Sean Spicer's 'Dancing with the Stars' debut was nothing like you'd expect

If you're used to Sean Spicer in a suit and tie, bumbling behind a White House microphone, then that's definitely not what you got on the Season 28 premiere of Dancing With the Stars Monday night. Instead, you got something bright. Really bright. Like, close your eyes and you can still see it, bright.Donald Trump's former press secretary got paired with Lindsay Arnold, the Season 25 champion, who admitted in a video shown before their performance that his dance skill level is "pre-preschool," so take from that as you will. His tight white pants and neon green shirt took on a life of their own as Sean shimmied to "Spice Up Your Life" (because, of course) and despite the "divisive" decision to book Spicer on the show, he danced onward. Spicer started behind a pair of bongo drums (hey, it's better than that infamous podium), and while he looked like he was having a blast, he is by no means a natural.Judge Bruno Tonioli described their dance as "strangely entertaining" and even praised Spicer's awkward moves. "I'm going to give you best fluorescent shimmy of the night. I like your sense of fun." But even Sean knew his skills were lacking, admitting he "started off at a minus 10." Sean and Lindsay earned a 12 out of 30, the second-lowest score, but don't be surprised if he sticks around because we all know how America can surprise us with their votes.And because the Internet loves to weigh in on anything and everything, the former White House Communications Director's moves, costume and general presence on a show with the word "Stars" in the title was trending almost immediately after his performance. It's also probably the first time in years DWTS was leading online conversation, so that's something.

This is what life is now. #DWTS @seanspicer pic.twitter.com/heFCEwfjfT

— Matt Wilstein (@mattwilstein) September 17, 2019

if sean spicer gotta be on #dwts at least the costume designers are fighting back pic.twitter.com/fRYI4pWpRs

— kristin abrams (@kristinadele) September 17, 2019

I can't wait until @MelissaMcCarthy wins an Emmy for her #SNL performance of @seanspicer on #DWTS! pic.twitter.com/AgIXNQrgwv

— Bonnie Burton (@bonniegrrl) September 17, 2019

Sean Spicer should have gone to prison for helping Donald Trump obstruct justice, but I'll accept the punishment of whatever the hell that outfit was that Spicer had to wear tonight on Dancing With the Stars.

— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) September 17, 2019

We can’t wait to see how flexible Sean Spicer is on Dancing with the Stars since he had his spine removed years ago. #DWTS

— Full Frontal (@FullFrontalSamB) September 17, 2019

And Spicer himself weighed in on his wild look and dances moves: "I don't think I've ever done lime green, I don't think I've ever had an open chest in my life," he said. "So between the song, [playing] the bongos, the shirt ... this was a combination of things, I never thought were possible in my world. Ever. It was a very slow evolution to come to terms with." But he did add that he's "so honoured" to be a part of it all.Queer Eye star Karamo Brown—who also danced a salsa with partner Jenna Johnson and earned a 17 out of 30—got a lot of heat before the season even started, after he referred to Spicer as a good guy, a really sweet guy." But the reality star clarified to Us Weekly that they only met that one day and "one day turned into something bigger" as he tries "to push forward, believing in [himself] and believing in the beauty of humanity."

 

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Sailor Breezes In to Save the Day! Hey My Friends! So here’s the news. I just broke my arm into a 1000 pieces requiring surgery with a metal plate and screws to hold my arm together..Im so sorry if I’ve disappointed anybody! Only something as bad as this could stop me from continuing to dance with my wonderful coach for @dancingabc ...I was having a blast!!!! Shattering my arm was quite literally a crushing disappointment, i never ever want to let anyone down...so I looked for a silver lining and i think I found one that is is solid gold! Sailor! But first I would have to convince Sailor to replace me..she was already on the plane to come sit in the audience when I reached her! (Alexa has commitments in NY including her upcoming Cabaret Show at the @cafecarlyle ) I also had to convince my student/ @imgmodels Sailor to overcome serious stage fright to replace me on the show! Sailor always meets her challenges head on and realized she did not want to be defined by her fears so with just hours to learn my routine she is turning my defeat or should i say two left feat into her own victory of courage! So Ladies and Gents I give you my beautiful Sunflower Sailor Lee. And i think you are all going to have a blast together on this season of @dancingabc ! Sorry for the typos it’s my right arm! And Sailor Thank you for taking a very disappointing turn of events into something very special! you know Showbiz is all about getting a break and I guess you can say Sailor and I both got one on this season of @dancingabc #family #familyfirst #challenge #doitforlove #fearless #brave #dare #justtry #silverlining #dauntless #dance #lemonaid #gowiththeflow #carpediem #seizetheday #formom #TeamSailaV #c’est la vie! #teambrinkley

A post shared by Christie Brinkley (@christiebrinkley) on Sep 16, 2019 at 7:45am PDT

In other DWTS news, Christie Brinkley's daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, replaced her mom after the supermodel injured herself and required surgery. Of course she fit in her mom's gown and in two days, managed to bust out a decent foxtrot, earning her and partner Val Chmerkovskiy an 18 out of 30.But the show saved the best for last—literally. James Van Der Beek said he missed being in front of an audience and proved it with his sexy tango with Emma Slater. The highest scores of the night (21 out of 30) went to Dawson, whom the judges called the "leading man in the house."