Q&A With ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Co-Producer Deena Katz
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Tha cast for season 21 of "Dancing with the Stars," kicking off tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. (Photos courtesy of ABC/Dancing with the Stars unless noted)
Deena Katz is known for her work on “Dancing with the Stars,” “Real Time with Bill Maher” and “Big Brother.” She is the co-executive producer of “Dancing with the Stars” and recently casted Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza as part of the season 21 cast.
Photo courtesy Deena Katz
Name: Deena Katz
What I do for a living: Co-executive producer of “Dancing with the Stars.” I have cast the entire show since day one.
My favorite racetrack: Del Mar
Other sports/teams I follow: Clippers through and through. For 30 years!
What I would like to see more of in Thoroughbred racing: I love seeing maiden races. Guess I like cheering on underdogs and knowing someone who has never won before finally will win!
Three words that define what Thoroughbred racing means to me: Beauty, cpeed, excitement.
First Thoroughbred track I ever attended was: Hollywood Park
Favorite all-time Thoroughbred: Seabiscuit
My personal best moment in the sport of Thoroughbred racing: Spending Father’s Day at Hollywood Park with my dad.
My favorite jockey: Victor Espinoza!!
My heroes: My mom and dad
Person in Thoroughbred racing I’d like to have dinner with: Alain Wertheimer. Maybe I could get a lovely Chanel purse while we were enjoying dinner!!
My philosophy on life: Live for today.
Favorite quote or motto: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried something new” -Albert Einstein
Favorite animal other than a horse: My dog Coco
Favorite non-Thoroughbred racing sports event I have attended: Pro basketball
Favorite food: Lobster
Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii
Favorite city: Paris
Favorite Musician/band: Kenny Loggins
Favorite all-time movie(s): “An Affair to Remember”
Favorite TV Show: “Dancing with the Stars”!!!
Favorite hotel: Hotel Hermitage Monte Carlo
Websites I visit daily: People.com, Deadline Hollywood and Yahoo News
What I drive: Mercedes
Pet Peeve: Chewing gum while on the phone.
Favorite movie about horse racing: “Dreamer,” “Seabiscuit” and “Secretariat”
Alma Mater: UCLA
Favorite Radio shows/channels: "The Bridge" on Sirius radio
Favorite Memento: The Daytime Emmy my mom won. She passed away and this was one of her proudest moments!
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Soufflé
Favorite Drink: Champagne
Favorite Scent: Opium
What I like about my job: The thrill of watching all these celebrities take an amazing journey together
Favorite Tech gadget: My iPad. I play words with friends with my sisters and brother in law on it.
Twitter Handle: Not on Twitter!
No. 1 Bucket List Item: To rent a yacht in the Greek islands!