Demi’s ‘dance with my father’ brings emotional response from DWTS judges
YOUNG Offenders star Demi Isaac Oviawe, from Mallow, paid a deeply moving tribute to her late father with a rumba with partner Kai Widdrington to Luther Vandross’ ‘Dance With My Father’ on Dancing With The Stars on Sunday last. They scored 16 for the routine.
Judge Loraine, fighting back tears, said there were moments of real beauty in the dance. “You just touched everybody here in the studio and at home,” she added.
Just last week, Demi revealed that she can feel her late parents watching over her as she performs on the show. 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.
The Davis College, Mallow, Leaving Cert student Demi said she was thinking of her dad when she performed the cha-cha with professional partner Kai Widdrington on her dance floor debut. “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,” said Demi after the first show. “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’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.
After her performance on Sunday last, Judge Julian commended Demi’s strength and courage and said she connected with the music “beautifully and emotionally”. He said the “magic was in the imperfection” of her performance.
Judge Brian saluted Demi’s bravery. He said he could see she had put “a lot of work” into the dance and urged her to continue her upward trajectory.
Presenter and entrepreneur Darren Kennedy and his professional dance partner Karen Byrne became the third couple to be eliminated on Sunday last. Darren and reigning champion Karen had earned 18 points from the judges on Sunday night for their Salsa, but they did not receive enough votes from the public to stay in the RTÉ One competition.