The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
‘Dancing With the Stars’ tour hitting Akron
Emma Slater, champion of the most recent season, says she loves life on the road
As a “Dancing with the Stars” veteran, professional dancer Emma Slater admitted she wasn’t sure if she would ever win the reality show and get to hold the Mirrorball. Those concerns were put to rest in the spring, when, along with her partner, NFL running back Rashad Jennings, she was the last dancer standing (or more appropriately, dancing).
“It’s amazing,” said Slater, calling from Washington D.C. “I’ve been doing the show for eight seasons. I’m very competitive. Each time I was trying to win the Mirrorball. Now to have won it is fantastic. I love it.”
That love naturally extends to dance, which Slater began studying at age 5, when she joined a local stage school located in her hometown of Tamworth, England. By the time she turned 16, the talented performer joined the touring cast of “Simply Ballroom” and “Strictly Come Dancing.”
In addition to performing in four West End theater shows, including “Dirty Dancing,” Slater developed a competitive spirit and won both the UK and British Youth Latin American Championships.
A decade ago, Slater appeared in the feature film “Mamma Mia!” Not only did she play a friend of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), but she also sang on the Grammy Award-nominated soundtrack. From there, she was off to Broadway, appearing in the Tony
Award-nominated “Burn the Floor.”
And five years ago, after touring the world with “Burn the Floor,” Slater joined “Dancing with the Stars” as a troupe dancer and choreographer. During her time with the reality show, the professional dancer helped take partner Bill Engvall to the Season 17 finals.
She also danced with the likes of actor Billy Dee Williams, race car driver Michael Waltrip, pop artist Redfoo, Internet personality Hayes Grier and politician Rick Perry. It wasn’t until the most recent 24th season that Slater watched it all come together with Jennings.
“This season I was so blessed to have an amazing partner,” Slater said. “We had great chemistry and a wonderful journey together.”
Now comes Slater’s victory lap — the nationally touring “Dancing with the Stars”: Live! — “Hot Summer Nights,” which comes through Northeast Ohio for a show July 26 at the Akron Civic Theater.
Onstage will be the reality show’s season-24 professional dancers Slater, Lindsay Arnold, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Sasha Farber, Keo Motsepe and Gleb Savchenko.
The touring production also includes this past season’s contestant Heather Morris, who is best known for her role as Brittany
Pierce on hit Fox series “Glee.”
The live show includes every type of ballroom and modern dance seen on ABC’s hit show with group numbers, duets and original pieces choreographed by four-time Emmy Awardnominated choreographer
Mandy Moore.
Considering the tour includes more than 40 dates and comes on the heels of the reality show’s May 23 finals, it’s logical some dancers would view it as a grind. That’s not Slater.
“I love it,” Slater said. “I love traveling. It makes my
day. I love getting on the bus. I don’t mind living out of a suitcase, especially if it means I get to wake up in the morning in a new city and exploring. There’s really nothing not to like.”
Now that she’s a Mirrorball winner, Slater admitted her dancing form and
style is a little bit different.
“I’m dancing a little taller, perhaps,” Slater laughed. “I do feel like it gave me a little bit more confidence. Before I didn’t know if I could do it, but now I’ll never doubt myself again. Now, I know I can do it.”