Richard Jackson & Miriam Padilla
Richard Jackson
Meet Richard Jackson—Belleville, Illinois native, firefighter extraordinaire, and part-time “Doctor Dolittle.” After graduating from Lebanon High School and earning his Bachelor’s in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University, Richard chased his childhood dream straight into the fire service. Today, he’s a Fire Captain and Paramedic in Maricopa, where he’s been saving lives, helping his community, and occasionally rescuing stray animals for over two decades.
At home, Richard shares the spotlight with his wife Andrea, four grown kids, and three energetic grandchildren who keep life lively, loud, and full of love. When he’s not running into fires or feeding the neighborhood strays, Richard is deeply involved in community efforts, including serving as President of the Maricopa Fire Foundation.
Why dance? Richard has always loved Dancing for Our Stars and jumped at the chance to support local youth—even if it means trading his firefighter boots for dancing shoes. His biggest fear? Missing a step. His biggest thrill? Bringing heart, energy, and a little fire to the dance floor—all for a great cause!
Miriam Padilla
Meet Miriam Padilla—ballet teacher, kindergarten music maestro, and now a fearless dancer for Dancing for Our Stars! Born and raised in New Mexico, Miriam studied Humanities in college and has spent her life inspiring kids of all ages. By day, she teaches tiny hands to make big music; by night, she twirls and leaps with ballet students, spreading confidence, creativity, and joy wherever she goes.
Married for 21 years and mom to four amazing kids (one in college!), Miriam recently said goodbye to her beloved dog Abby and welcomed Bug, a mischievous pup who spends his days guarding the yard and demolishing Amazon boxes. She’s also been mentoring teens for 18 years, watching them grow into incredible young adults.
Fun fact: there’s a video on YouTube of Miriam dressed as a grandma dancing hip hop—yes, it’s as fabulous as it sounds! Dancing for this event is way outside her comfort zone, but with a little sass, a lot of heart, and nerves in tow, Miriam is ready to own the stage!
