The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Giovanni Pernice: This Is Me
Dundee Whitehall Theatre, March 15; Arbroath Webster Theatre, March 16
Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice says he has the hit TV show to thank for his solo tour.
The professional from Sicily is on the road with This Is Me, which pays homage to the music and dances that have inspired his career so far – from his beginnings as a competition dancer to appearing on television.
Giovanni has been featuring on Strictly since 2015, partnering celebrities such as Georgia May Foote, Debbie Mcgee and Faye Tozer.
In the most recent series Giovanni was paired with Michelle Visage, who is a judge on the popular TV show Rupaul’s Drag Race, making it all the way to week nine at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom.
Giovanni says: “You know, without Strictly, I wouldn’t get the opportunity to do my own tour.
“It is an amazing feeling to be able to do something I really love as a job. On the show, it’s all about your partner, teaching them to dance and making them look amazing. Letting them shine and hopefully go far in the competition.”
He goes on: “On the tour, it is all about me! This Is Me is about the audiences getting to know me a little better.”
Giovanni was born on the Italian island of Sicily. At the age of 14 he moved to Bologna to train full time in dance.
He first started competing as an adult in 2008, winning competitions across Europe. Specialising in Latin, his greatest achievement was winning the Italian Championships in 2012.
This is Giovanni’s fourth tour and the show features a cast of professional dancers and a varied soundtrack that should have a broad appeal.
He says: “I just want to try to do something different. Something that people haven’t seen before. I want to challenge myself and show off my hidden talents.”
The ballroom star has refused to divulge what these “hidden talents” are, saying all will be revealed on stage.
He says he takes inspiration from Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire and even his fellow Strictly dancer Anton Du Beke.
Giovanni goes on: “One of my biggest idols is Freddie Mercury. He could do everything and he had such a power and incredible energy on stage.”
When it comes to performing, Giovanni wants to give his all: “People are coming to see me, so you want them to enjoy the show and have a good night out. That’s what it is all about.
“But it’s the audience who give you that energy. When there are people every night cheering for you and they appreciate what you are doing, it’s a feeling you can’t describe.
“I feel incredibly blessed to be in this position and I’m lucky – really lucky.”