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Dancing with the Stars

Marissa Tackles Her Toughest Dance: Motherhood

May 12, 2008

Newly minted DWTS semi-finalist Marissa Jaret Winokur has been working so hard on her dance moves, she’s fallen behind on the fact that she will soon be hearing the pitter patter of tiny feet (and we’re not talking about Bruno Tonioli). The mom-to-be celebrated another week in the ballroom by ditching a day of practice to grab herself some baby swag.

“I was literally on a ‘guerilla’ mission to get baby stuff,” Marissa admitted, while playing hooky with her husband Judah Miller and dance partner Tony Dovolani at the Silver Spoon Hollywood Dog and Baby Buffet on Saturday. “I told Tony that we were leaving the dance studio for two hours, and that I was going to get things for my baby!”

Winokur, who recently spoke to PEOPLE about her battle with cervical cancer, and her decision with Miller to have a surrogate carry their first child, was every bit the expectant mother. “I’m completely freaking out!” she said, with her trademark caterwaul, adding with a laugh, “I’m so ill-prepared for this baby, I thought for sure that I’d have the nursery done, but DWTS has taken over, and I don’t even have a bassinet!”

After being guided through the rigors of ballroom dance by a pro, Winokur was out to find herself some expert mommy advice. “There are women that came up to me, and they were like, ‘We’re The Baby Planners,’ and I was like, ‘Give me your card, and please help me have this baby!’” she said. “I learned more about what I need to know about my baby from the first ten tables here then I knew before.” –Reagan Alexander

Barry King/WireImage

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Erica Ann May 12th, 2008

Congrats to Marissa…I think she’ll be a great mom!

Rene May 12th, 2008

Congratulations!! Good for her!

s marie May 12th, 2008

Best of luck to you in all you do!! Keep on dancing, you are an inspiration!!

ketiwe May 12th, 2008

God Bless her!!!

Annie May 12th, 2008

What a sweetheart. What first time mom HASN’T felt that complete “am I prepared” freakout before having a baby?!? Good for her. Can’t wait to see pictures of the little baby.

Leia J. May 12th, 2008

What a blessing. If nothing else that baby will know what it means to hear laughter. His mom has a great laugh. I wish them all the best. :-)

Keosha May 12th, 2008

Don’t worry Marissa u’ll b a fantastic mom! Stop freaking about it!

SpiceRulz May 12th, 2008

What a blessing! Congratulations to Marissa and Judah! I am sure they will be wonderful parents. We will praying for you both.

Kristie May 12th, 2008

Congrats to this vibrant young lady! She’ll make a great mom and this will be one happy little child! :-)

Anne May 12th, 2008

Wow…I didn’t even realize she was pregnant?

margie May 12th, 2008

she will the the mommy…she has been wanting this for so long…congrats…

Melinda May 12th, 2008

Congrats to her!! Also for battling with cervical cancer. I’m very happy for her! However she should not be on Dancing with the Stars anymore. I do not think she is a good dancer at all. Shannon and Mario should have def been on there longer than her. I love Tony so much but him and Marissa are just not good together.Good luck to her and being a mommy but I think her time with dancing should end..

margie May 12th, 2008

meant to put she will be the best mommy

jesse May 12th, 2008

She is so freaking adorable!

ap May 12th, 2008

She’s not pregnant, she and her husband are having a baby by means of a surrogate mother… read the article above. Marissa is a great ray of light, I’m sure her baby will be too! YOU GO MARISSA!! thanks for inspiring us all!! :)

Sarah May 12th, 2008

Anne, she isn’t pregnant… didn’t you read the article? She is using a surragate. Congrats to her and her husband!!

Krissy May 12th, 2008

What a lucky baby!! Good luck Marissa!

Sarah May 12th, 2008

Congrats to her on becoming a mother after such a challenge, and a big thank you to her surrogate and all others out there that help women achieve their dreams of being a mother when they thought that their dreams had ended.

Keosha May 12th, 2008

Oh well, that happens 2 everyone sooner or later Margie! Don’t sweat it, we knew wat u meant!

Someone You Know May 12th, 2008

Congratulations Marissa and Judah on your little blessing…he is one blessed baby!

Tori May 12th, 2008

If she wanted a baby so badly that she used a surrogate mother, she should’ve spent some more time planning. A baby is a very serious obligation that should not take back seat to any career move.

Myrna May 12th, 2008

Congrats, I feel that you will be a great mom. may you always stay as up-beat as you are today.

Amy May 12th, 2008

Tori,

Did you not read the article? She had cervical cancer, which probably prevented her from carrying a child herself, thus using a surrogate. It wasn’t a selfish move that you implied. Don’t be so judgemental.

Congrats to Marissa & Judah!

MES May 12th, 2008

God bless them! Marissa is such a positive person and an inspiration to us all.

mary May 12th, 2008

She’s not pregnant.
Winokur, who recently spoke to PEOPLE about her battle with cervical cancer, and her decision with Miller to have a surrogate carry their first child

jeanne lange May 12th, 2008

WHAT A DAY BRIGHTNER: I HAVE WATCHED HER FROM THE BEGINNING AND WOULD LIKE HER TO WIN THE COMPETITION BUT FELL KRISTY WILL. HOPE NOT
SHE HAS COME SUCH A LONG WAY AND ALWAYS WITH A SMILE GO MARISSA GO!!!!!

R. McFadden May 12th, 2008

Marissa is the best, and she’ll be a great mother

Susan May 12th, 2008

Tori,

If you read previous articles, you’ll find that it’s not her career that stopped her from having a baby, it’s the fact that she has no uterus as a result of cervical cancer in her 20s.

I do not understand why everyone assumes that infertility only happens to evil career women who put off having children for too long. I know entirely too many women who experienced infertility at supposedly prime child-bearing age.

Angie May 12th, 2008

I think what Tori means is that Marissa says she’s been wanting a baby so badly- yet she let DWTS take over her life and not allow time to shop for her baby. But I agree- people shouldn’t judge. I seriously doubt that she’s choosing DWTS over her baby… EVERY new mom gets overwhelmed by wondering “Do I have everything ready?” and it doesn’t mean that they’re choosing their careers over their family.

melissa May 12th, 2008

CONGRATS! TO MARISSA & JUDAH! I JUST LOVE HER,SHE IS A TRUE INSPIRATION! GOD BLESS!

R.J. May 12th, 2008

http://www.myohmycelebrity.blogspot.com
for my take on the latest gossip… and for other info, such as birthdays, and the new up and coming 90210 spin-off!

Keosha May 12th, 2008

Thanx RJ i’ll look that stufff up…NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

maggie May 12th, 2008

OMG! Did you not get tha part where it said she is having a surrogate carry their first child. She is not fat but she is also not a size two.

Mimmi May 12th, 2008

Because she’s not pregnant. OMG who would think she would do DWTS pregnant? She had cervical cancer (read the article again) and she’s having a surogate carry her child for her. Congrats to her and her husband!!!

tiffany p. May 12th, 2008

anne…
you didn’t *really* mean that comment “wow i didn’t even know she was pregnant”, DID you?

you’re messing with us, *right*??

no one is that dumb.

did you even READ the article?

Lisa May 12th, 2008

Anne - read the article you moron, she’s not pregnant

eightiesLover May 12th, 2008

Congrats…You will be a great mom!!!!

Mrs. Brace May 12th, 2008

Hey Anne - don’t you read? She had cervical cancer, this child comes through a surrogate. Which is to say - it’s still her baby!
She’ll be a very good Mom..but I wish she could chill a bit. Babies pick up on nerves….she needs to let that child feel her calm…

trinster May 12th, 2008

Anne - did you not read the article - she is NOT pregnant, she is having a baby through a surrogate.
It’s very obvious that this little spitfire is just full of love and waiting for her baby…Best of luck to her…and every mom to be freaks out so don’t sweat the small stuff honey.

Sodapop May 12th, 2008

I think this is the first time People magazine has featured the word “caterwaul.” Good luck to the Mom-to-Be!

Patty May 12th, 2008

Congrats to her and her husband!!! but she is to heavy to be on dancing with the stars..she is not that good!

Andy May 12th, 2008

To Anne:

Read the article about Marissa. I agree with the others, she will be a great mom.

Val May 12th, 2008

Anne … she’s not pregnant, she has a surrogate, it says it right there in the write up.
Congrats Marissa you will make a great Mom.

Ellie May 12th, 2008

I wish her the very best mommyhood has to offer and send ELV’s (Easy Labor Vibes) to her surrogate! Good luck and congrats to all of you! :)

Betsy May 12th, 2008

Now wait. Women, including me, have been having babies for centures without “baby planners.” What’s wrong with these people? It is easy to equip your house for a baby and child. Read a book if you don’t know what to buy. Or go to a store. They will help you out. These people act ridiculously ignorant and spoiled. Are they incapable of acting on their own, using their own intelligence and energy, without the help of the pseudo-professions of “planners?”

Frances May 12th, 2008

Best of luck Melissa…you’re so vibrant and happy,love your dancing and confidence in your healthy body..it shows you and husband will love that baby …you remind me of my sister who went thru the same but surrogate is not for her…it takes a special mother and carrier to become one and be able to make it thru the emotions of it….

Frances May 12th, 2008

Oh My gosh …who did I call u Melissa I dont know…other than that is my sister name….Sorry Marissa…:)

Emily May 12th, 2008

Congrats!!! Marissa I think you will be a awesome mom! Your so bubbly and happy!

P.S. Good Luck on Dancing with the Stars!♥

Ashley May 12th, 2008

Congrats!! You will be a great Mom!!

Lynn May 12th, 2008

What is a dog and baby buffet?

Mary May 12th, 2008

Betsy-

Women may have been having babies for centuries without “baby planners”, but until recent decades, they also stayed a home and didn’t have a career aside from being a housewife. This is not a matter of laziness, as you mention in your very judgmental comment, but a matter of time availability. Women are busier than ever these days, and when you have a rising career like that of Marissa’s, you don’t have a whole lot of time to prepare. It’s sometimes a lot easier to hire someone to help than to not keep your job commitments.

That said, I wish Marissa the best of luck as she ventures into motherhood.

Jethro the Pig Farmer May 12th, 2008

Yeee-haaawwwww! Here’s to the dancin’ fat chick! Sooooo-eeeeeeey! Slop them hogs.

Emma May 12th, 2008

I was just about to ask who would actually sleep with her when I read that the child is being carried by another woman. Does anyone else find her annoying and ugly? She needs to comb her hair in that photo and wear a support bra. And yes, this is coming from a plus sized (size 12) woman.

Karen May 12th, 2008

Anne, she’s not pregnant - they are having the baby via surrogate mother.

Congratulations! You’ll be a wonderful Mom!

S May 12th, 2008

Oh God, Someone introduce this women to a comb and detangler! Eeekk!

Nikky May 12th, 2008

Polka dots and fat girls really don’t mix well. I agree with Emma, who would sleep with her. But someone did to give her HPV for cervical cancer! This woman isn’t all that and a bag of chips (altough she ate a lot of them) because she should have used a condom.

anonymous May 12th, 2008

honey your never really prepared for a baby, but just love that little baby and give him/her lots of hugs and kisses because before you know it they are 3 and in preschool starting to be a big boy:)

Jonathan Bodack May 12th, 2008

I wish Marissa & her husband, Judah, all the best when their baby is born!

MOR18GAN May 12th, 2008

I AM REALLY HAPPY FOR HER…..BUT HER HUSBAND IS COMPLETELY UGLY.

Becky May 12th, 2008

Nicky, Emma, Jethro: Grow up. I would love to see how fat and diseased the three of you are, since you feel entitled to judge others.

Congrats, Marissa! You blew everyone away on Broadway and you’re going to be a fabulous mom.

Laura Nicoles May 12th, 2008

Anne … Did you read the article? A surrogagte is carrying the baby! Best of luck to you, Marissa!

R. McFadden May 12th, 2008

What a great country, where repellant shut-ins are free to voice their repugnant views on beauty, all the while taking cowardly pot shots at a cancer survivor, and a soon-to-be mother. I can only assume by your mean-spiritedness, that you’re all gorgeous models yourselves. Here’s an idea, step away from your computer, put your pants back on, and go outside. Don’t be afraid, that biright ball in the sky is called the “sun”.

Bacon&Sausage May 12th, 2008

Melissa you rock! We vote for you everytime you dance! We hope you make it till the end! Congradulations on your baby!

Marcy May 12th, 2008

Just get a cardboard box and line it with old newspapers. That worked well for my cat when she gave birth.

Mary May 12th, 2008

Melissa, you add such a ray of sunshine to DWTS’s! I look forward to watching you every week. You are an amazingly beautiful woman who is so truly talented. YOU ROCK! I can’t wait to see you win the trophy! You will be a fantastic mother, please don’t worry! You have an enormous fanbase…you ROCK!

Holly May 12th, 2008

ROFL … People need to learn to read the article before being actually posting.

Grats Marissa and I wish you much happiness.

Becky … I second that :)

Chaya May 12th, 2008

Mazal Tov!

georgia remington May 12th, 2008

You get so excited on DWTS, what will you do when the baby is born!! You are so much fun, your beautiful smile, and bubbly personality will definitely be an asset for motherhood. You will be a terrific Mom because it takes extreme determination, lots of energy, and laughter to get through some of the tough days raising a little one, and you certainly have shown millions of people you are blessed with all those qualities. KEEP YOUR POSITIVE ATTITUDE THROUGHOUT THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH. BEST OF LUCK!!!!

Lynn May 12th, 2008

The way she talked I thought she was pregnant and I felt kind of sorry for her,

Kim May 12th, 2008

Nikki- You need to google cervical cancer you moron…you can get it WITHOUT having HPV!!! And here’s a newsflash that’ll make your coochie wonder…80% of females have HPV and don’t know it or will ever know it…it’s called CARRIERS!!! E D U C A T E yourself before you open your damn mouth!!!

DJE May 13th, 2008

I am happy for her and her hubby! Some people that post mean things must lead a very pitifull life (Mor18gan). How sad that they feel the need to be negative about someone they know nothing about. Beauty comes from within, sorry your ‘ugly’ is shining through!

shorty May 13th, 2008

As one of many thousands of women who cannot have children, I say BRAVO to Marissa. She not only overcame cancer but found the COURAGE to have a beautiful soul carry her child for her. She is a beautiful, young woman who has so much laughter and joy and love to give to this child. God Bless her, her husband and the wonderful woman giving birth to this much wanted child.
To all of you nasty, horrible people who have said the worst possible things….may God have mercy on you and may you never experience the heartache of cancer or the heartbreak of seeing a child and knowing you can never carry your own.

shana May 13th, 2008

what a lucky child-=to have the saucy, lovely, witty and smiling mom with the dancing shoes
congatulations to all

Lyndsey May 13th, 2008

She has said numerous times she was doing DWTS to show people that you do not have to be a size “0″ to dance. GOOD FOR HER. I want her to win, but I have a feeling Kristi will and that is cool too. I like them both. I think she is going to make a wonderful mommy. Congratulations to them both.

Dottie May 13th, 2008

I was expecting my adopted daughter to arrive from India around Christmas. Mid-October I got a phone call. “Your baby is in the air!!!” Two months early!! I had all I needed except for diapers and a put-together crib. I sent my son racing to the neighbor’s house to see if he could put it together for me. He did, and the next morning my son and I flew to MN to pick her up at the airport!

Lorrie May 13th, 2008

Even if you don’t win on DWTS it will never compare to the joy you will have when you hold that baby in your arms. Congratulatinons and you will make a wonderful mom and this baby will bring much joy and happiness into your life for you both. You have been an inspiration to watch on DWTS and you made it a pleasure to watch each week. Good Luck to you.

Realist May 13th, 2008

What a little idiot. I’m sorry, but how is this article a GOOD report or reflection on this woman’s character? I don’t care who she is and I’m sympathetic to her battle with cervical cancer (as I am an oncology nurse) but what you people don’t understand is that this woman is just like everyone else in that she has a JOB. Who of us would admit to being irresponsibly unprepared for our child to enter the world because our JOB was too important and “took over”. I know I’m ranting but really people, it’s not like she couldn’t have hired someone to take care of the arrangements and she doesn’t even have to carry the thing. I really feel sorry for celebrity children because as with this woman’s offspring a great many of them are going to be raised by a nanny. I know exactly how that feels and being wealthy doesn’t make the fact that a parents job is more important than their child.
Bottom line: she is no better than any of us. If she is going to be irresponsible that’s her prerogative but I wouldn’t go bragging about it.

Sara May 13th, 2008

Patty,

you are an idiot! If she wasn’t good on DWTS she wouldn’t have made it this far and you don’t have to weigh a set amount to be on the show.

Sara May 13th, 2008

Realist,
You are an idiot too! Shut your mouth and get a life! Worry about yourself. If you ae an oncology nurse you would have compassion for others not a babbling jerk!

Sara May 13th, 2008

Congrats to Marissa and hubby, I don’t watch DWTS but everytime I see her in an interview I just can’t help but smile. And to everyone out there saying she is irresponsible for not having the nursery ready-think about this-She may not have wanted to start a nursery yet, it may have jinxed the surrogate or baby-I knew a woman who wanted until her surrogate was in labor before starting the nursery. Marissa may just allowed DWTS to take over and after a certain point said okay now is the time to start baby shopping. Mean People Suck

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