It’s not every day you see a 6-foot-10 tall former NBA star twirling across a ballroom floor with ease, but Dwight Howard is making it look effortless. Partnered with Daniella Karagach, who stands a full foot and a half shorter at 5-foot-3, the pair didn’t let their height difference stand in the way of a standout performance. Despite facing the challenge of such a gap, their debut routine left audiences cheering, earning them the second-highest score of the night. But what’s the secret to this perfect chemistry?

Tuesday night’s performance turned heads as Howard and Karagach took on the salsa to Montell Jordan’s This Is How We Do It. Howard, known for his dominance on the basketball court, surprised both the judges and the public with his agility and natural rhythm. The 8x NBA All-Star brought high energy and confidence, leading to an impressive overall score of 22. The judges weren’t the only ones who noticed—fans were equally taken with his smooth moves and remarkable coordination.

When asked about their seamless connection on the dance floor, Howard revealed it wasn’t just about having fun—though that plays a big part. “Hard work, intensity, but also fun, but enjoying this whole journey,” he shared after the show. The secret? Daily practice. “She gives me homework. I do my homework,” Howard added in the interview.

As for motivation, Howard didn’t hesitate to mention the importance of fan support. “Hey, fans, vote for us. That’s how I’m motivated. We need your votes, we need your love,” he said in a heartfelt appeal. And what about that height difference?

While many might assume it would be a hurdle, Howard and Karagach seem to have mastered it with ease. Could there be another secret behind their ability to work through this challenge?

Dwight Howard and Daniella’s secret for height

When it comes to handling taller partners, Daniella Karagach is no stranger to the challenge. After all, she won Dancing With the Stars Season 30 with 6-foot-5 NBA player Iman Shumpert. But now, she’s taking on an even bigger task with Dwight Howard, who towers at 6-foot-10. Showrunner Conrad Green has full confidence in this duo, though.

“Obviously, that’s not an advantage in this show, but he’s very well proportioned and still very athletic,” Green shared. “You couldn’t pick someone better than Dani to work with someone tall.” So, what’s their secret? Daniella keeps it simple.

“We just go with the flow. It either works or it doesn’t, and if it doesn’t work, we change it,” she said. In fact, their chemistry is so solid, it’s led Daniella to completely rethink their routines. After starting rehearsals with a plan in mind, she quickly realized the choreography needed a major overhaul. “He was so tall, I couldn’t get around him… I had to change up pretty much everything,” she revealed after their first practice session.

Despite these adjustments, however, Daniella and Dwight seem to be syncing up just fine. With their first performance already wowing the judges, it’s clear this duo is ready to keep impressing—regardless of how high the bar might be set.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.