sign in sign up
<<
Home , Artem Chigvintsev, Brian Fortuna, Burn the Floor, Dancing with the Stars, Kara Tointon

We introduced opportunity for me. I had to really about what my friends would prove myself, with an interview say. We don’t understand, at that you to “Strictly” and an audition, and I was so age, how blessed we’ll be to be professional Robin excited when I got through.” dancing with a girl all the time! However, Jared was almost “I was really bad to begin with, Windsor in our stolen away before “Strictly” but my mum told me to try it July issue. Now, audiences could get a glimpse for a month. At the end of the of him. “Even though I’ve done a month, I’d made loads of friends Marianka Swain lot of work in the US, “Dancing – dancing is so sociable – and asks the two other with the Stars” hadn’t heard of I won a mini competition. That new boys, Artem me. When it was announced that convinced me to stick with it, I was in ‘Strictly’, they suddenly and then I met the first girl I ever Chigvintsev and asked: ‘Who is this guy? Why had a crush on, and that was it. Jared Murillo, about haven’t we spotted him?’ I’m so blessed that my parents “They actually contacted me got me into ballroom, and have joining the cast and tried to persuade me to come been supporting me ever since.” and what they’re on their show instead. I turned them down, as I’d made the ared also took his first planning to do with commitment to ‘Strictly’, and I’m steps because of his family, their celebrities really glad I came to that decision. J although his inspiration It’s fantastic for me to have the was his older siblings: “I saw chance to go somewhere new, them in a recital doing hip hop, rtem Chigvintsev and Jared dance for a British audience and and I wanted to learn it too. I then Murillo have just come get to know the amazing cast over started tap, jazz and ballroom, A off set after a gruelling here, and I love London – you and I kept going with ballroom eight-hour day of rehearsals. don’t need a car to get around! because… well, you get to dance “It’s definitely tiring,” admits – very different to California.” with a girl! At school dances, all Artem. “But I really don’t mind. Artem did guest appearances the girls wanted me to show them This is a dream come true!” on “”, but it what to do. I actually had a lot of The invitation to join this wouldn’t have been possible for support from my male friends, year’s cast of “Strictly Come him to compete. “I was dating a as I did sports as well – baseball, Dancing” gives Artem a second judge [] at the soccer, ski racing – so that made chance to live that dream. “I was time,” he explains. “But I’m really it easier for them to accept me.” approached for the previous series, glad to be on ‘Strictly’ – it’s the He went on to pursue a career but unfortunately, I had other best you can get in our business. in music, as well as ballroom, commitments. I then started the It makes the hard work worth it.” Jared is in a boyband called V world tour of , so I He began his commitment to Factory – “although I’m taking a didn’t expect anything. When my ballroom in Moscow, “where it’s break to do ‘Strictly’”– and put ➤ agent called to say that “Strictly” snowing eight months a year. As had asked me again, I was so a little kid, I would get home late “We’re the new guys, Mad happy. I decided then that I had from school, because I was running which can be hard! to do whatever it took to make around with the other guys, having it possible this time around.” snowball fights. My parents were We’ll definitely bring Jared first heard about “Strictly” worried about not knowing where something different, about try-outs from a couple of friends I was, so they told me they were who were keen to audition. taking me somewhere interesting but I’d never take “Then my agent got in touch and – and they took me to dance anything away from New boys: (left) said they were looking for new class. At first, I thought it was and Jared Murillo (right) the boys All photographs © BBC dancers, and it could be a great terrible, as I was really worried the other pros” october 2010 \ DANCEToday \ 21 his song-and-dance skills to but thinks he and his partner competing and you’re having is quick and staccato, and in , good use as a principal dancer will be able to handle it: “We just fun and I’m looking forward to you get to bounce around and in the High School Musical films. have to be open to constructive connecting with a new audience.” show a lot of personality: I think “It was such a surprise when it criticism.” Artem fears he might Artem hopes the British audience they’re both crowd-pleasers.” became this huge phenomenon,” take it personally. “It’s my job will accept them: “We’re the Artem loves the paso doble. he explains. “I was in California, to teach my partner, and I’m new guys, which can be hard! “It’s really about strong male and my parents told me to come responsible for them, so I may We’ll definitely bring something and female roles – it’s the most back to Utah to audition for this be a bit defensive,” he explains. different, but I’d never take masculine dance for the leader, film. I was competing, and didn’t “But the judges are there to anything away from the other and the follower can show both want to, but they persuaded me. help you, not put you down, and pros. We’ll just have to do our beauty and drama, but there’s I’m so glad they did! It’s fantastic it’s great to have things to work best and hope it works out.” something in every dance that I that, after having this musical- on, otherwise you get lazy. As for the dances, Jared is love. If you get a good chemistry theatre void for so long, it’s “I’m a bit of a workaholic, and most enthusiastic about doing between you, you really get to back in fashion. I’m so lucky to I want to do the best job I can cha cha cha and jive: “They’re the heart of ballroom dancing.” be in the industry right now.” possibly do. I love teaching when both fun, party dances. Cha cha Artem agrees: “I’ve been the person really wants it – that’s oth Artem and Jared have blessed to be born at the peak of the greatest feeling you can have. had relationships with At the launch show on September 11 “I don’t think it ballroom dancing’s exposure. It’s So, if they want to, I’ll be there co-stars or fellow dancers Artem was partnered with B great that it’s become so popular rehearsing 15, 20 hours a day! always works in the past: Artem with dance with a new generation – and And I don’t mind doing things out dancing with partner Giselle Peacock and shows like ‘Strictly’, ‘Dancing “If she’s an actor, He would love to have a partner over and over and over again, Jared with High School Musical’s your wife or your with the Stars’ and ‘So You I can use her who wants to entertain the crowd even if we’re getting sick of it. Ashley Tisdale and Ashley Galvan Think You Can Dance’ definitely and have fun. (As we later find out, At the end of the day, the more girlfriend. Obviously, of “Dancing with the Stars”. Are help, showing different sides performance ability; he is partnered with former “Corrie” effort we put in, the better they’ll they hoping to develop a special it helps to have some of ballroom, with contemporary if she’s an athlete, star Tina O’Brien.) “That’s my way look when they’re performing.” chemistry with their “Strictly” music and real emotional content, of teaching – you learn more Jared admits that he sometimes attraction between partner? “A good relationship, she’ll be able misses competing at a high as well cool tricks and lifts.” when you’re having a good time you… but it can get definitely,” says Jared. “I’m looking As a contestant on the first to do physically and the audience feeds off that level, but he says “Strictly” offers forward to working with someone series of “So You Think You Can energy. My big inspiration is James the best of both worlds. “You’re a bit much” completely new, and getting to Dance” in the US, Artem flew the demanding moves. Brown, the ultimate entertainer. know them well.” flag for ballroom. Will he bring You have to find You can tell he’s really feeling the Artem believes you have to his reality-show experience to music and living the moment.” be careful not to get too close: “Strictly”? “I think doing that show, the star potential in Artem says he’ll try to play “I don’t think it always works out and also doing Burn The Floor, has every person” to his partner’s strengths: dancing with your wife or your given me a greater understanding “I’ve taught Hollywood actors girlfriend. Obviously, it helps to of what the audience responds to. the relationship between a man how to dance back in LA, so have some attraction between you, “In ‘Strictly’, I’m there for my and a woman, and communicating I understand someone in the so you can tell a story and have celebrity, and I really want to that to the audience.” spotlight trying something out of a strong bond, but it can get a bit develop a partnership with them.” He admits he’ll be nervous their comfort zone. But everyone much, seeing them all day at the (Neither of us knew when we for the first show, but thinks brings something to the show. studio and then at home as well.” spoke that he was to be paired that’s a good thing: “If you’re If she’s an actor, I can use her One “Strictly” couple that with “Eastenders” pin-up Kara not nervous, you’re dead!” Jared performance ability; if she’s famously made that commitment Tointon.) “People love the show has a strategy for coping with an athlete, she’ll be able to do work is and Ali because they see someone nerves: “I try to block it out and physically demanding moves. You Bastian, who starred together struggle to learn something new tell myself it’s just a rehearsal, have to find the star potential in Burn The Floor. Did they give and they relate to that, and then otherwise I psych myself out. in every person, draw it out of Artem any tips when he was they share that person’s joy when That’s what I’ll say to my celebrity. them and help them look good.” Jared’s celebrity partner is “Coronation working with them? “Yes. Ali said they succeed. But, ultimately, it’s It’s just you in your own world, Jared admits the judging Street” actress, Tina O’ Brien the golden rule is make it easy not about the steps – it’s about doing your thing and enjoying it.” process might be nerve-wracking, for your partner!” he smiles. l ➤

22 / www.dance-today.co.uk october 2010 \ DANCEToday \ 23 This year’s celebrity line-up – who will you be voting for? Back row, from left to right: , Gavin Henson, Goldie, starring... Kara Tointon, , Michelle Williams, Jimi Mistry, Peter Shilton Strictly and . Front row, from left to right: Paul Daniels, Patsy Kensit, Tina O’Brien, and Ann Widdecombe

To keep up with the latest “Strictly” gossip, visit www. dance-today.co.uk for Marianka Swain’s new blog “Strictly speaking”

24 / www.dance-today.co.uk october 2010 \ DANCEToday \ 25