Nastia Liukin, the pride of Parker, TX, became the pride of the nation when she won the individual all-around gold at the 2008 Olympics.
She's going for the gold again -- the gold mirror ball trophy -- on the 20th Season of "Dancing with the Stars."
News 8 caught up with her having just hosted the "Nastia Liukin Cup" at AT&T Stadium.
"Just being able to come here and watch the Cowboys, then walk in here and have signage with my name on it, it was just so surreal," she said.
Equally surreal is the task of developing a whole new set of skills on the ballroom floor.
"I have no dance experience, so I don't really have an 'up' on anyone to that," Liukin said. "I've never taken a dance lesson in my life or anything"
Her teacher will be none other than five-time 'Dancing' champ Derek Hough.
He wasn't going to compete this season because he's performing at Radio City Music Hall. But it came together perfectly.
"I did get lucky with Derek," she said. "But it only would have worked out if it was with Derek, because we're both in New York."
Liukin is at school full-time at New York University.
"We both have a lot on our plates, but I think it'll be a lot of fun and I'm really looking forward to it," Liukin said.
And what kind of Nastia will we see?
"Obviously, I feel I'm more of a classical, ballroom-type dancer. I don't know if I'll be so good at the cha-cha and the samba and stuff, but it's really fun because it takes me out of my comfort zone," she said.
But don't count on her to bring the sexy on national television.
"I think with me I have a huge following [...] of young gymnasts, so with everything from costume choices to music choices and dances, i definitely want to keep it so my little fans are able to watch," Liukin said.
A classy champ embarking on a new legacy.
