Why Demi is dancing her way back to happiness
FROM her ‘darkest days’ just three years ago, Mallow student and actress Demi Isaac Oviawe is now not just a rising star of the small screen, she’s the darling of ‘Dancing With The Stars’.
The Davis College student told this week how, having lost her mum when she was just five-years-old, she also lost her dad, Joe, when she was 15. However, a ‘random’ audition led her into a part in the hit TV show ‘Young Offenders’ and it has turned her life around.
“It 100% changed my life. Three years ago dad died, I went through a dark, angry time. Then, the following summer, I auditioned for something completely random and today I’m doing Dancing With The Stars. It was the silver lining on my darkest days.”
Now with a hectic life, Demi had her best week yet last Sunday on DWTS. Yet, even through her streak of success, it’s not been all plain sailing for the Nigerian-born teen.
“Growing up being a black girl, or being any race or different from everyone else, you’re going to get [offensive, bullying] comments,” she said. “It’s not even to do with my race anymore ... It is hard but you learn how to brush it aside.”
On Monday, the Davis College pupil was on a school visit – to St Mary’s – where she received a rousing reception.
DANCING With The Stars popular contestant Demi Isaac Oviawe received the ‘mother of all welcomes’ with rapturous applause when she made a guest appearance at St. Mary’s Secondary School in Mallow on Monday afternoon.
The Young Offenders actress, who is a Davis College student in the town, was invited to St. Mary’s by the current Strictly Come Banking Transition Year team led by the group’s CEO, Ashling Cronin.
Students from First and Second year as well as Rang Reitlin students with additional needs and TY year girls gathered in the sports hall for the special occasion.
Demi was openly moved by the response and welcome she received, and took a question and answer session before zumba dance instructor Teresa ‘Zumba’ Napier led all students in several dance routines. In her address, Demi said she enjoyed the venture on the live television show and was able to balance her studies and dance rehearsals very evenly, and hopes to continue to escape elimination as much as possible.
Before Demi left the building she received a presentation of a bouquet of flowers from TY student Grainne O’Leary before returning to hectic rehearsals for the popular television show.
Demi told last Sunday’s Irish Mirror newspaper that she can feel her late parents watching over her as she performs on Dancing With The Stars. The Nigerian-born actress tragically lost her mum Joy to breast cancer when she was just five and her father, Joe, died three years ago when she was 15.
Demi now lives with her four younger brothers and stepmother, her father’s former partner, Kim Carroll, and her father’s brother, Courage.
Leaving Cert student Demi said she was thinking of her dad when she performed the chacha with professional partner Kai Widdrington on her dance floor debut.
Although it appeared she became emotional after hearing the judges’ comments, she revealed it was due to feeling a connection to her parents. “I can feel they are looking down on me,” she told the Irish Sunday Mirror. “When I was doing the cha-cha there were moments when I could hear my dad’s voice calming me down before I did the dance.
“I could hear him saying my name. When I looked up with Kai, I could see him smiling. I don’t believe in that kind of stuff and that’s why I got emotional.
“I got emotional because, first of all, I did the dance quite well and second of all I made my dad happy because it was my first proper show. I could see him smiling down and being absolutely delighted with me.”
Demi does find the eliminations “nerve-wracking” but loves performing live. The 18-year-old said: “At the dress rehearsals I’m very nervous but when you actually go out and see the crowd and feel the energy there is just a rush of adrenaline.
“The judges are really nice. Everything they say I’m taking on board.”
And her stepmother Kim, who she calls mum, is a huge support to her.
Demi’s late father told her to pursue her dreams but to always make sure she had a solid education and the multi-tasking Demi is focused on pursuing her twin goals.
“The school [Davis College] is very supportive. I go back to Mallow on a Sunday night and go in on Monday and get all my work and get the train back up that evening or Tuesday morning.
“It’s a lot to do but I feel like I’ve been doing it for the last two years, especially with the Young Offenders there was times when I wouldn’t be in school for three or four days of the week.”
However, her role in the hit comedy show has had a huge impact on her life. “It 100% changed my life. Three years ago dad died, I went through a dark, angry time. Then, the following summer, I auditioned for something completely random and today I’m doing Dancing With The Stars. It was the silver lining on my darkest days,” she said.
However, Demi admitted there has been some downsides to being famous and spoke of the abuse she has received on social media.
She said: “Growing up being a black girl, or being any race or different from everyone else, you’re going to get comments. A lot of it was like, ‘Oh, you’re a black b****h’, you’re this, you’re that.
“When you’re in the limelight and on social media, there’s people who can’t say it to your face and they just take it to a different level. It’s not even to do with my race anymore.
“There is a comment saying Kai has no chance this year, I should have gone the first week, I have no rhythm, no co-ordination – the usual stuff.
“It is hard but you learn how to brush it aside.”
Meanwhile, Demi admitted she can’t wait to get back into character on the Young Offenders set. “I honestly don’t know when we’re starting but I just can’t wait go back and be Linda Walsh and put Demi to rest so she can go for a little nap.”