Will OLTL’s Corbin Bleu Win DANCING WITH THE STARS?

Stars from GENERAL HOSPITAL (Kelly Monaco, Sam) and ALL MY CHILDREN (J.R. Martinez, Brot) have won the coveted mirror ball trophy on DANCING WITH THE STARS — is it ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s turn tonight? It could happen given that Corbin Bleu (Jeffrey, OTL) and his pro partner Karina Smirnoff performed a spectacular freestyle routine on Monday’s show that not only earned a perfect score of 30, but also got a standing ovation from stern judge Len Goodman.

“Any number of things could have gone wrong,” Bleu told Soaps In Depth after the show about the intricate Michael Jackson-inspired freestyle routine. “The fact that I could have seriously injured my partner was very scary! Then, we went into the lean, which took tremendous strength to get out of. It was one thing after another. We made it through each one. When it was over, I looked at Karina and said, ‘We did it!'”

And Bleu even has a connection to the late King Of Pop! “Yes, I did meet Michael,” says Bleu, who’s so enthralled by the superstar singer that he still speaks of him in the present tense! “It was probably the highlight of my life. He’s such a presence. He’s extremely tall and has big ol’ hands. He came to the High School Musical Concert in Vegas. When I went and did my bit in the concert, [director] Kenny Ortega, who directed all [Michael’s] tours, told me that Michael leaned over to him and said, ‘Who’s that?’ Kenny said, ‘That’s Corbin Bleu.’ Michael said, ‘He’s good!’ I still get goose bumps thinking about that.”

Has the actor allowed himself to imagine what it might be like to win the mirror ball trophy? “I’m trying not to even think about that,” he says. “We got a perfect score on our freestyle, but I’m already focusing on the fusion dance we’re doing [in the next episode]. Then, I’m focused on Thanksgiving and eating — and sleeping! And chill with my family!”

Couples were allowed to select routines for their competitors for the finale tonight. Rather than choose a dance combination that his fellow finalist Jack Osbourne might not be good at, Bleu actually chose one (paso doble/salsa) believing his opponent would do well. Now, that is sportsmanship!

“I love Jack,” Bleu says. “I love his improvement throughout this entire time. When he finished his freestyle, I was standing up cheering saying he should get ’10’s.’ He’s an incredible person, and so is Cheryl [Burke, his dance pro partner].”

What’s up next for the actor? “Right now, I’m working on this anti-bullying film The Day I Died,” he says. “I want to get more into producing. Even if I don’t win, I’m going to be celebrating because I made it into the top three! This has been an incredible experience!”