Toughest dance to learn... most fun to perform. Between the the song (by @diplo project @majorlazer ), the light show, and the choreography by the brilliant @theemmaslater , this one truly lit the ballroom up. (Read that last bit in a cheesy FM DJ voice. It deserves it.)
Live show TONIGHT #HalloweenWeek @dancingabc Voting opens 8/7c and stays open till 10pm east coast time. Text JAMES ten times to 21523 and vote via link in bio during that window.
I was nervous about singing in public. As a kid, I’d let outside voices prevent me from having full confidence in my singing abilities, and some of that insecurity had stuck after all these years…
Thank you to @vanderkimberly and my kids for encouraging me to push through to the other side of fear and do @maskedsingerfox
Thank you to the producers for inviting me, to the insanely talented costume designers for such a bad-ass character, to Britt for convincing me this song would work, to the musical director for welcoming my arrangement notes and thoughts with zero condescension, to the choreographers for such cool dances I couldn’t see at the time 😂, to @ivanrutherford for coaching me to readiness with such care and skill, and to @amychapman for weaving her magic and helping me tap into what it’s like to sing like ME.
And may this be an invitation to everyone to follow their bliss ❤️
#singing #disturbia #themaskedsinger Wednesday nights on @fox
Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.
My father and my daughter share a birthday today. At first, I thought that was all they shared - they seemed so different to me.
But as the two of you have evolved, and let more of who you are shine through, I can recognize the same open, warm, loving, gentle heart. I see the care and dedication you shower upon those you love most. I see the same out-of-the-box Aquarian creativity and originality. And you both make every room you’re in more fun. Different senes of humor, but you both have a way of alchemizing the vibe around you in such a subtle way one can almost miss how powerfully you do this.
In this crazy world, it’s a wonder to me that you’ve managed to stay so open, so tender, and so genuinely good.
You are marvels… and I’m so insanely grateful to have you in my life.
The world is a better place because the two of you are in it.
Happy birthday, guys. I love you with all my heart ❤️
In the winter, the days are shorter and the nights are longer. But instead of being reminded how perfect this season is for cocooning, eating stew, snuggling and sleeping… why are we being told this is the time to buy a gym membership?
Laughter is the best medicine. As someone who once played a Dr. on TV, I feel qualified to make this statement.
Was about to attempt a splinterectomy on my 4 year-old when I realized my trusty readers (reserved almost exclusively for splinter removal) were broken. My annoyance quickly gave way to gratitude, however, when his attention shifted from the wood in his finger to how silly I looked.
And I - never one to resist going for the laugh - rode it for all it was worth 😂
And once he was able to stop shaking from the laughter, all went smoothly. I expect a full recovery.
I keep getting reminders these last couple days to laugh more. Also: I think we should start spelling it: “Laffter.”
Who’s with me?
#laugh #laughter #laughterismedicine #laffter
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4 years old today. After 2 late-term losses, we thought we were done. Thank God you knew better.
An iron will combined with an innate sweetness. And ALL boy. And as you run around and scream and bang things… all I can think about is how grateful I am that you came to us.
You’ve been particular from the jump. And as your language skills have finally caught up the specificity of your desires, what I’m seeing is a fun-loving, passionate soul who doesn’t think twice about speaking up for exactly what he wants. And for that example, I thank you.
I’m sorry there have been spells where I couldn’t be the father I would want to be for you… where I was too weak to pick you up, throw you around, or even put you to bed… but know that watching you reveal yourself to us has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
And even though you’re stingy with the hugs… when you do decide to wrap those thick little arms around my neck, it’s like time has stood still and all is right with the world.
I love you, bubba. And I always will. And all you ever have to do is be you. Happy birthday, my “big little boy.” ❤️
My oldest turned 15 today.
Same age that Dawson was in the pilot.
To watch you stand there in that red dress, so confidently taking center stage amidst all those people I’ve known so long and cherish so deeply… I’m just left in awe.
I’ve always joked that you came out “parent proof,” but this last year, as I’ve watched you accelerate into so many big decisions, jump into so many activities, budget your time, do your homework and your hair (which, from my point of view, seem to require roughly the same amount of time & focus 😂)… the less I think the parent-proof thing is a joke.
Of course, no one is perfect…
A few weeks again when you invited me to your first High School football game and informed me, on the way, how you’d screwed up just about every aspect of my ticket… and you felt me getting annoyed… you did something remarkable. Something I’d like to THINK you learned from me (but recognize that might be wishful thinking): You immediately took responsibility. Told me it was your first time doing all of it. Apologized succinctly, then did what you could to fix it.
I was more proud of how you handled the mess-up than if you’d done it all perfectly the start.
Keep taking big swings, kiddo. Risk imperfection. Keep dreaming big and most importantly, be true to who you are. Because, while only YOU will know exactly who your most authentic self will be, as someone who’s known you your whole life… I can guarantee you’re going to love her.
Happy birthday kiddo. I love you ❤️
Kail called over the weekend: @vanderjames caught a virus and was unable to travel to NY for the Dawson’s Creek reunion Monday. Now I’m godfather to Tommy and Michelle’s kid, so filling in for Dawson last minute falls under general coverage. What happened next was for me, more like being in an episode of Quantum Leap; I had the immense privilege of being present as an understudy so that people’s love for James, his family, and this incredible cast and show could reverberate all around the Rodgers and the world. Even got to be back onstage w @reneeelisegoldsberry . Texted pictures and videos to James all through rehearsal and the evening; here are some of them:
1: 🎶this is ridiculous what am I doing here I’m in the wrong story🎵
2: the good Dr. Odyssey
3: our Hamilton lighting designer, the late great Howell Binkley, used to always leave me Reese’s on his tech table. His successor @ryan_j_ogara kept the tradition yesterday 🥹
4: bows rehearsal
5: Renee and the great @thenormlewis , who brought the house down w Phantom
6: Pacing with Pacey
7: the Van Der Beek family
8: Josh fully regressed when he heard Mary Beth Peil again
9: “They’re gonna cheer for that.”
10: All Jen wants is to be friends with Joey, LET HER IN JOEY
11: Watching James’ video in rehearsal
12: Memes are a love language, or so I tell myself so I can sleep at night (this one courtesy of Paul Sabourin)
Fuck Cancer and thanks to everyone who helped make last night possible.
This is the evening I’d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January…
So you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment.
Despite every effort… I won’t get to be there. I won’t get to stand on that stage and thank every soul in the theater for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most.
But I DO have an understudy. A ridiculously overqualified replacement who would have been #1 on my wishlist (had I ever dreamed he’d be available). Someone my kids would definitely consider an upgrade over me… Plus, he already knows how to get to the theater. So that’s convenient.
The role of “Dawson”, usually played by James Van Der Beek…
Will be played by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Can’t believe I just got to type that.
Everyone please enjoy all the love in that room. Shine some on my family. I will be beaming and receiving from afar in a bed in Austin.
And thank you @lin_manuel . You were a hero to my kids before… now you’re a demigod 😇
