Janel Parrish Defends Racy ‘Dancing’ Burlesque

“Pretty Little Liars” star Janel Parrish told Access Hollywood last week that her burlesque for Monday’s “Dancing with the Star’s” was going to be “real naughty” – and she and pro partner Artem Chigvintsev delivered on her promise.

Janel and Artem, who were paired for Switch Up week, were met with some criticism after heating up the ballroom.

“There’s no denying that was extremely sexy, but to me, that was not burlesque,” Julianne Hough told the pair. “Burlesque has a cheekiness and quirkiness… that was really raunchy and sexy.”

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But the 25-year-old actress defended the dance, which scored a 33, when she talked to Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson following the show.

“I think it’s a sexy dance from what I’ve seen. It’s usually a dance with women, so when you throw a man in there, it’s going to get a little sexy,” she said of the show’s first-ever burlesque routine.

Judge Bruno Tonioli disagreed with his fellow judge, raving after the performance, “Never too sexy for me! There’s not a person in the country who will need Viagra tonight!”

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“If our biggest crime tonight that it was a little too sexy, it’s OK with me,” Janel said of her critics. “I think we had an amazing time.”

Adding, “It was fun and it looked hot.”

On Monday’s “DWTS”, Janel will return to her regular partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, at 8 PM on ABC.

 

— Jesse Spero