Connell Cruise in ‘dance-off’
Former local star back in country for reality dance series
M-NET has already secured an array of diverse celebrities for its big new reality show Dancing with the Stars South Africa which will kick off early next year. Now, in a major coup for the channel, international singing sensation Connell Cruise has joined the troupe of 12 local stars who will be showcasing their fancy footwork in one of the world’s biggest TV competition series.
Cruise made headline news when he clinched a significant record deal from New York City’s Island records after being spotted by L A Reid, the music industry titan who played a massive role in catapulting the likes of Kanye West, Rihanna, Bon Jovi and Justin Bieber to superstardom.
Before moving to New York and taking the US by storm, performing live for massive crowds, JohannesburgCruise charmed local audiences with his debut hit, Not Just Friends.
The breakthrough was followed by several Sama nominations and 10 successive No 1 radio hits.
Cruise is excited to be back to fly the South African flag high again in Dancing with the Stars SA, saying: “I’m equal parts totally excited and slightly terrified about what’s to come for me on Dancing with the Stars SA. I’m truly thrilled and honoured to be part of this incredible show and I’ll be doing my best to make my wife and all my fans in the country proud.”
But will the popular singer-songwriter be able to outperform Mzansi’s best TV presenter Thembisa Mdoda, acting icon Frank Opperman, agile young actress Juanita du Plessis, former Miss SA and radio presenter Liesl Laurie, Wayde van Niekerk’s super-fit mom, Odessa Starts, and nimble film and TV starlet Zola Nombona?
With seven of the 12 celebrity spots already filled, M-Net viewers are now waiting to hear who the remaining stars will be.
The series, in which 12 untrained local celebrities will put their best foot forward with the help of highly skilled professional latin and ballroom dancers, will commence on M-Net channel 101 on Sunday February 4 next year.