'DWTS' Pro Peta Murgatroyd Opens Up About Partner Lamar Odom's Memory Loss After 2015 Overdose

After a two-year hiatus,Peta Murgatroydis back onDancing with the Stars— and is partnered with former NBA star (and the tallest guy in the ballroom)Lamar Odom. Here, Peta details their journey thus far – the challenges, the laughs they share, and what it’s going to take to win!

The salsa I choreographed was very simple, mainly so I knew he could master it. Throughout the week while we rehearse, he can sometimes forget everything in one day and I will reteach it to him over and over again. Sometimes he will only forget sections but other parts he will nail. It all depends. It’s a good thing that I’m patient, and that he’s a sweet and kind man. 🙂

Yesterday, throughout the day, he asked me over and over again what comes next. We had practiced the dance for five days, and I’ve never experienced this before. It’s like I’ve never showed him the steps. I’m used to it now though and we joke about it and have a laugh 🙂

Lamar Odom and Peta Murgatroyd.ABC

It makes it nerve-racking for me but I can’t imagine what it feels like for him. Right before we went live, he asked what comes next after the shimmy and I couldn’t talk to him because I was waiting for the cue in the music to go! During the dances, I have to speak the steps to him about 2 beats before they are supposed to happen. I do this while I am performing my steps and smiling to the camera to complete the performance. It’s difficult but I know that Lamar wants this so bad!

Peta Murgatroyd and Lamar Odom.ABC

He did his very best, and I’m super proud of him. I talked him through his entire dance, as you could see, and he finished with a smile. He was disappointed again, but I made sure I picked him up and comforted him. People like Lamar deserve to be on this show. They deserve a second chance and they deserve to be shown praise and love! This is what our show is all about, the journey! And he was definitely better than last week! Go Lamar!

Dancing with the Starsairs Mondays (8 p.m. ET) on ABC.

source: people.com