December 26th 2024.
Gorka Marquez, one of the beloved professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing, recently opened up about the tough reality of being a dancer. In an interview with Metro, the 34-year-old shared about a viral Instagram post from September where he posted a selfie of himself crying. He explained that he felt guilty for leaving his partner Gemma Atkinson and their two children, Mia and Thiago, while he was away for work.
The response to his post was overwhelming, with many praising him for being open, honest, and vulnerable. In a society where toxic masculinity is still prevalent, Gorka's post was a refreshing reminder that it's okay for men to show their emotions. He shared that he posted it to let others know that they are not alone in their struggles.
Gorka also shed light on the sacrifices that come with being a dancer. He left home at the young age of 16 to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer. Although it may seem glamorous on the surface, there are days when he doesn't feel like dancing, just like how someone may not feel like going into the office. He explained that sometimes his body is exhausted from nine hours of rehearsals, and his joints ache, but he has to push through and do it.
His fellow Strictly pro and tour buddy, Karen Hauer, also agrees that being a dancer is tough. Karen, who has been with Strictly since 2012, says that while it's a fantastic job, it requires a lot of hard work behind the scenes. She is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the show and has no plans to leave anytime soon.
Karen also shared that she loves the show and feels fortunate to be a part of it. She believes that there is always a time to bow out, but for now, she's living in the moment and enjoying every year as a new start. Despite being on the air since 2004, Strictly has remained relatively unchanged over the past 20 years, except for a few changes among the professionals and judges.
Gorka, however, has a suggestion to shake things up. He shared that the Spanish version of Strictly has incredibly long episodes, and even when celebrities are eliminated, they still remain on the show as a "time filler." Gorka would love to see the BBC introduce a similar segment, but instead of celebrity guests, he suggests inviting die-hard Strictly fans to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dance on the show. He believes that it would inject new life into the show and help overcome recent scandals.
Aside from Strictly, Gorka's dream show to compete on is the Spanish version of Survivor. He described it as not for the faint-hearted, as contestants are dropped off on an island in Honduras and must survive for three months. The camp is divided into two, with one having better conditions than the other. He shared that the transformations that occur due to the harsh living conditions are incredible.
But for now, Gorka is focused on his upcoming tour with Karen, which runs from February to April. The two of them have known each other for a long time and consider each other as siblings. Karen jokingly says that she is the serious sister, but they do switch roles at times. Despite years of touring together, Karen still hasn't learned how to dodge Gorka's pranks. She shared that he loves to hide her shoes or hold her back before going on stage to make her late.
Karen and Gorka's Speakeasy Tour will be coming to theaters across the UK, and they are excited to share their love for dance with their fans. Whether it's on the dance floor or on a desert island, Gorka is always up for a challenge, and that's what makes him an exceptional dancer and performer.
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