The star dedicated his latest dance to the parents who raised him.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the ballroom when Jordan Fisher performed on “Dancing with the Stars” tonight. Not only was the singer and actor’s moving performance one of his personal best — even earning him two of the first perfect 10s of the season! — but the dance was dedicated to his adoptive family. The best part was, his parents were in the audience to see the touching tribute live!
In honor of the “Most Memorable Year” theme on this week’s episode, Jordan chose to dance in honor of 2005, the year he was officially legally adopted by his maternal grandparents. On the show, Jordan shared that he was raised by his mom’s parents — who very easily and wonderfully became his own — as his biological mother was only 16 years old when she had him and suffered from drug and substance abuse issues.
Jordan shared that his biological mom was not fit to raise him, but luckily his adoptive family has been involved in his entire upbringing.
He shared that getting the official adoption paperwork was just an unforgettable moment.
“I think there’s something to be said about a document legally proving something that you know to be fact already,” Jordan said on the show. “My being adopted, it saved me — it literally saved my life. … I was so loved. I’m so grateful to them.”
In a new interview, the star shared more of his feelings about his family.
“My life could have been very different,” Jordan told People. “It’s because of [my parents’] unrelenting, unconditional support and love I’m able to have the life that I have now and do everything I love to do and that starts with the selflessness and love of my mom and dad. This is the first time I’m speaking about my adoption story, but I’ve never had anything to hide or felt ashamed about my adoption. After almost 14 years in the industry and working to make things happen I have a voice and a platform and it just feels like the right time to share my story.”
“I was blessed to be taken in by two most selfless, loving, caring, beautiful people I’ve ever known,” he added. “They took me out of any potential environment that would have not been good for me.”
Jordan shared that while his biological mother was not able to be a good example for him, his parents have inspired him in so many ways.
“Substance abuse is real and drugs are powerful. [My biological mother] gave me a template of what not to do in life and my parents gave me a template of how to be resilient and strong and pursue my dream and goals,” he said. “My adoption journey fully fuels my inspiration, my drive, what my vision of success is. My ultimate goal in my life is to have a family. I want to be an incredible father, an incredible husband and take great care of my wife and all my kids and do what I love to do during the day to provide for them. That, ultimately, is what I see as being successful. I just aspire to be even half of how wonderful as my parents are.”
We’re so proud of Jordan for inspiring others with his story, and honoring his parents with such a powerful performance!
To see more of Jordan’s latest, check out his new DWTS video below!
Written by Kristine Hope Kowalski
