Page 78 - Woman's Weekly - New Zealand (January 2020)

shortBLONDE

KERRE McIVOR

Private

DANCER

SOME THINGS ARE BETTER DONE
WHEN NOBODY’S WATCHING

inally, finally the call came. weekend, I allowed myself to I’d know what I was doing.
Well, not so much a call dream. I dared to believe that People seem to make
Fas a text. It came while a professional dancer – I was lifelong friends when they
I was having lunch with an old hoping for Jonny or Aaron go on as well – and who
friend and although I don’t like – could take this stocky little doesn’t want to make
responding to my phone when body, one that was strong and more friends? Previous
I’m with my friends, somehow efficient but hardly elegant, competitors have raved
I knew this one was important. and make it a thing of grace and about how much they
The ping of the text alert beauty. That me, Kerre Maree enjoyed it, and every
seemed portentous. So McIvor, who’d never had so time I’ve been asked to
I excused myself and opened much as one single ballet do something out of the
my messages. lesson, who had learned the ordinary – a marathon for
And there it was. A short Gay Gordons in time for instance, or writing a book,
text asking if I’d consider the Sacred Heart/St John’s or climbing Kilimanjaro – I’ve
putting up my hand to join the school ball and that was it, done it and it’s turned out to
cast of Dancing with the Stars. would be able, at the end be an incredible experience.
It was a dream come true. Other of three months, to call herself But then reality kicked in.
reality shows have asked me to a dancer. This was a fantasy. A glorious,
participate in the past and I’ve I saw myself in bejewelled long-held fantasy. And just like
had no trouble saying no to chiffon gowns, floating around the fantasy of me and George
them. Celebrity Treasure Island? the dance floor in the arms of a Clooney on the shores of Lake
No thank you. The last thing handsome man. I imagined an Como, it should stay in my
the nation needs is to see me exuberant jive and a sexy tango. head. I probably wouldn’t be
in a bikini, abandoned on an Camilla and Julz, and even the brilliant. I’d probably cry when
island and deprived of creature caustic and beautiful Rachel, Rachel criticised me. I’d be
comforts. Hangry Kerre is not would rise as one and applaud exposed as a fraud. And yes,
a nice person. me before giving me perfect 10s. while I have always wanted to
But Dancing with the Stars! The glitter ball would be mine! learn to dance, there’s a far
I’ve watched the show since it I was setting myself up easier way than doing it in front
first screened. It’s my one guilty for a future in which the very of the eyes of a nation. I could
pleasure. I love seeing the men next time a man approached sign up for private lessons, as
and women transform, to face my husband and asked I’ve been saying I’ll do for years,
the very real fear of looking like “Permissio?”, I’d be able to take and bring the same level of
a fool on TV, and to overcome to the dance floor and wow him. commitment and training that
those fears and become dancers. Admittedly, it’s only happened I would as one of the cast.
I squeaked in excitement the once, about 20 years ago So, on the Monday, I returned
and told my mate, who was very when we were holidaying in the text and declined with
supportive. The Irishman was Cuba, and there have been regret. Very real regret. And
less supportive but then he’s not no further requests, but still, signed up for dance lessons
a fan of the show. The entire the next time it happened, the very same day.

76 New Zealand Woman’s Weekly