Willow Shields’ ‘DWTS’ Blog: Bruised, But Not Broken!

“Hunger Games” star Willow Shields joins AccessHollywood.com as our behind-the-scenes celebrity blogger for Season 20 of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

Here is Willow’s latest post…

Wow it’s been a crazy week. But first a little about my last performance, the Argentine Tango! Yayyyyyy, I was so happy with our performance! Mark Ballas and I really worked hard on this dance. Plus, I felt super motivated by being able to dance to my favorite song, “Somebody That I Used to Know,” for My Jam Monday. I know a lot of people thought there is no way a 14-year-old would choose a song like this, but it’s true, I suggested the song to Mark and he was like, “I really think we could create an awesome tango to this song.”

Everything from the costuming to the art created on stage made this a very unique dance (I included a picture of the first dress design). It’s pretty cool, Mark and I get to meet with designers and artists to give them our ideas and all of this is created in about five days! I felt really great while dancing and I finished the dance by moving back into the painting on stage. Mark made it pretty clear “Stay in that box until I come get you, because I don’t want you tripping as you get out of it!” But anyway, as he walked up to me to take me to the judges I could see by the look on his face, and the noise from the live audience, that we did awesome! Thankfully, the scores went up A LOT, and the comments by the judges blew me away. I thought to myself, YES this is so much fun!!

A design for Willow Shields’ ‘DWTS’ costume (Willow Shields)

I went out to a great dinner with my family to celebrate, but the next morning, it was time to get back to work. Next dance, the Pasodoble. Mark started out by giving me a short lesson on the history of the dance and it’s Spanish roots. He also explained how the woman’s skirt can represent a matador’s cape. Because of my age I’m sure our dance may be a little different than some other couples, but we’re really focusing on the intensity and passion.

I was feeling pretty good about our progress about half way through the week and then during a practice of a dip, I fell onto Mark’s knee knocking the wind out me. I kind of hit in an awkward way with my back slightly twisted. I have to admit, I’ve never had the air knocked out of me and it was a little scary. It took me awhile to catch my breath and also realized my ribs really hurt too. But really I was most upset at the thought of anything stopping me from competing. I’ve never really talked about the idea of wanting to win this competition, I’ve been having so much fun, but while trying to catch my breath I worried that this could keep me from winning. Maybe it took getting injured to make me realize how much I really wanted that darn mirrorball!

PHOTOS: ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 20: Cast Portraits

Well the doctor checked me out and let me know that I would have some bruising and be really sore for at least two days. Good thing is that he said I could continue practicing unless any of the pain worsened. But there’s not a lot of time and losing even a half of a day would put me behind schedule. But there’s nothing I can do. I went to a chiropractor that afternoon and besides trying to relieve my sore back he discovered I had a rib out of place and popped it back into position. Instantly, I felt better and my breathing even became easier. I think this chiropractor may be my new bestie!

So, I’m ready for tonight’s Pasodoble! Fire and Ice. Mark is ice and I am fire and we are ready to battle!

— Willow Shields