Celebrity News September 30, 2021
Cody Rigsby Has COVID-19, Addresses What Comes Next on 'DWTS'
Saying he has "some news that I don't wanna be sharing with you," Cody Rigsby told fans in an Instagram video on Thursday that he has COVID-19... again.
Days after his pro dancer partner Cheryl Burke tested positive, Rigsby is dealing with what he says is his second bout of COVID in 2021.
The good news is he feels much better than the last time he had it, which he credits to being vaccinated. "I, right now, have really mild symptoms — congestion, little bit of a headache, cough. But in comparison to when I had COVID earlier this year, it is night and day, so that must be the vaccine and the antibodies working, so we're super grateful for that."
But will he compete on "Dancing with the Stars" again?
Rigsby candidly told followers, "As far as my fate on 'Dancing with the Stars,' we are still trying to figure that out right now, so please be patient with that answer."
He closed his upbeat video by saying, "I know what you're thinking: 'Cody, you look so good for having COVID,'" explaining, "That's because I took a shower and did my hair 'cause ain't no way you're plastering this video all over the Internet and I'm gonna look a busted mess." He also said he was going to enjoy some yummy foods since he has yet to lose his sense of taste, a common COVID symptom.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Burke, who is fully vaccinated, tearfully took to social media on Sunday to announce her COVID results. Rigsby was asked to isolate, too, so they were unable to compete in person during the show. Instead, Cheryl and Cody’s rehearsal footage was used, and they ended up scoring 24 out of 40 on their salsa.
“Extra” spoke to the pair after the show from their respective quarantines.
Cheryl gave a health update, saying she feels “so normal it is weird,” adding, “I was so congested yesterday, I felt so crappy yesterday… Thank God I'm fully vaccinated.”
As for her husband, Matthew Lawrence, she shared, “We are basically like roommates — he’s sleeping in the master and I got the rest of the house.”
Cody shared his initial reaction to hearing Burke had tested positive, saying, “First and foremost, I wanted Cheryl to be okay and I wanted to tell her, ‘How are you doing? I am sorry you are dealing with this and no matter what we'll get through this.’”
The Peloton instructor went on, “I wasn’t sure, ‘Am I going to get eliminated if Cheryl can’t dance? What are the options?’”
Cody, who battled COVID himself months ago, said, “I thought I was going to dance with a sub at first… Then those people that know COVID more gave their guidance and said that's not an option, so what was an option… they had the rehearsal footage, and that’s what we got. It was a fine representation, [but] it wasn’t the best representation.”
As far as the rest of the season goes, Cheryl said, “We're just taking it day by day… I'm definitely quarantined for sure.”
Cody had been set to hit the dance floor this week, but he said, “Nothing has been officially announced… We’re still weighing those options… Obviously, Cheryl will be with me every step of the way.” When it comes to a possible pro dancer substitute, Cody said, “No one has been definitively chosen as of yet.”
Cheryl joked, “I'm going to be the dance mom that nobody wants around… I’m just gonna be Zooming in at random moments and start yelling at people.”
Cody teased his upcoming performance, which looks like it won't happen, saying, “I’m dancing to my favorite Britney Spears song of all time.”
Watch “Dancing with the Stars” Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.