Tony Dovolani
Tony Dovolani is a professional ballroom dancer who can be seen this season on “Dancing with the Stars.” Tony appeared in the second season of the show with partner Stacy Keibler (they came in third place) and in the third season with country singer Sara Evans (Sara withdrew midseason because of her divorce). He appeared in the last season of “Dancing with the Stars” with talk show host Leeza Gibbons. They were the third couple eliminated. This season, his partner will be actress Jane Seymour.
Tony was born Driton Dovolani in Prishtina Kosova in 1973. He began folk dancing by the time he was three years old. His family moved to the United States when he was 15 years old and he was able to attend dance classes at a Fred Astaire Dance Academy.
He hass won many dance championships including: the 2005 Ohio Star Ball American Rhythm, the 2005 United States Open Rhythm (with Inna Ivanenko), the 2005 World Rhythm (with Inna Ivanenko), the 2006 PBS “America’s Ballroom Challenge” Rhythm, the 2006 Emerald Ball Open Professional American Rhythm, the 2006 United States Open Rhythm (with Elena Grinenko), and the 2006 World Rhythm (with Elena Grinenko). Elena Grinenko is currently his professional American rhythm dance partner.
Tony had a small role in the film Shall We Dance? in which he also coached Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere, and Stanley Tucci for their roles.
Tony has been in the news recently as Sara Evan’s soon to be ex husband, Craig Schelske, has accused her of having extra marital affairs with at least eleven different men, including Tony.
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