Daniel beat out most of his hearing competition, finishing in fifth place with his professional partner Britt Stewart, who he credits for their success. “It made my night,” he says of receiving a score of 29. “Especially from Len Goodman, who is tough. I’m really happy about that and I’m super proud because we worked hard for this. It was a tough week. Britt taught me through it again. Jive is not easy, it’s so fast and the footwork is so intricate. I struggled with it for a while. I’m proud that we figured it out and we did it tonight so I can relax.” But even more so, Daniel was proud of having both his moms—Lori Durant and Mary Engels—featured on the show. “Looking on Instagram, I saw so many people excited about my moms being here and I’m happy I had the opportunity,” he said. “I’m proud I was raised by them because I wouldn’t be here without them. Both of my mother’s, they’re really great people.” As part of Daniel’s package, we got to watch as Daniel’s moms learned to dance with him and Britt. “It shows how fun my mom’s are,” he said. “They’re good, strong women. They raised me very well and they’ve given me my first language. They gave me ASL and that makes me who I am, so that’s why I’m here, because of them.” Daniel was also excited to have his CODA co-stars Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur in the ballroom cheering him on. Marlee, of course, competed in season 6 of DWTS, placing seventh in her season. “I’m so lucky to have these kinds of people in my life,” Daniel continued. They’re friends from CODA. If you’ve seen CODA, you see the family connection and the chemistry, but honestly, it’s real. To this day inside, we still feel like the Rossi family.” What especially made Daniel happy was to see Troy, who he looks to as a father figure, never having had a father or a male role model in his life. “He calls me his son and I call him my father and he gives me advice and he cares about me,” Daniel added. “And then Marlee Matlin. Of course, you guys know Marlee. She’s such a strong woman. She’s so sweet and friendly and really, I’m so happy. It means the world to me to have both of them here tonight.” Daniel is also proud that he is following in Marlee and Troy’s footsteps and becoming an inspiration for the deaf community and for disabled people in general “I work with deaf children in schools and many deaf children look up to me and they’re watching Dancing with the Stars now,” he said. “I’m becoming successful, and whether it’s the music or whatever, I still make it happen. So, I hope to inspire them. I know no matter what they want to do in the future or whatever their dream is, I want them to chase it. So, I’m always going to try my best to support them and show them that. And not only here. Outside of here, too.” Dancing with the Stars will return next Monday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Disney+ when the theme will be “60 Years of James Bond.” Next, The Competition Is On! Louis van Amstel on the Returning Pros Getting Ready to Trash Talk Their Dancing with the Stars Arch Nemesis!
