'Dancing With The Stars' Pro Louis Van Amstel Documents His Week With Paula Deen

The dancing star documented his week, complete with photos and video.

ByABC News
October 5, 2015, 2:49 PM

— -- Louis Van Amstel has a packed schedule.

From training with Paula Deen for this season of "Dancing With The Stars" to teaching his workout regimen, LaBlast, Van Amstel is almost always on the go -- but he still found time to document his week for ABC News.

For photos with Deen to his life on the road, follow along, below.

Once we finish the live show on Monday evening we do the press line with many media outlets, such as "Extra," "Entertainment Tonight" and others. It takes about an hour. Well, with Paula Deen as partner, it is an hour. Others are done in 30 minutes!

PHOTO:Louis Van Amstel gives ABC News a behind-the-scenes look at his week.
Louis Van Amstel gives ABC News a behind-the-scenes look at his week.

No one likes to eat during the afternoon or during the live show, but right after the show I’m always starving. Thank goodness where we tape the show is next to the Grove where there are many restaurants in walking distance.

A new week starts on Tuesday and it’s the first day we teach our celebs the moves of the new dance. In my case I’m teaching Paula the cha-cha to Aretha Franklin’s "Respect." Love the song and love the year Paula chose for her most memorable year. We won’t be able to see the video package before we dance until you [the viewers] do. I never like to watch those videos, because you never know if it’s going to affect Paula.

Tuesday evening Paula and I went to Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills for the "Women on Evine" event. It was lovely to see Lisa and her husband Ken, catch up with Nancy O’Dell, and meet Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child. She had done the British version of "Dancing With The Stars" and had great pointers for Paula.

PHOTO:Paula Deen and Louis Van Amstel arrive at the EVINE Live Celebration , Sept. 29, 2015, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Paula Deen and Louis Van Amstel arrive at the EVINE Live Celebration , Sept. 29, 2015, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were all about the rehearsals. No distractions! Paula and I really focused on improving her confidence purely with repetition, repetition, repetition. I believe this week Paula made the biggest change mentally and I can’t wait for her to share it with you.

PHOTO:Louis Van Amstel gives ABC News a behind-the-scenes look at his week.
Louis Van Amstel gives ABC News a behind-the-scenes look at his week.

Saturday was a busy day. We started rehearsal at 8 a.m. for two hours and it was great because no one was there. Just us. At 10:15 a.m. I had a conference call while driving from Hollywood to another town for my LaBlast dance fitness class at DanceWithMe Sherman Oaks dance studio. [For that footage, see the video above!]

All year I travel the country doing LaBlast training sessions, certifying instructors and teaching master classes open to the public. It’s nice to be able to do some classes back at home and see the ladies who have been with me since I started LaBlast with Lisa Rinna in 2007.

PHOTO: Louis Van Amstel gives ABC News a behind-the-scenes look at his week.
Louis Van Amstel gives ABC News a behind-the-scenes look at his week.

After LaBlast, it was back to the rehearsal studio for my master interview and second rehearsal with Paula. At night we had a nice dinner -- quiche, guacamole with chips, salmon or chicken and salad -- under the Californian sky on my rooftop with Paula, her hubby, my mom, Josh, his mom, and our best friends.

PHOTO: Louis Van Amstel gives ABC News a behind-the-scenes look at his week.
Louis Van Amstel gives ABC News a behind-the-scenes look at his week.

Sundays are all about camera blocking and last minute rehearsals. Oh, not to forget spray tanning! LOL! I can honestly 'fess up I have never done a spray tan, but Paula is in love with them like a little kid in a candy store. Haha!

I have a huge surprise for Paula this week. She has no idea what I planned and unfortunately I can’t share it with you guys either! You’ll have to watch the show!

"Dancing With The Stars" airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

PHOTO:Louis Van Amstel gives ABC News a behind-the-scenes look at his week.
Louis Van Amstel gives ABC News a behind-the-scenes look at his week.