Carlos PenaVega reveals on 'Dancing with the Stars' that he hit rock bottom, found God
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DANCING WITH THE STARS - âEpisode 2102â - The couples geared up for one of the toughest weeks of the competition this season with two live shows and a double elimination. In "Hometown Glory" night, each couple danced two new dance styles to songs that reminded the celebrity and pro dancer of the places that shaped who they are today. At the end of the night, the couple with the lowest combined judges and viewer votes from last week was eliminated, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Adam Taylor)WITNEY CARSON, CARLOS PENAVEGA (© 2015 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.)
In an emotional night for all “Dancing with the Stars,” singer and actor Carlos PenaVega revealed that after making it big with Big Time Rush, he spiraled out of control.
Monday night’s episode of the ABC hit dancing show focused on the stars’ more memorable year. The 26-year-old chose 2012, which marked the peak success for his band.
“Tour life is a lot of fun,” PenaVega said in a pre-recorded interview on Monday. “There is a lot of partying. You get this rush of going on stage (but) when you get home, it’s just you.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He revealed feeling very alone after returning from tour. So much so, that he closed himself off from a lot of people and started smoking marijuana “like every day.”
“I was like ‘I don’t want to talk to anybody. I don’t want to see anybody,’” PenaVega continued. “I really hit rock bottom.”
That all changed when he called his friend Andrew Mortaza and asked if he wanted to go to church.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“I walk into church and I know that I was supposed to be there,” PenaVega said. “From that Sunday to the next Sunday, my life changed forever. On that Thursday, I was invited to a Bible study and at that Bible study, I met my wife (actress Alexa PenaVega).”
A crying PenaVega added: “It’s so crazy to me that in one week, my life changed forever.”
The emotion from that week and what it meant to PenaVega was put into a Viennese Waltz to “Amazing Grace.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He said he chose the gospel song because it was the first one he heard in church after the pivotal day three years ago.
The judges praised the actor for his connection to the dance and the story. Though, in terms of his dancing, PenaVega was told to work on his frame.
“The conviction in your performance was the best you’ve ever given,” judge Bruno Tonioli said, adding that it was mesmerizing.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Carrie Ann Inaba, who criticized PenaVega last week for not improving his dance, said dance is an expression of what you are feeling that he danced from his soul.
“That was mindblowing,” she said.
After the dance, PenaVega said it was amazing and very nerve-racking to show his vulnerable side.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“This story, not many people know that side of me,” he said. “I’m relieved. That’s who I am. That’s me.”