Marissa Jaret Winokur News

Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani had an impressive, unexpected run on Dancing with the Stars.

But it finally came to an end last night, as the dup was voted out before next week's final.

"No one expected us to get this far," Jaret Winokur told host Samantha Harris. "I didn't expect us to get this far. Tony didn't expect me to get this far…This has been such an incredible, incredible experience."

Despite posting the lowest scores among the remaining dancers, Jaret Winokur and Dovolani continued to advance in the competition, shocking  viewers last week by edging out Mario and Karina for a spot in the semifinals.

Jaret Winokur teared up last night, but still encouraged her fans:

"I want everyone to go out and do something fun and do something that makes you feel sexy and shake what your momma gave you!"

Next week's finals will feature Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas; Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska; and Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke. Who do you think will win?

Despite a few missteps early on, Marissa Jaret Winokur keeps chugging along, much to the delight of fans.

The former Broadway star has even dubbed herself the "little engine that could," but she recently admitted to People Magazine that a different nickname might be more apt.

"Actually, it was the ‘little booty that could', it really was!" Winokur said of last night's rocking rump. "I shook it as much as I could, and I have a lot to shake, but that's just what God gave me."

Not that the Dancing with the Stars star is complaining: "I am thanking God for my booty... and my man thanks God for my Booty, too!"

It's been years since Marissa Jaret Winokur showed off her moves in public. But her starring turn on Hairspray on Broadway did earn this actress a Tony Award.

On Dancing with the Stars, we'll soon find out if Winokur still has it. For now, here's background on the contestant:

Age 35
Best Known For Her Tony Awardâ€"winning performance in Hairspray
Lives In Los Angeles
Partner Tony Dovolani

Advantages Winokur studied a little tap and jazz in college as part of her musical theater training. She's also got a great outlook on life. In 2001, Winokur was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She beat the cancer, stopped eating junk food and improved her self image. "I would say to women out there: You can be happy and healthy, and you don't have to be a size 0 to do this."
Disadvantages Winokur describes herself as "totally dyslexic. I can't tell my left leg from my right leg."