159 replies to this topic

[loveisthedrug]

From dancebirmingham.com:

Fabian Sanchez is a seasoned competitor of the professional ballroom world. He began dancing and competing in 1992, and quickly earned various national and world titles. Fabian's professional achievements include, United States Rising Star Champion, four-time Fred Astaire National Champion, and United States Open American Rhythm Finalist. Fabian also placed third in the World Mambo Championships. In addition to his prestigious competitive titles, Fabian is professional coach, acclaimed choreographer, and Fred Astaire Dance Studios National Dance Board member. His students have received regional and national first place titles and Top Female Student awards. Fabian and his wife, Jacqueline, are the owners of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Hoover, AL.

As for the thread title, if anyone has any other suggestions, by all means.

[EmbraceTheDark]

For whatever reason I was prepared not to like him, but I have to say I really enjoyed his vibe with Marlee in that Access Hollywood interview. He was absolutely hilarious, teasing Marlee about the Oscar yet refreshingly humble about his accomplishments, and his whole interaction with Marlee was enjoyable to watch. He seems like an absolute blast to be around

Hopefully, his choreography for Marlee is on point, and this pairing doesn't disappoint.

Edited by EmbraceTheDark, Mar 1, 2008 @ 3:36 PM.

[Keona]

I'm really looking forward to seeing him on the show this season too. He came off charming and funny in that Acesss Hollywood video. He seems to have a great personality as was so humble. I think Marlee may surprise some people and I'm so anxious to see his choreography.

[WaltzinSpringTm]

He comes off not just charming but as somebody with the ability to put others at ease very fast. He doesn't have much of a divo energy and seems very down to earth and good company.

[ByTheWay]

Some background on Fabian in this article.

Sanchez was Hundley’s dance instructor and sometimes partner. They have won regional titles in the senior division of pro/am competitions.

Fabian's experience with training for pro/am competitions makes him a very good match for Marlee and takes the pressure off of Jonathan as the go-to man for celebrities who need special attention (Heather Mills, Marie Osmond - I'm not putting Marlee in that category by any means :o)).

[harvestbasket]

ABC posted bios of the pros on the DWTS website. Granted, the information itself seems similar to last season. I did look up Fabian's bio. It says for style: American Rhythm, Smooth, Standard, Latin, and Rhythm. I assumed he wasa Rhythm dancer like Tony. Given his teaching background and his accomplishments (and sense of humor), I think he is a great addition. I know it was mentioned on other threads wanting more pros stronger or more balanced in dance styles. I was pleased to see this and another reason to like him.

Edited by harvestbasket, Mar 12, 2008 @ 3:47 PM.

[imhere2]

He's a rythm dancer, but he teaches a bit of everything.

[loveisthedrug]

Given his teaching background and his accomplishments (and sense of humor), I think he is a great addition.

I agree. Based on the interviews I have seen of him, he seems to have a delightful personality and I can't wait to see him dancing with the other pros. Almost makes me want to say, "Maks who?"

[Keona]

Fabian, Marlee step to the beat

Great article about Fabian, I'm excited to see his choreography.

[O2Sean]

He came out on national TV tonight...possibly in more ways than one.

With some of the 'big' faces he was making in his intro I thought he might be too hammy. He still looks at the camera too much, but this is his first week, he deserves some slack.

He seems like a good choreographer and a good guy.

[Mnemosyne78]

At first it was driving me nutz because he resembled someone and I couldn't quite put my finger on who it was. My first thought was that he looked like Maurice Bernard who plays Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital and instantly my impression of dude was that he was smarmy, because Sonny is smarmy. Then he turned his head at a certain angle and it hit me. He looks like a Latino Parker Lewis (Corin Nemeck?). And I had a middle school girl crush on Parker Lewis. So Fabian is aces with me now. :)

[msrayrudd]

I like him a lot. I have no problem with this guy sticking around. Plus he seems to have a great realtionship with Marlee already. I have a feeling they are going to get pretty far this season, if not to the finals.

[harvestbasket]

Fabian is a nice addition to the show this season. He has a great relationship with Marlee and yes, he does look like Parker Lewis.

[mellotune]

Upon rewatching their dance, I was touched by the connection between Fabian and Marlee. Someone had mentioned Fabian touching Marlee's head and it seems to be a cue to let her know where they are in the music. Fabian seems to be the perfect pro to partner Marlee. Much has been said about giving her a "sexier" pro but Fabian is exactly the right one for Marlee.

[squeebunk]

At first it was driving me nutz because he resembled someone and I couldn't quite put my finger on who it was.

I had visions of Lou Diamond Philips. :)

[loveisthedrug]

Fabian seems to be the perfect pro to partner Marlee. Much has been said about giving her a "sexier" pro but Fabian is exactly the right one for Marlee.

ITA. He has a warmth about him that is wonderful to see in his interaction with Marlee. And based on interviews and other behind the scenes stuff, he has a great sense of humor and seems to be well-liked by all the other pros. I hope he gets to show his stuff during some of the pro dances this season.

(He totally looks like Lou Diamond Phillips. La Bamba!)

[rulesoftravel]

I've been re-watching all the dances on ABC.com and on a computer screen (sitting pretty close) you can really see the care that Fabian is taking w/ Marlee in the dance. He keeps her on beat, on count and he truly is her music. I think they're a great team. He's pretty damn easy to look at too.

I wonder if his wife will ever dance on the show.

Edited by rulesoftravel, Mar 20, 2008 @ 1:04 AM.

[TryingHarder]

I've been re-watching all the dances on ABC.com and on a computer screen (sitting pretty close) you can really see the care that Fabian is taking w/ Marlee in the dance. He keeps her on beat

I agree, his job is going to be much tougher than the other male pros.

On one of the backstage clips, ET, Insider, one of those, they showed Marlee's hearing aid that she wore during their dance. I hope that makes things easier for Fabian to teach her.

Edited by TryingHarder, Mar 20, 2008 @ 3:57 AM.

[Keona]

I like this guy, and I think he's been a great addition to the show. I like the partnership he has with Marlee, she seems to adore him. He does look a lot like Lou Diamond Phillips, and sometimes he looks like Oscar Del La Hoya.

[Kulfi]

(He totally looks like Lou Diamond Phillips. La Bamba!)

That's it! THANK you! That was gonna bug me...

I like him, too. I think he and Marlee get along really well and have fun. She is very complimentary towards him and he is very supportive of her. I like that their routine had moments where she couldn't possibly see him, and yet she still kept time. It was a simple, yet really cool way to showcase her overcoming the deafness factor.

[Double Delight]

I still can't quite name who Fabian reminds me of, but if you combined features of all those men previously suggested would be spot on.

Anyway, I like him a lot and wasn't expecting too. Just not a fan of the hammy faces, but his charm and warmth surprised me. Like already said, he is the perfect partner for Marlee and if that Cha Cha is the standard for future dances, then I'll be clogging up the phone lines for 'em.

[O2Sean]

Marlee and Fabian interview with Ellen.

They must have been so happy to hear real music. That moment where they kept on dancing was hilarious. That's also a whole lotta hip action for daytime TV.

They have a great relationship. He says he decided to just treat her like any other woman, and then she mock-offendedly says he sees her as just another woman.

[LReeses]

Are they jive-ing this week? Because that's a dance I think would be problematic.

[stuckintraffic]

He's doing a wonderful job with Marlee. They appear so well-matched! I was originally miffed that they didn't bring back Alec or even Nick to teach her, but now I see the wisdom of pairing her with Fabian. To me, they each seem a little kooky and delightfully off-center. They have the same energy level and outgoing personalities. But one thing I wonder: how old is he? Because I have no clue. I'm thinking 40, which would make him the oldest pro, but does anyone know for sure??? Not that it matters!

[Niuxita]

According to one of the ET/Access Hollywood (can't remember exactly which) clips from before the premiere, he's 36.

[SnarkMeister]

There's something about Fabian that I really like. He's a hoot with Marlee and I hope they do well in the competition this year.

[O2Sean]

I love Fabian's chemistry with Marlee, that great friendship, goofy vibe. He has so much fun in a genre where many take themselves too seriously. He's a great addition to the show, and I like that he doesn't seem to fall into one of the "camps" that seem to have sprung up in recent seasons. I hope he and Marlee will stay around a long time.

[tip and fall]

Fabian is quickly becoming one of my favorite pros. I love his goofy sense of humor.

One nitpick, though -- sometimes it looks like he's wearing some weird pink-ish shade of lipstick. I don't know if it's just the glare of the spotlight or what, but it's really distracting.

[harvestbasket]

I am liking Fabian a lot too. He is quickly moving up my pro fave list. It is not just because he reminds me of Lou Diamond Philips. I like his sense of humor and love his relationship with Marlee. I wish he would challenge her more because I think Marlee is capable of more. But I trust his teaching skills. I was neutral to positive about Alec, but do not miss him with Fabian's addition.

[loveisthedrug]

I really hope we get to see him in a pro dance sometime soon (besides the opening number from night 1) because I'm dying to see what he can really do when he dances with other professionals. Here's hoping we get a hot mambo.

Edited by loveisthedrug, Apr 1, 2008 @ 10:45 AM.