AceShowbiz - Priscilla Presley, the iconic actress and former Dancing With the Stars contestant, recently opened up about her experience on the 2008 season 6 of the popular dance competition. During a speaking engagement on Saturday, May 2, in Las Vegas, she candidly admitted that she was eager to leave the show due to tension with her professional dance partner, Louis van Amstel.

Presley, now 80, revealed that she was “so nervous” throughout the competition because van Amstel was involved in a new romantic relationship at the time, which she felt affected their rehearsal and performance schedule. “He was in a new relationship, and he wanted to get back home early,” Presley said. “He had a date, and he wanted to get this and that, and I was a little bit frustrated because he put that before us. I felt we could have done a lot better.”

Despite these challenges, Presley expressed a strong desire to give her best on the dance floor. She explained that unlike other contestants who rehearsed for six hours daily, she and van Amstel only practiced about three hours a day. “I like challenges,” she said. “I didn’t know how to dance that well. I mean, I did like dancing, but I thought, 'You know what, I’m gonna go in for it and do it, and I think it’ll be fun.' Yeah, still nerve-wracking.”

The pair ultimately placed eighth in that season of Dancing With the Stars. However, Presley’s recollections suggest that the partnership was strained by van Amstel’s personal life distractions. Van Amstel, who married his husband Joshua Lancaster in 2017 after eight years together, has not publicly responded to Presley’s comments. Us Weekly reached out to him for comment but has yet to receive a response.

Louis van Amstel was one of the original professional dancers on DWTS, having joined the show in its inaugural season 20 years ago. He stepped away from the series for good after season 31 in 2022 but returned last fall for a special routine during the show’s 20th anniversary episode. Reflecting on his long tenure, van Amstel said, “There was no hesitation participating - same as 20 years ago when I got the call. Without hesitation, I said, ‘Yes, I’m interested.’ And that’s how I became the first pro to join Dancing With the Stars season 1.”

Van Amstel has spoken warmly about his experience working with [strong]Priscilla Presley[/strong] despite the challenges. He described her as “an amazing woman” and noted that he still keeps in touch with her, saying, “We always have dinner when I come to Los Angeles, and what a quality woman she is.”

However, van Amstel admitted that Presley’s season was not his favorite on the show. Instead, he named season 9 with Kelly Osbourne as his most memorable experience. “That was a journey for the books,” he reflected. “That not only affected her, but it also affected me profoundly. It affected so many people who watch the show. Her weight loss was secondary, but seeing her blossom from the ground up to a princess. I just love her and her family so much.”

Outside of DWTS, Priscilla Presley is well known for her former marriage to Elvis Presley, a relationship that lasted six years but left a lasting connection. In an interview with the Daily Mail in March 2022, she reflected on their early challenges and the unique nature of their bond, acknowledging the hardships she saw from a young age when she entered the relationship.

Despite the ups and downs of her Dancing With the Stars season, Presley embraced the challenge and appreciated the experience. Her straightforward remarks during the Las Vegas event shed light on the realities behind the scenes of the competition, highlighting how personal dynamics can impact even high-profile partnerships.

Meanwhile, van Amstel’s career continues to be closely associated with DWTS, where he remains a respected figure. His return for the 20th anniversary special underscored his ongoing connection to the show that launched his professional dance career two decades ago.

As for [strong]Priscilla Presley[/strong], she continues to share stories from her storied life and career, engaging audiences with her candidness and warmth. Her reflections on DWTS add a new dimension to the public’s understanding of the show’s behind-the-scenes environment, especially during its earlier seasons.

Both Presley and van Amstel’s experiences highlight the complexities of competing in a high-pressure televised dance contest, where personal relationships and professional ambitions must often coexist. Their story remains a fascinating chapter in the history of Dancing With the Stars.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Us Weekly.