Dancing with the Stars, an internationally acclaimed dance show, has made its way to South Africa. The show debuts on M-Net in February and local stars such as award-winning TV presenter Thembisa Mdoda, actress Zola Nombona and former Miss SA Liesl Laurie will be showing off their dancing talents on our screens.
Joining the show and the judging panel is international choreographer and creative director Jason Gilkison, who will be bringing his expertise to the first and probably the most crucial season of the show.
The Sunday Independent had a chat with Jason about his expectations from one of the grooviest countries ever!
AM: You are a celebrated choreographer. What are some of the things that you plan to bring to the show and to African soil?
JG: I’ve been fortunate to work with South African dancers in many different cities during my career. They are some of the best in the business. I’ve also worked on several different versions of Dancing With The Stars - a show that really excites me. The idea of having both these entities coming together is nothing short of a choreographic dream come true! I am very much a two-way street when I create - I am inspired directly by my dancers. I really want to create something unique and exciting for South Africa. Our rehearsals have been incredible!
AM: South Africa is one place that has a lot of rhythm. Now joining the South African version of the much-acclaimed Dancing with the Stars, what are some of your expectations?
JG: Passion and authenticity are two words that immediately spring to mind - there is definitely a freedom of expression in music in this part of the world that is totally unique. I’ll be asking all the competitors to bring as much of themselves as they can to each and every dance they perform.
AM: What do you look forward to?
JG: I’m really looking forward to seeing how South Africans put their individual stamp on this show.
Dancing with the Stars is the biggest and most popular live television show in the world, where each version differs because of the local sensibilities and culture.
I really can’t wait to see what South African talent can bring! Some of the greatest ballroom and Latin champions of all time have come from this country, so my expectations are pretty high!
AM: Apart from being a choreographer, why did you join the show?
JG: My grandfather actually opened the very first ballroom school in Australia in 1932. He was a bit of a pioneer of dance in Australia and loved the idea of making people fall in love with this beautiful art form.
Through this show, I see his dream realised in front of millions of people, and he would have been so proud to see this.
AM: What does dance mean to you and, in your opinion, to the world?
JG: For me, dancing is the ultimate form of communication. I have my own dance company and love watching dancers who don’t even share the same language converse with their bodies to music.
AM: As a choreographer, what do you look for when working with talent?
JG: I love dancers who commit 100%, absolutely love what they do and get excited every time they move.
@AmandaMaliba