Melissa Rycroft knows a thing or two about life on the road. She got a crash course traveling from location to exotic location on Jason Mesnick's season of The Bachelor and then commuted between Dallas and Los Angeles during her first and second stints on Dancing With the Stars. But for the Dallas-based host and TV personality, returning home just makes life all the more sweet in the long run. Currently hosting the DWTS Perfect 10 Tour in 40 cities, the petite brunette called us from Boise, Idaho, before that evening's show ("We're actually at a mall right now letting the kids play in the play area," she tells us of tour life with husband Tye Strickland) to talk injuries, pranks, and her pick to win The Bachelorette.
Glamour: Thank you for calling from the road! How are you feeling at the halfway point of the tour? I see a lot of bruises on Instagram!
Melissa Rycroft: I'm OK. I actually suffered a knee injury on a second show day, so I'm still recovering from that and only doing two of the five dances I was originally going to do. Other than that, I'm OK. I do feel like this has been the injury plagued tour with everybody! Someone has had to sit out a show or two along the way, but, knock on wood, it's smooth sailing from here on out!
Glamour: There was Rumer's foot, then Peta's ankle, then Artem's elbow. How do you handle that during the show? Do you do a longer host chat/Q&A instead of an extra dance?
Melissa: The toughest was when we lost Artem because [it happened] halfway through the show. Literally, at intermission, we reworked the entire second act with dancers going in to fill in for him, or scratching a dance completely, or an extra hosting segment. That was completely done on the fly, and certainly the most stressful. When Peta got hurt, we knew she was going to be out the next day, so we could plan for it. These dancers are so professional though and know everybody's dances just from watching them, so most of the time they can step right in. We've been able to fill the spots because we don't want to leave any dances out for the audiences, and we want to make sure they see a complete show regardless of who was in or not.
Glamour: I'd be on the phone with your former partner Tony Dovolani telling him he needs to come pitch in for a bit!
Melissa: If we keep getting injured at this rate, he may be getting a phone call!
Glamour: Alfonso Ribeiro hosted last winter's tour. What tips did he give you?
Melissa: He just said to enjoy it. I asked him more about the behind-the-scenes and the bus life, and he's the one that sold me on it because I was nervous. He said it was great, and his wife loved it, his kids loved it, you're in a new city every day, and we've had a fantastic time. Ava usually gets to watch the show and go backstage. Beckett's usually asleep, but they're all friends with the cast. Everything I was worried about, I had nothing to worry about. It has turned out to be the best scenario for us.
Glamour: You and your husband have your own bus on the tour. How have the kids adjusted to bus life?
Melissa: There was really no adjustment period. Beckett has a crib, and the movement of the bus definitely helps the kids sleep. It's like a built-in sound machine for them! When we wake up in the morning in a new city, we can get straight off the bus and go explore. They've done really, really well. It's a big family vacation!
Glamour: What has been your favorite city to visit so far?
Melissa: You can't beat Las Vegas. I really enjoyed Morristown, New Jersey. I'm really enjoying Boise right now too. A lot of the girls are actually floating the river right now!
Glamour: What cities are you most looking forward to visiting over the next month?
Melissa: I haven't been to any of the other cities we're going to. I heard there's a fairytale land in Sacramento that I am dying to take my daughter to. There's actually a couple places in Texas I haven't been to—El Paso and Corpis [Christi]—so I'm excited to see those places. Also, Tucson, Arizona. I wish I was racking up frequent flier miles!
Glamour: There have been a lot of practical jokes on this tour. You waited in a trash can for almost an hour to surprise Sasha Farber.
Melissa: I still have bruises on my arm from sitting in there. Every time someone walked by, I would scare them, but I was really only out for Sasha! He's gotten me twice now. I'll team up with Peta and Rumer, and we'll get him back.
Glamour: How did you know he was even going to have a soda can to throw away?
Melissa: Sasha is an open book. He has a routine every day, and you know what he's doing. This was right after lunch, and I know he always has a soda right after lunch. The fact that he went to throw his soda away was a bonus because I was just going to scare him.
Glamour: Emma Slater told us that she couldn't wait to get to know your kids. So once the tour is over, who would you call to come over and babysit?
Melissa: All of them. Ava has linked on to Rumer [Willis]. They are BFFs backstage. And then definitely Emma has taken to both of the kids. I hate to just point two people out because everybody is great, but Rumer and Emma are probably Ava's favorites right now. Everybody has welcomed us with open arms.
A photo posted by Melissa Rycroft Strickland (@melrystrick) on Jun 17, 2015 at 12:13pm PDT
Glamour: Do you and the other dancers do your own makeup and hair every night or is there a team with you?
Melissa: We do it ourselves, but it's kind of a really fun process because two hours before the show, the girls are all in one dressing room together and we'll either put on an episode of The Bachelorette that we missed or rock out to some music. It's girl time! Jenna is known for doing everybody's hair because she can braid anything!
Glamour: Speaking of The Bachelorette, Emma also mentioned that watching The Bachelor on the tour bus was a staple last winter. Are you watching it regularly?
Melissa: I am. They got me into it. I haven't watched the show in years. At least I know what's going on now, which is more than it has been in the past.
Glamour: Who are you rooting for as we head into the homestretch?
Melissa: I think everybody is rooting for Shawn now, and I feel like the show wants you to like Shawn.
Glamour: Did you see last night's episode with Ben though? He's my frontrunner, even though I don't think he'll be Kaitlyn's choice.
Melissa: No, we haven't watched last night's show yet. We'll watch it today as we get ready. It's down to the wire though, so it could be any of the guys now!
Glamour: Which of the dancers have you most enjoyed watching interact with the fans?
Melissa: Obviously Val gets a lot [of fans]. I told him how impressed I am with him and fans. We do meet and greets every show, and I see Val day in and day out interact with these women that love him and kiss him and hug him, and he gives each one the same amount of love and attention. He makes each person feel like they get the same treatment, and that says a lot because sometimes you're feeling burnt out or having a bad day, and he always goes the extra mile to interact with everybody. He really does care about everyone.
Glamour: What's next for you once the tour is over?
Melissa: After being on the road for three months, I plan on being home for at least a month! I will turn the phone off, the email off, and just enjoy the smell of my own home! And then, you know, we'll see. Life has always been a bunch of revolving doors for us. We've been really lucky and blessed that I've had the opportunities I've had, so we'll see.
Glamour: Would you come back to perform on DWTS?
Melissa: We did come back last season for the 10th anniversary show. I keep saying no unless it makes sense now. I wouldn't just come back to come back, but it has to be the right thing at this point.
Glamour: Lastly, since casting is underway for season 21, is there anyone you'd love to see join the show?
Melissa: I have always said—because he was the first official love of my life—Derek Jeter. Now it's perfect because he's not playing anymore and he has a lot of free time! It would be so fun. I have the ultimate crush on him, and I have for 14 years!
In case you missed it, check out what all your DWTS favorites have been up to since season 20 ended (including a Robert and Kym update!)
You can catch Melissa and the DWTS pros on tour through the middle of August. Click here for tour dates.
