Seven Questions in Seven Days

Over the past week I’ve had the opportunity to ask Dance and Entertainment Reporter Kristyn Burtt a variety of questions. But due to her busy schedule we agreed to one a day throughout the process.

A few of Kristyn’s current projects include appearing live weekdays on the ‘Tom Barnard Show,’ at 9:15am CT. While she’s a regular contributor to former ‘Dancing with the Stars‘ pro, Cheryl Burke’s ‘Sex, Lies and Spray Tans‘ podcast.

Plus, she’s a KPBS (a public television station in San Diego) Pledge Host, as well. And is involved in various writing projects that encompass dance and entertainment too.

With the week of questioning over, let’s get started.

Day 1:

WNBA All-Star Weekend

Your take on Caitlin Clark and all the attention she’s brought the league and how big for women in sports do you think it is and why?

Kristyn

I honestly don’t love the discourse around because the rookie players… Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink (before her injury) brought so many new fans to the table. We should be celebrating all of the women — and no one should be pitting them against each other from a fan or media perspective. 

Clark dominated the NCAA and brought the attention the WNBA has been begging for, for far too long. If I were a member of the WNBA, I would be working with my team, my agents, and my social media management to leverage this attention. Even if I am not at Clark or Reese’s level, there is money to be made and everyone can capitalize on it — plus, make an impact at the community level.

I am thrilled that women’s sports is getting the attention it deserves. This will carry over to the upcoming Paris Olympics and prove that female athletes work just as hard as the men. With that should come equal pay and equal opportunities — and yes, that does include dance teams for any professional sports franchise. (See Netflix’s Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders docuseries to get a real behind-the-scenes glimpse at unfair wages.)

Day 2:

Dance Moms

‘Dance Moms’ is back or coming back. As a former dancer yourself what is your take on the whole thing? From the parents who put their children out there to be aired, to the networks for airing these type shows and about the coaches?

Well, for full disclosure… I know Gloria “Glo” Hampton very well — and she’s the new dance educator on Dance Moms. So, I know Glo’s training is excellent. Her daughter, Kaeli Ware, is an extraordinary dancer for Ballet West.

Let’s hope we have all learned from the first version of Dance Moms — and we do much better the second time around. I honestly hope someone writes a tell-all book about that era of the show because TLC played a huge part in how those young girls were treated. It’s not just a one-sided situation.

Day 3:

Kim Cattrall and ‘Sex in the City.’

“And just like that,” Kim Cattrall says she won’t return to‘Sex in the City.’ I haven’t seen the show, must be a man thing, but after seeing a mutual friend of ours, Jennifer @realmomofsfv, post shared on The Independant where Cattrall debunked the rumor of a return, I wanted your take. For readers like me that don’t or haven’t tuned in what’s the fuss? And what was so special about her character that had fans hoping for a return?

I don’t think there’s really a fuss any longer. Kim Cattrall stated she didn’t want to return for the reboot after not enjoying the dynamic on the set. She delightfully wrapped up her storyline with a small cameo at the end of Season 2 on ‘And Just Like That.’ She didn’t film with any of the cast members, which should tell you exactly where the actors all stand with each other personally. 

When ‘Sex and the City’ premiered in 1998, Samantha was a ground-breaking character who felt free with her sexuality and made no apologies about it. She was a loyal friend to Carrie Bradshaw, who didn’t always return the favor. The show was a pop-culture moment in time — the episodes don’t always hold up in 2024 (many are cringeworthy), but it’s a fun lookback at the late ‘90s to early naughts.

Day 4:

 Team USA Women’s Gymnastics

There’s a couple of things that we should’ve talked about today, but this will come out after they occur, Coco Gauff and LeBron James being flag bearers for the US Olympic Team in Paris and Celine Dion making her return to centerstage there, both very important events.

But let’s talk about one of your passions instead, Team USA Women’s Gymnastics and their chances of Gold.

Team USA is strong, but they are going to be challenged by Brazil and Simone Biles versus Rebeca Andrade in the All-Around is going to come down to who hits that day. We have an experienced team with one newbie, Hezly Rivera. (Alternates can’t be used once Qualifications begin on Sunday.)

We are so lucky to see an athlete like Biles in our lifetime, we probably won’t see anything like her again. She’s doing tricks that the men do, and no one, but Andrade, really challenges her out there during a meet. It’s going to be a great matchup!

NOTE: USA Womens Gymnastics went on to win the team part of the 2024 Paris Summer Games this past weekend.

Day 5:

Hollywood Stars Inductees

I wanted to ask today’s question about DWTS, but it seems the biggest news on that front is that Sharna Burgess has dyed her hair back to red. So, instead, let’s talk about the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

I read there’s twelve inductees this year getting stars. Doesn’t that feel like a large amount to you? Some readers like me, might be thinking, it’s gone a bit overboard. Granted the talent levels have grown but I see the likes of someone like Prince, an inductee this year, that should’ve had a star many years ago. Do you think the committee that chooses the recipients is making up for past misjudgments, or has the talent increased that much? Your thoughts on the entire process of getting a star?

The stars cost $75,000, so the celebrities who were nominated for 2025 have movie studios or fan clubs paying for that cost. The celebrity has to show up for the ceremony, and remember, they honor people across many categories… motion pictures, television, recording, radio, live performance, and sports entertainment… that’s why there are so many recipients. 

As for Prince, he declined the honor when he was alive. It’s his estate who accepted the honor after his passing, that is why he is getting his star now. Bruce Springsteen, George Clooney, and Denzel Washington are all stars who have declined the honor.

Day 6:

Favorite Dance Routine

In all your years of covering the various dance shows, which performance stands out in your mind as the most memorable and why?

Ahhhh, that’s a hard one to narrow down. Season 18 of “Dancing with the Stars” with Derek Hough and Amy Purdee in their “Only Human” number. I saw that in-studio and it was unforgettable.

I also loved watching Mandy Moore create the Top 100 dance for Season 14 on “So You Think You Can Dance.” They filmed it on the Cal State Northridge campus, and it was an unforgettable day — and she won her first Emmy for that number.

Day 7:

Your Career:

This one’s about you and your career. What is it that you love most about covering dance and entertainment and why? Plus, your proudest moment in doing so.

My career is over two decades in, so it’s hard to pinpoint one exact moment, but there are a few highlights. I loved interviewing Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen with my mom for the mother-son movie, “The Guilt Trip.” 

The interview that I remember the most — and which sadly is lost after the media outlet I worked for folded — was my interview with the parents who lost their children in the Sandy Hook shooting. Their grief was still unfolding in real time, it was so palpable. I think of those families every year on the anniversary. 

And of course, my first year on the Oscars red carpet in 2011 was truly a personal triumph. Small-town me made it to the big show!

I’d like to say thank you Kristyn for your time, as I know it’s precious with the schedule you hold. I’d also like to thank my friend who always steps up for the occasion, you’re truly remarkable, KB!

If you’d like to follow Kristyn on social media, I’ve enclosed her links below.

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