Arlene Phillips Reveals the High-Pressure World of Strictly Come Dancing
Arlene Phillips, former judge on Strictly Come Dancing, has shed light on the intense pressure experienced by professional dancers on the popular BBC dance series. As an original judge, Arlene observed the show’s rise to fame, which has recently been marred by controversy.
The sudden departures of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have caused a stir, following an internal inquiry into allegations of misconduct, which both dancers deny. Giovanni firmly opposed claims that he overstepped boundaries while training Amanda Abbington last year. Meanwhile, Graziano faced accusations of ‘kicking’ his partner Zara McDermott, leading to his departure. In his statement, Graziano expressed regret over the events and promised to share his side of the story in due course.
The Pressure of Pairing with Celebrities
Speaking to the Mirror, Arlene revealed the anxiety that professional dancers face when waiting to be paired with celebrities. “Every single one of the pros wants to win. They are palpitating as to who they are going to get. Are they going to get a partner who has danced before? Are they going to get someone who is starting from scratch?” she explained.
Arlene emphasized that the competitive nature of the show mirrors real life. “But that’s life. There’s competition in life,” she insisted.
Arlene’s Advice and Reflections
Arlene, who left the series in 2009 and was replaced by Alesha Dixon, warned about the dark side of the dance world. “I tell everyone I know, if you go into theatre or dancing, beware. You need to take a lot of rejection from a lot of people as people will be mean to you. You need to be able to take a deep breath and just move on,” she advised.
Favorite Celebrity and Upcoming Celebrations
At the West End premiere of Mean Girls, Arlene named Layton Williams as her favorite celebrity contestant in recent years. “I think Layton was an absolute dream booking. I love him. He’s a sweetheart. He’s kind and brilliant and fearless. What a joy he was,” she praised.
Regarding the upcoming 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing, Arlene mentioned she had not been approached for the celebrations yet. “I haven’t even thought about it yet. It will be in September. Right now, I need to get through July and August, I’ve been so busy!”
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Arlene also reflected on her own experiences with bullying at the launch of the new Tina Fey musical, Mean Girls. “I was the bullied girl at school. Not just by the other girls but by the teachers as well because all I wanted to do was dance,” she shared. Despite the discouragement from her teachers, who deemed a career in dance as frivolous, Arlene’s passion for dance remained undeterred.
Arlene Phillips’ insights into the world of Strictly Come Dancing highlight the high stakes and pressures faced by professional dancers. Her reflections on competition, rejection, and perseverance offer a glimpse into the challenging yet rewarding nature of the dance industry. As the show prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, fans eagerly await what the next season will bring.
