Danny Amendola Responds to DWTS’ Derek Hough Saying He’s Holding Back

Danny Amendola and his professional partner Whitney Carson waltzed into Dancing with the stars season 33 finale Tuesday night November 19th.

Performs a Viennese waltz and salsa dance to music from John Mayer and Cardi BAmendola and Carson, respectively, scored nine across the board to reach the final with four other pairs. While their performance was good enough to advance (and since there were no eliminations), judging Derek Hough had some constructive criticism for the former NFL wide receiver. Hough believed that in their waltz, Amendola held back emotionally.

“I welcome all criticism,” Amendola, 39, said Us Weekly exclusively. “I’m trying to get better every week. And the judges are obviously amazing professional dancers. So the more information I can absorb from them, the better.

It is an expected answer for someone who has been coached all his life. Amendola spent more than a decade in the NFL and is now a coach on the staff of the Las Vegas Raiders. He even coaches Carson’s 3-year-old son, Leo, on the side.

Amendola has taken his approach as a professional athlete and applied it to Dancing with the stars. He outlined his pre-show routine as a football player during game week.

“I would say just honestly get as many reps as we can and stay in the zone, stay focused,” he said. “You have to block out all the glitz and glamor of being on live television and just hone your focus and all the preparation you’ve put in throughout the week. So that’s really what we do.”

Last week, that meant running rehearsals with props to prepare for a dance that required them to catch a hat, according to Amendola.

Carson, 31, agreed with his partner’s approach, adding that the challenge is staying focused while dealing with outside distractions during the week.

Related: Danny Amendola Is ‘More Sore’ From ‘DWTS’ Than NFL Practice: ‘Icing Up’

The NFL has nothing on Dancing With the Stars — just ask Danny Amendola. “My joints are so much more sore. We play on grass, so it’s a little softer. The hardwood is like I’m freezing,” Amendola, 38, told Us Weekly exclusively after the Dancing With the Stars season 33 premiere Tuesday, September (…)

“We’re just kind of locking in,” she said. “It’s really easy to get distracted by everything and the fans and the other contestants. So you just really have to focus on what you’re doing right then.”

Now it’s on to the finals, where Amendola and Carson will perform one redemption dance and one freestyle routine in hopes of being crowned the winners. Neither was willing to spill much about their routines for next week, but they both agreed on one thing that fans can expect.

“Something memorable,” they both said.

Amendola, Carson and four other pairs will compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in Dancing with the stars end of season on Tuesday 26 November at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. You can stream episodes on Disney+ the next day.