Meet the Wounded Army Veteran Who Won ‘Dancing With The Stars’
- Posted on November 23, 2011 at 2:10pm by
Buck Sexton
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(The Blaze/AP) – J.R. Martinez started out as the least-known member of the “Dancing With the Stars” cast, but as the season went on, America fell in love with the 28-year-old soldier-turned-soap opera star.
“Dancing” draws 18 million viewers a week who got a firsthand look at the Iraq war veteran with the infectious positive attitude. They heard his story: How he was severely burned over more than 40 percent of his body when the Humvee he was driving for the U.S. Army struck a land mine, how he underwent numerous surgeries over years of recovery – then they saw him dancing like that had happened to somebody else. The 28-year-old actor and motivational speaker radiates joy.
“You’ve got such a sparkling personality, you just light up this room,“ ”Dancing” judge Len Goodman said.
Earlier this month, Martinez was chosen as grand marshal of the 123rd annual Tournament of Roses parade. He was on the cover of People magazine and named one of its “sexiest men” a few weeks later. And on Tuesday, he became the new “Dancing With the Stars” champion.
ABC News has a profile of Martinez’s inspiring journey here:
Martinez and professional partner Karina Smirnoff claimed the mirrorball trophy over fellow finalists Rob Kardashian and Ricki Lake.
“We’ve been able to create a lot of magical moments on the show and to top it off with this is amazing,” Martinez said, holding the glittery trophy.
“And my friend, she deserves it,” he continued, looking at Smirnoff. “She’s an amazing dancer and she should be in that category with the elite when it comes to this show and hold her own trophy up. The fact that I was able to be part of that journey, I’m excited about that.”
The dance partners (and neighbors – Smirnoff and Martinez live near one another) already know where they’ll put the mirrorballs.
Smirnoff wants to keep hers at her dance studio in “a space with a spotlight and I’m going to polish it every morning,” she said.
Martinez will be keeping his trophy even closer.
“Right now I’m going to put mine in bed. I’m going to tuck it in, and it’s going to roll around with me,” he beamed. “And then after that, once we’ve kind of grown apart, I’m going to glue it to the hood of my car and drive around Los Angeles and honk my horn and it will be my own parade.”
Kardashian, who came into the season finale in first place with professional partner Cheryl Burke, said he didn’t mind finishing as a runner-up.
“I feel great. I literally did everything I could have asked myself to do and more,” the reality star said after the show. Still, he said Martinez “deserves that trophy more than anyone.”
It appears fans had the final say. Viewer votes combined with judges’ scores determine the winner, and Kardashian and Martinez were just a point apart when all the dancing was done. As the third-place finisher, Lake was eliminated part way through the final episode.
“J.R. and Karina really deserved to win,” she said after the show. “And Rob and Cheryl, I’m so impressed with them both, so it’s great to be among the three best.”
After a quick trip to New York with his fellow finalists to make an appearance on “Good Morning America,” and maybe some dance-free downtime over Thanksgiving, the former soldier and current “Dancing With the Stars” champ has a full roster of activities planned.
“I want to focus on writing a book. I want to tell people more in-depth the story of who J.R. Martinez is and what I’ve been through,” he said. “And at the same time, I want to continue acting, continue doing motivational speaking and, from time to time, call Karina and say, `Let’s go dance.’”
Martinez did win, taking home the coveted mirror ball trophy as the Season 13 champion.
Military Times gave some touching context to JR’s victory, writing that:
”Martinez won from the moment he decided to live after a terrible injury suffered as a soldier in Iraq. He won from the moment he decided not to be defined by injury or disability. He won when he decided to motivate and help others. He won by having the courage to become an actor, and he won again when he decided to put himself out there for “DWTS.”
Congratulations to J.R., and thanks to all our veterans for their courage and inspiration.
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kalayaan
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 4:55pmJ R Martinez…you are a star to all of us!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Report Post »Silat
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:58pmThe man can dance!
Report Post »Aegis
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:05pmThanks for representing all of us enlisted men so well! BZ from a former squid!
Report Post »B-Neil
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 10:04amGood story about a good man. Damn good Veteran Representative. CARRY ON McDUFF
Report Post »bobbie22
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:24amBravo. First saw him at Glenn Beck 8/28, when he was introduced on stage with him. All the best to J.R. a wonderful American
Report Post »Mickeyd
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 3:35amLove this guy! And even though I think he’s handsome, this proves that sexy is also about the personality you bring. maybe even more about that than one’s looks. But JR’s got it all—
Report Post »Mickeyd
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 3:08amI wasn’t even going to watch this season of DWTS, but then I read about JR and as I learned more about him I decided to watch. He is an awesome American, and a great example to all. Despite his injuries, this guy could get more dates than many guys who’d never gone to war and suffered all that he did. And that’s b/c he is just plain attractive in looks, personality and spirit. Contrast someone like this with those whiners at Occupy Wallstreet and it’s not even close who exemplifies the best of America. Go, JR! You’re a total winner!
Report Post »mikee1
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:29pmI love vets and hope they do well in everything. But does anything suck more than DANCING WITH THE STARS?
Report Post »ehann
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 9:22pmCONGRATULATIONS to a man who stands head and shoulder above all who competed. You are a true hero. Thanks again for your service. You are an inspiration to all. My God be with you all the day of your life. THANK YOU
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:19pmI love your comment. I just watched the last show, I never follow it . I had heard this man was on and wanted to see who won. I was pleased, he was actually very talented. I agree with your post and also would like to thank him and congratulate him. Truth is from what I saw he can really dance well.
Report Post »starboardlady
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 8:43pmI loved watching both JR and Karina. They were perfectly matched and had great chemistry. So happy for them and sent him all my votes throughout the season. That waltz they did to “What the world needs now” was the best dance I ever saw on Dancing the stars…ever. It blew me away.
Report Post »The best man won. Best wishes to both JR and Karina.
pleinair49
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 8:09pmI was so happy to see JR do this 10 weeks ago. I have followed him since I chose him 2 years ago to represent his home state of LA in a benefit I did for Special Ops Warrior Fdn. Each state was represented by a vet who gave back and this guy is the real thing – he is a winner. To see the benefit Land of the Free go to the SOWF link https://specialops.site-ym.com/?Supporters
Report Post »lynda1276
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 7:13pmvery cool
Report Post »keaton
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 7:10pmSorry! Never watched. They lost me when they made 2 girls partners!
Report Post »rickbob
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 9:11pmI didn’t watch until the big ugly girl dancing with Lacey got booted. . .
Report Post »Discord
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 10:30amDude, both of you lay off
Report Post »buster2
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 7:06pmWhat an inspiration for any injured vet. What strenght, character and love that shines through JR. We need more inspriational stories about everyday people and not these stars that are so shallow.
Good job and you have already shown that you can conquer anything you want to do.
Report Post »supertas
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 6:48pmGo on with your bad self. Nice job.
Report Post »bry
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 6:27pmThe BEST man won! Congats J.R.!!
Report Post »right
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 5:38pmJ.R. Martinez you are a true hero.
Report Post »Thank you for your service to our country.
God Bless and good luck!!
daveposh
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 5:07pmOops. I just got in trouble by reading the title of this article to my wife before she had a chance to watch the show that was DVRed. I’m sorry Brenda…
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:23pmFlowers are called for. Lots of roses in her favorite color. Oh, and you might want to make Thanksgiving dinner too. Good luck.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 3:50pmI really like this show. I just hope that ABC doesn’t continue to try and push the envelope by putting controversial characters on as a ratings ploy.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 4:33pmI am so glad that it was him and not Ricky Lake .. nothing against Lake except that I am tired of people like her and Jennifer Grey acting like they have no professional dancing experience .. they have both danced in movies!
Congrats J.R. you deserve it!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 3:49pmDisfigured… Vet… wins popularity contest… on Liberal Network… which makes everyone feel good… and makes the Liberals look like good guys.
Suckers!
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 6:28pmLukerW
What are you even talking about?? Did you watch him?? He was the best dancer
Report Post »and I for one was excited he won. He certainly was not GIVEN this trophy…. He
earned every ounce of it. I admire him for not sitting and feeling sorry for himself.
I think it was wonderful of him to even try this.The last three couples were really
good. I think your comment stinks.
South Philly Boy
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 3:45pmExcellent
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 3:40pmSuch courage befits our soldiers. I hope they all have as good a Thanksgiving as they can in a country that hates them for protecting them.
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 3:34pmI like this guy a lot.
Report Post »