The Incredible Hulk star Lou Ferrigno is set to show off his fancy footwork as a contestant on the new season of TV reality show Dancing With The Stars.
The bodybuilder-turned-actor, who recently hit the headlines when it was revealed he was Michael Jackson's personal trainer up to the King of Pop's death in June, originally auditioned for the show in 2007, according to Life & Style magazine.
He says, "I had a good meeting with the producers for Dancing With the Stars, it was really positive, and they loved the idea of having me on the show.
"I’ve never done that type of dancing before, so I know that I’ll have to train hard. I’m a glutton for punishment, so I’ll give it my best shot."
Michael Jackson was determined not to let his chronic back pain slow him down as he prepared for his comeback tour. So he enlisted the help of The Incredible Hulk to whip him into shape.
"When the promoter hired him to do the tour it wasn't any question for me to train him again because he knew that he trusted me especially with toning and shaping his body," says Ferrigno, who had worked with Jackson on another tour 15 years ago. "Being such an icon and he couldn't afford to have any injuries."
Implementing the same type of routine he had for Jackson years ago – "conditioning, toning, and increasing his flexibility and stamina" – Ferrigno says the entertainer, "wanted to increase strength in his legs.
"The workout wasn't any heavy resistance. A lot of stretching and a light walk on the treadmill," Ferrigno told People. "Being 50, his body went through a lot of stress getting ready for the tour, but he was awesome."
Like others who had seen Jackson rehearse, the singer's death came as a surprise for Ferrigno. "I was devastated. I mean I was shocked. I still think of it as like a joke or a like a dream," he says.
Ferrigno even recalled how Jackson wanted to show him one of his signature moves.
"He heard I was in the running to do Dancing with the Stars, so he said that he would teach me the moonwalk if I did the show," Ferrigno says. "We had a lot of fun."
Who better to help Michael Jackson "hulk" up for tour than the original Hulk himself?
Lou Ferrigno's wife Carla has confirmed to People that the star of the 1970's TV hit The Incredible Hulk has been working as Michael Jackson's physical trainer in preparation for Jackson’s return to live performing in July. "Lou and Michael have known each other for a long time," says Carla. "Lou first trained Michael 15-years ago."
Jackson's exact workout regimen remains secret, but Ferrigno, a two-time Mr. Universe, has added muscle to other celebrity clients such as Mickey Rourke and Chuck Norris.
The Incredible Hulk star Lou Ferrigno is set to show off his fancy footwork as a contestant on the new season of TV reality show Dancing With The Stars.
