With a dazzling display of rhythm and surreal transformation, Steven Michaels—”Olympic Steven” to fans—has stormed the reality-show world by magnificently turning a meme into a mesmerizing ballroom experience. In an unforgettable moment that could only be described as Clark Kent morphing into Superman, “Olympic Steven” dazzled audiences on the hit show “Dancing With the Stars,” leaving both fans and judges awestruck by his charm, emotional storytelling, … and a few tricks of the trade from the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Everything started with a meme. An image that was seemingly harmless, coming from the “Olympic Days” for Michaels when he had taken off his glasses and turned from mild-mannered to fierce medal-winning competitor—one of the favorite “moments” from the Olympics for fans around the world. This image has been turned into a meme, which now appears to be winning a contest for “most emotional and creative Dance Moment of the Year,” with a lot of us thinking that this ballroom version of the meme deserves to win.
An even more moving tale plays out behind the sparkling lights of the ballroom. Michaels’ path has become a lighthouse for many, especially for kids with vision problems who look to him as a boundary-breaking, odds-defying superhero. Inspiration comes in from all over. One parent from a distance told of a child who now has the courage to say he wants to be the next Superman, all because he saw Michaels on stage. That child has a condition that makes him see the world differently but now believes in a future where he has the powers to change the world for the better.
Every stunning performance has a backstage story of hard work and dedication that makes it even more extraordinary. “It was chaos,” Michaels divulged with a laugh, describing the meticulous coordination required for even half of the on-stage transformations between his two characters. And though appearing to change into another costume on-stage is defying the laws of physics, it is a bit too chaotic for my tastes, so credit is given where credit is due. Michaels pulled off the magic with the help of the incredible A.B. Hunsaker.
The competitive nature of “Dancing With the Stars” makes saying goodbye a regular occurrence. This week, Tori and Anna left the show, and for my part, I really hope they didn’t take the trash talk about their dancing skills too seriously. Anna’s husband, Evan Lysacek, who is one of the greatest male freestyle skaters of all time, didn’t seem to enjoy being part of the drudgery of doing the dishes after the bedroom had been thoroughly vacuumed and the laundry folded. In any case, it made for an emotionally charged moment as Michaels said farewell. His voice held as much sadness as it did admiration for the both of them.
A twist that was both delightful and surprising for Michaels was sharing the stage with the enigmatic Anadelie. For this once awestruck fan, who was a regular binger of Amandalee’s Netflix series, meeting her in person was nothing short of surreal. Any notions of mystery associated with Amandalee and her character were promptly dispelled. She was warm, friendly, and totally committed to what she and Michaels had been doing on that stage together, even if she had to leave the gig early. “She really gave it her all, and I’m truly bummed that she had to leave when she did,” Michaels said…
As the competition stiffens and the stakes intensify, all attention is focused on Steven Michaels. His remarkable ability to capture the essence of true transformation—what it means to truly inspire—sets him on a solitary path in this journey of rhythm and soul. The original meme may have been the spark that lit this fire, but Michaels’ heart, talent, and sincere connection with his fans are what make him a real-life superhero in the eyes of many. In the multicolored world of celebrity spectacle, one thing is for sure—Steven “Superman” Michaels is himself a force of nature, one electrifying dance step at a time.
