziadei, partnering with Johnson for season 33, made history and proved that with perseverance and the right guidance, even Bachelor Nation stars can conquer the dance floor.
The experience with both Amabile and Graziadei highlighted not just the demanding nature of competitive dancing but also the deep bonds and unforgettable moments created along the way.