And the big, mirrored ball was handed to ... Dr. Anne Trussell.
The retired internal medicine physician and owner of Sei Bella Med Spa was declared the 2018 champion of Dancing With Our Stars, the Red Carpet for Research Event presented by the Arkansas Chapter of the Children's Tumor Foundation.
The 11th annual competition was held Sept. 6 in the William Grant Still Grand Ballroom of Robinson Center. Proceeds went to the foundation, dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by neurofibromatosis.
Retiree and community volunteer Ellen Williams won the best performance trophy in a field of competitors that also included Aaron Perkins, owner of Face Your Day Salon, stepping out with instructor LaTonya Chante Erby; Michelle DuVall, dancer, model and philanthropist, performing with instructor Brian Earles; Nick Brown, president and chief executive officer of Southwest Power Pool, cutting a rug with instructor Monika Crissler-Vise; and Dr. Ali Krisht, director of the Arkansas Neuroscience Institute at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, dancing with instructor Allison Wilson. Instructor John Browning helped steer Trussell to victory, while instructor Stephen K. Stone partnered with Williams.
Guests of the packed event browsed silent auction items, sipped passed libations and took red-carpet photos before being seated for dinner, then voting for contestants during a program steered by Lisa Fischer and Heather Brown. Steve "Wild Man" Wilson, Natalie Rockefeller and Herren Hickingbotham -- along with some of the children who make up the foundation's group of "NF Ambassadors" -- judged the performances.
The evening also included a Send-A-Kid-To-Camp Campaign, conducted by guest masters of ceremonies Rick Fleetwood and Daniel Robinson; and a number of Star Recognition Awards.
High Profile on 09/16/2018