‘Dancing with the Stars’ 17: Bill Engvall defends position, explains reason for success

At the moment, there is no bigger surprise on “Dancing with the Stars” season 17 than Bill Engvall. This is a guy that most people felt like would be eliminated during one of the earlier weeks in the competition, and he’s now someone who could find his way to sneak in to the finale. Bill has already beat dancers with perfect scores, and he’s done so with a mixture of humor and likability.

So why does he think that he is doing so well with viewers at home? Speaking to People Magazine, Engvall cites his everyman quality, his work effort with being the oldest contestant in the competition, and also that he is someone that they can relate to since he is not actively out there trying to become a bigger star:

“I just think [my fans] are everyday Americans who work hard and try to put a roof over their families heads. They go to work, they pay their taxes. Just your everyday guy and girl. And that’s who I am.

“If you lived next door to me and didn’t know what I did, you wouldn’t know I was a celebrity. I don’t have that lifestyle nor do I want that lifestyle. I want to know that I can have a separate life with my wife and my kids and just be normal and go camping and fishing and outdoor stuff. I think that’s who my fans are.” 

Bill is also the fist one to admit to not being the best dancer in the world, but he’s also certainly well-aware of the fact that this is a competition that revolves around so much more than just pure dancing ability. You also have to get votes:

“I’ve never said I was the best dancer and I never said I was a good dancer. Don’t forget this is not a dance competition. If it was, I would not be here.” 

Do you think that Bill really is deserving of his spot on “Dancing with the Stars” still, if for no other reason than the effort he continues to put in? Be sure to share below, and click here if you want to check out the latest edition of our contestant rankings.

Photo: ABC