KEY POINTS:
Dancing With the Stars finalist Megan Alatini has news for critics who say she is too cocky and her performing background has given her an unfair advantage.
Alatini and comeback infomercial queen Suzanne Paul have defied an online Herald poll that predicted their early demise in TVNZ's popular
series - they will be the last contestants in Tuesday night's final.
The former member of girl-band TrueBliss said she was frustrated by comments on internet message boards that she was overconfident.
Despite having topped the judges' scoreboard in five of the seven episodes screened so far, Alatini said she was a "terrible bundle of nerves" in the lead-up to showtime each week.
"I see these blogs going on about my confidence and how sure I am of myself but I'm probably just as nervous or more nervous than the other competitors. I probably have a better way of camouflaging it with a smile, but deep down the jitters and the butterflies are definitely there."
Alatini, who polled lowest at just 3 per cent when Herald online readers were asked to pick a winner early last month, also laughed off other online claims about her previous dancing expertise, which she said was "nil".
"In the TrueBliss days our dance routines were side to side, back and forward, up and down and if that is called dance experience then I don't know."
She said that because it appeared she was attempting tricky steps people assumed she had been tutored previously.
"But that's more credit to my dance partner for what he's been able to do with my limited skills."
Paul, who took ballet and tap lessons at her local church hall while growing up in England, said her younger rival was "naturally gifted and a wonderful mover" but agreed that her background was not necessarily an advantage.
"Some people have a natural rhythm and ability, but I think I have my own charm which I bring to the dance floor. I just try to ... let the personality show through."
The marketing genius behind Natural Glow said she was enjoying her time back in the spotlight "showing people another side of myself" and hoped to relaunch her television career.
"I just know if I was a TV executive I would have me signed up already, you know what I mean - it just seems obvious to me."
Paul said she was heartened by dance partner Stefano Olivieri, who during their early rehearsals said she had talent and they could do well.
But she admitted to being a little surprised at how the public had got behind her.
"I think it's because people keep saying to me that I am very real and unfortunately I just say what comes into my head," said Paul.
Both women have been putting more than six hours a day into rehearsing the three dances they will perform in the final, on top of their charitable commitments.
Both have said the experience has been "wonderful" but all-consuming and they are looking forward to spending time with their loved ones.
"I haven't been able to do anything else, I don't talk about anything else, I don't think about anything else, I don't do emails and my husband's been having to do everything for me," said Paul.
About 1.2 million New Zealanders aged 5 and over tuned in to last year's grand final, which was won by former beauty queen Lorraine Downes and Aaron Gilmore.
Herald Online poll in April
We asked 1000-plus readers who they liked the most of this line-up:
* April Ieremia 24%
* Frank Bunce 21%
* Greer Robson 17%
* Paul Holmes 10%
* Suzanne Paul 10%
* Brendon Pongia 8%
* Michael Laws 7%
* Megan Alatini 3%
FACE OFF
Suzanne Paul
* Infomercial queen, former television personality.
* Age: 50.
* From: Wolverhampton, England.
* Marital status: Married, no children.
* Dance partner: Stefano Olivieri.
* Bottom-two visits: One.
* Herald online poll rating before competition started: 10 per cent.
* Background: Came to New Zealand with $15 in her pocket in 1991 before her entrepreneurial flair and products such as the Suzanne Clip and Natural Glow pushed her worth to $39 million just five years later.
* Lost the lot in an ill-fated Maori tourism venture, Rawaka, in 2005 and was declared bankrupt but plans a comeback.
* Personality: Feisty, hates losing. After judge Brendan Cole told Paul he did not like her "gimmick" paso doble she replied with a glare: "Get over yourself." She says: "I went up to him afterwards and said, 'I forgive you, Brendan'."
* Best judge's comments: "I can't believe it, that was fantastic." (Carol-Ann Hickmore on their jive, week 2).
* Worst judge's comments: "It looked like you have been through a divorce and had to dance." (Craig Revel-Horwood, week 6, after she said her rumba would start rumours she was having a "mad, passionate" affair with Olivieri).
* What she admires most about Megan: "She works hard and puts her heart and soul into everything she does and I admire that."
Megan Alatini
* Singer, Former NZ Idol judge.
* Age: 30.
* From: Cape Town, South Africa.
* Marital status: Married to former All Black Pita Alatini, three children.
* Dance partner: Jonny Williams.
* Bottom-two visits: One.
* Herald online poll rating before competition started: 3 per cent.
* Background: Immigrated to New Zealand from Cape Town in 1987 and later became one of five members of the world's first made-for-TV pop band, TrueBliss. The band had a number one album and single in 1999 in New Zealand.
* Some Herald readers believe Alatini's singing and dancing history may have given her an advantage over the show's other competitors.
* Personality: Appears confident and polished but has admitted to big-night nerves "every single episode".
* Best judge's comment: "That was some of the best partner dancing I have seen," (Revel-Horwood, week 7) and, "Quite simply, a fantastic rumba ... you are sensational!" (Cole, week 2).
* Worst judge's comment (very few): "You're a fantastic dancer but that lacked the wow factor," (Revel-Horwood, week 7).
* What she admires most about Suzanne: "She's obviously very tenacious. To be in showbiz and to be in the position she's in even now after all her pitfalls is a great credit to her character."
THREE VIEWS OF THE COMPETITION
Christine Rankin
* What were the highs and lows?
I think Brendon was fabulous and he was the real interest of the show for most people and I think he and Hayley were a magnificent combination. The fizz has gone. It's lacked the sparkle this time, the characters were gone far too early and it hasn't been the same.
* Who are you picking to win?
It's hard to pick. Megan is definitely the best dancer but Suzanne has got spirit, she just needs to hold on to that dignity of hers.
Georgina Beyer
* What were the highs and lows?
The highs for me were Carl Doy and the orchestra and the fab costumes from wardrobe. Also the ever-improving camera shots of the dance competitors.
* Who are you picking to win?
I pick Suzanne and Stefano. Why? Her age, ability, determination to succeed and fab personality. She's funny and honest and has a great partnership with Stefano.
Rodney Hide
* What were the highs and lows?
The high was undoubtedly the quality of the contestants and the extraordinary effort they put in to entertain us all.
* Who are you picking to win?
Megan and Jonny - they're the best dancers in the show.
