Chaz Bono, the son of pop star Cher who underwent a sex change operation, made an energetic start to Dancing With The Stars during the show's season premiere on Monday (19th September 2011). Bono and partner Lacey Schwimmer appeared confident throughout their cha-cha routine to upbeat hit 'Dancing in the Street', reports the Washington Post.
Despite receiving a string of insulting messages on Twitter concerning her involvement in the show, Chaz wowed the audience with a series of well worked moves and was rewarded by the judges. Despite not receiving the highest score of the evening, Bono appeared satisfied with her 5, 6 and 5 from Carrie Ann Inaba and co. The current frontrunners are Chynna Phillips, Hope Solo and J.R. Martinez. Chaz's mother Cher spoke of her pride at the performance, tweeting, "Wow ! How Great Was My Son? The Greatest,Thing Greatest Thing,Greatestthing No Matter What !What! What!" Hes A Winner ! I Was So Nervous". Despite impressing with his routine, Bono could still be in trouble during the public vote taking place tonight (20th September 2011), however, Elisabetta Canalis and Ron Artest were the evening's lowest scorers.
Chaz Bono, born Chastity Bono, legally changed her name and gender in May 2010. He made a documentary about the sex change which debuted on Oprah Winfrey's network OWN.