DWTS' Joanna Krupa denies ballerina rumors, dishes on love and shares her secret dancing diet

November 2, 9:09 AMCelebrity Fitness and Health ExaminerSunny Pepper

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Model Joanna Krupa has been featured on the covers of popular magazines, including the enviable December issue of Playboy next month, but that doesn't make her easy in her dancing shoes.

As Joanna and her partner Derek Hough enter Episode 7 of Dancing with the Stars, the two will be rockin' the Rumba to advance towards a win on the show, but as the competition steeps, so does the pressure.

Rumors surfaced last week alleging Joanna had professional training in ballet, including Wikipedia which titles her "a ballet dancer", so we reached out to see if that's why she's excelled on the show.

"Whoever started that absurd rumor is obviously not rooting for Derek and me," the star said in an exclusive interview with Examiner.com.

"Thankfully the truth is a stubborn little thing. If my performance is gathering tons of attention, then that is thanks to my amazing dancing partners, Derek and Maks (Maksim Chmerkovskiy), who are both fabulous teachers."

While she's far from a professional ballerina, Joanna does remember days where ballet was a small part of her life.

"I took ballet when I was a little girl and had to quit cause we didnt have much money," Krupa says. "Being on this show is in a weird way making me relive that little girls' dream." 

But that won't be enough to give her an edge over the competition and she knows it.

"The last 11 weeks have definitely been intense since I'm not a dancer and its quite challenging learning new dances each week," says the 30-year-old blonde. "Especially since there are other competitiors that are professional performers whose work has included not just singing but dancing/learning steps."

Krupa and Hough will have to enter this week pulling out their best steps in the Rumba against fan-favored couples like singer-actress Mya and Dmitry Chaplin and former singer and reality TV star Aaron Carter and his partner Karina Smirnoff.

To combat the competition, Krupa has been working hard in rehearsals, focusing on turns in the routine and even staying in on Halloween to keep her batteries charged.

"There is total passion for what I am doing on the show. Loving the doing is what makes it all happen," she says of her edge.

As far as any other prior dance experience, Joanna has only a few booty-shaking moments to pull from. When asked what of her past work or personal life experience has helped her on the show, Joanna referred to good times with girlfriends and AM jams.

"The only past experience i can think of is going out to Mynt and dancing my butt off with girlfriends!" she confesses. "Plus my favorite song to sing in the morning is " Shake Your Booty", so I guess that song became a self-fulfilling prophecy," she adds laughing.

Referring to Mynt, a posh nightclub in Miami owned by Joanna's fiance Romain Zago, Joanna also speaks of how Dancing with the Stars has made keeping up with her love life a bit more challenging - Especially since the 5-foot-7 Polish model and Zago (shown below) live on opposite coasts.

"Romain and I got engaged [in] November 2007 and we are probably going tie the knot next year," she says. "But we haven't set a date yet."

Adding, "We are both very busy with our careers and just blindly squeezing in a wedding date now would not be a proof of greater love but plain silly," she explains. "We both love each other dearly and eventually we will set a date or elope."

Even with Zago based in Miami, Zago has made it to almost every show, being "nothing but supportive", says Krupa who rehearses in LA at least five hours a day to keep up with learning the routines for the show.

"The good news is that I can indulge in carbs," says the star when talking of her intense rehearsal schedule. "Even candy, more without feeling guilty. The body needs fuel, so carbs are essential," she adds.

When asked what other lifestyle changes she's had to make to get accustomed to the show, Joanna responds with playful dedication.

"As for lifestyle, that word includes the word 'life' and that is exactly what I don't have anymore," she laughs. "DWTS is my life for as long as I am on the show - and I do embrace it."

While the cover model and actress is no stranger to the stage, when it comes to dancing, she confesses to getting the jitter bug and being a bit superstitious. 

"Before every performance i get really nervous," she admits. "It's about controlling the nerves and making the most out of the dance. It is a live show and anything can happen."

Using her roots for a lucky charm, Joanna relies on a bit of Polish tradition to ease the pre-show pressures.

"It is a Polish tradition to kick the person in the butt for good luck," she says. "So my booty got plenty of well-meant kicks from my family, friends and manager."

The dancing star will take to the dance floor tonight at 8/7c on ABC, fans doing their part at any turn by voting on their iPhones or using the show's 800-number.

Want more on hot Joanna Krupa?

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Joanna Krupa's sex life destroyed by 'Dancing with the Stars'

How Dancing with the Stars' Joanna Krupa nailed Playboy cover (again!)

Playboy model and DWTS' Joanna Krupa reveals exercise and diet secrets (VIDEO)


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