reality tv

From Constance Hall to Courtney Act; what we know about the Dancing with the Stars cast.

 

Our newest reality TV guilty pleasure has officially landed, and we’re pleased to report episode one delivered all the glitter and questionable moves we could have hoped for.

Courtney Act secured herself as the one to beat, topping the leaderboard with a score of 23 out of 30, certifiably blowing the judges, viewers, and maybe even her own dancing partner away.

But while we’ve done some very thorough and important research on the frontrunner, what’s the deal with the rest of the contestants?

Let us introduce you:

Constance Hall

The parenting blogger, author of Like a Queen and mum-of-seven has joined the cast this year, despite a rocky start which saw thousands of trolls target her following the announcement.

So much so – she posted a viral video to her Facebook page detailing the relentless hate she receives whenever she’s featured in mainstream media.

But she’s no stranger to online hate – Constance has more than a million followers on her social media combined and is known for her frank views on parenting.

Her success is largely due to a blog post which went viral in 2016 about the uncomfortable truth behind parenting sex. The post, featured on her blog The Not So Secret Life of Us, described the “3.5 minutes you get in between changing nappies and making food” to get down to it while the kids are “distracted”.

The post thrust her into the international spotlight – with Ashton Kutcher calling himself a fan, posting an article about her on his Facebook page in 2016.

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Words can’t explain the love and warmth you guys have given me since watching my video on the on line bullying I have received over the last few years. Almost 6 million views and thousands and thousands of messages from the men and women that care. I am blown away, I am so healed and feel so loved, you are everything. Now it left me with one feeling. I need to start a campaign. Sticks and Stones is my new campaign, I plan to end bullying in this country forever. Every child deserves to feel safe, at school and on line. We are losing too many children to bullying and it has to stop. I can’t bring the lives back that we have lost but together with you Queens I believe I can save the lives of the future. I’ll be honest, To get this campaign off the ground I need funds. So I have decided to have a sale, 20% shop wide and the funds will help me get this Campaign started. “Sticks and Stones” will be an online series, I will interview politicians on why the fuck the laws don’t protect kids, media outlets on why they admin these horrid comments, facebook etc etc and most importantly the victims and talking to the kids in their community about how they can protect each other from bullying. This is such a huge passion of mine, please spoil yourself with my 20% off sale and contribute to getting this campaign off the ground and help me save the lives of young people that do not deserve this utter bullshit. Just like you saved me ???????? #sticksandstones.social #bekind Link is in the bio Thank you so much. No words. ????

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Cassandra Thorburn

The 47-year-old former journalist received the lowest score on the season’s premiere on Monday night, with a dismal 1/10 from “harsh” British judge Craig Revel Horwood.

Yikes.

But she doesn’t seem disheartened – recently posting to Instagram to express her excitement for her next dance.

She joins the show after a tumultuous year in the headlines, following her divorce after 21 years of marriage from Karl Stefanovic, and his recent re-marriage to Jasmine Yarbrough.

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Cass is a mum-0f-three and a children’s book author.

 

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My favourite pic from today. Thank you @carasereda for a great day together. As usual no planning we just do our thing

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Courtney Act

If you were left wondering who Courtney was and why she looked so familiar after Monday’s ep, we’ve gone deep, watched far too many Australian Idol videos and RuPaul’s Drag Race episodes to help you out. Because research.

Here’s the lowdown on the DWTS frontrunner.

Courtney – a.k.a Shane Gilderto Jenek – is no stranger to our screens. In fact, she first appeared on TV during the first season of Australian Idol way back in 2003, but failed to make the top 12.

Besides reality TV, Courtney also co-owns wig company Wigs by Vanitydesigning wigs with a larger cap than that found in traditional wigs for smaller female heads.

Courtney moved to the United States in 2010 and in 2013 appeared on season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race, finishing as joint runner-up.

 

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Golden Girls on the Golden Coast!

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Samuel Johnson

Perhaps one of the more unlikely contestants, Samuel Johnson is a Gold Logie winner whose face was plastered across our television screens in the 90s… And beyond, really.

THAT’S why he looks so familiar.

From Home and Away, to Blue Heelers, Halifax FP and The Secret Life Of Us – he starred in a huge chunk of our iconic nightly watching. As he will continue to do on Dancing With the Stars for weeks, we’re sure.

His passion these days lies in cancer research, following his sister Connie’s diagnosis when he was just 10 years old. The siblings founded a charity together called Love Your Sister, which raised more than $8.6 million last year. Sadly, Connie passed away in September 2017, but Samuel has continued the work in her honour.

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Michelle Bridges

The personal trainer, TV star, author, nutrition guru and super mum joins the cast this year.

Michelle is married to fellow TV personality Steve “Commando” Wills, who she met when they both appeared as trainers on the Biggest Loser.

Their adorable son, Axel, is three years old.

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We can only imagine how proud he would have been watching his mum slay in her Xena the Warrior Princess get-up on Monday.

 

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My one. ❤️????????????

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Jett Kenny

Okay, we’ll be honest…

We definitely had to Google “who is Jett Kenny” because all we truly knew about him was that he’s well, very attractive and likes to take his shirt off.

Behold:

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Two in one day, soz

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Turns out, the 23-year-old lifesaver is the son of Olympic swimming gold medallist Lisa Curry and ironman Grant Kenny. Oh.

He’s also… pretty popular on Instagram for reasons (ahem, see above).

Olympia Valance

Now here’s a face you’ll definitely recognise.

Olympia – whose sister is singer and 2000s pop icon Holly Valance – is certainly no stranger to the small screen.

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The actress and model has appeared on Neighbours, played a sassy WAG on Playing for Keeps and made a name for herself in the modelling world as a L’Oreal ambassador.

She’s also proven early on to be the contestant whose costumes are going to make us want to quit our day jobs and become dancers ourselves.

 

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All you need is love … and great hair @lorealpro • @pjthomsen @rossandrewartha #ColorMeFrench

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Denise Scott

Known for her wry sense of humour and on-point delivery, Denise Scott is a stand-up comedian, actor and television presenter – currently taking up a spot on Network Ten’s Studio 10 panel.

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At 63, Denise is the oldest celebrity taking part in this season and has been training up to six hours a day. Go Denise!

Fun fact – before Denise became a familiar face on the Aussie comedy scene, she was a drama and English teacher.

And probably a favourite of students at that.

 

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One is a comedian. The other a professional dancer. The question is who’s who? #DWTSau

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Jimmy Rees

Or, as parents are more like to know him, Jimmy Giggle, of hit ABC Kids’ show, Giggle And Hoot.

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The 31-year-old children’s entertainer has starred on the hugely popular show since 2009, regular taking the live instalment across Australia.

Now, the “cool dad” of three will be cutting shapes on grown-up prime time TV, and we think he could be the dark horse of the competition…

Miguel Maestre

Spanish chef and cheeky TV personality Miguel Maestre is bringing the heat from the kitchen to the dancefloor.

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Maestre is best known for presenting Miguel’s Feast, Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen and Boys Weekend, as well as co-hosting the lifestyle television series The Living Room.

He’s the one with the Spanish accent, who cooks yummy food and looks like this:


Curtly Ambrose

Again, sorry sir, but we didn’t know who you were…

Turns out he’s a pretty big deal in the cricketing world (which kinda explains it – sorry cricket fans).

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The 55-year-old from Antigua played 98 Test matches for the West Indies,  and was “the most lethal pace bowler of his generation”.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

He’s also EXTREMELY tall.

Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 7.30pm on Ten.