TV Guide Magazine checks in with Dancing with the Stars’ leading contenders

With Jewel and Nancy O’Dell out of the running, TV Guide Magazine checks in with Dancing with the Stars’ leading contenders as they try to get off on a good foot.

1. Melissa Ryecroft (and Tony Dovolani)

On being substituted in at the eleventh hour: “One of the ABC execs called and said, ‘Hey, here’s an idea, and you have thirty minutes to make the decision.’ ”

On her first performance “I could feel things ripping, I’m 25, but gosh you feel old sometimes when you have to hike your legs up.”

2. Holly Madison (and Dmitry Chaplin)

On substituting for Jewel: “We started rehearsing Tuesday and we rehearsed six hours a day for six days, and then we got three sixes for a score—which is kind of Satanic.”

3. Chuck Wicks (and Julianne Hough)

On taking criticism from the one you love: “She said, ‘Be a man and stand up straight.’ And it’s like, oh, man, I must look like a little wuss over here,” says Wicks.

4. Lil’ Kim (and Derek Hough)

On her competition disadvantage: “Let’s be honest,” says Kim. “How many young hip-hop artists really do the waltz?”

5. Gilles Marini (and Cheryl Burke)

On his partner, two-time champ Cheryl Burke: “Cheryl looks like a swan,” say Marini. “I look like Godzilla.”

6. Shawn Johnson (and Mark Ballas)

On her potential edge: “There’s nothing about ballroom dancing that relates to gymnastics at all,” says Johnson.

7. TY Murray (and Chelsie Hightower)

On his dance background: “Zilch,” says Murray. “I don’t even two-step.”

Jewel (who was partnered with Dmitry Chaplin but had to drop out due to an injury)

On being forced to leave the show: “I was homeless when I was 18. I went from there to here by trying to out-work everybody…I’m not a quitter. I don’t mind pain. I had no idea that could actually backfire on me.”