‘I’M LOVING LIFE’ Samuel Johnson on how DWTS is re-invigorating his life
Samuel Johnson opens up about transformative ‘Dancing With the Stars’ performances
Samuel Johnson had never wanted to do reality television. The Molly star famously quit acting in 2016 to concentrate on Love Your Sister, the cancer charity he started in 2012 with his sister Connie Johnson, who passed away in 2017. But then he agreed to go on Dancing with the Stars – mostly as a way of getting publicity for his charity. And now everything has changed. “I can’t remember another time when I was so enthused about something,” a jubilant Johnson, 41, tells WHO. “[ DWTS] has taken over my life. I dived in willingly and it feels better than I could have hoped for. I’m loving it.”
Johnson has an almost childlike, wide-eyed wonder for most things. Like a scene out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Johnson likens his experience on the Network Ten show to “winning the golden ticket”. “It’s a little bit like riding rainbows,” he enthuses. “It’s fantasy land.”
Childlike, yes, but certainly not childish. Johnson is a deep thinker, mulling over his answers. “This doesn’t feel like reality TV,” he says when asked what it’s liking being back on the small screen. “I thought it would be more about reality TV but it’s pretty much just about the dancing for me. I certainly didn’t think I’d end up so inspired by it.”
He may be an amateur but Johnson has impressed with his fancy footwork on the dance floor with partner Jorja Freeman. Not bad for a guy who concedes his dance experience as a youngster was limited to being “frozen to the walls at blue light discos”. There is a sense that the show has been cathartic for Johnson. One of his performances was dedicated to his sister, Connie; a summation of their life as siblings. “She left this extraordinary legacy for the country,” an emotional Johnson said on the show. “It’s not the cancer that’s making me cry it’s all she did for me. The biggest thing she taught me is that now is awesome and to insist on joy.”
For a guy who has had to grieve for his sister in full view of the world, Johnson’s seems to be moving forward in the best way he can – by dancing. “I feel more in tune than ever,” he says. “Dancing exposes you and teaches you a lot about yourself. If you fight, it will crush you. If you avail yourself, emotionally, of the opportunity to dance it will only strengthen you. I’m a wear-my-heart-on-my-sleeve guy. So, dancing suits me because it mops up my bleeding heart.”
Johnson has forged some new friendships on the show. Keen eyes have been quick to notice the chemistry between Johnson and Cassandra Thorburn, the ex-wife of Karl Stefanovic. Johnson describes Thorburn, who split from Stefanovic in 2016, as “gorgeous”.
“We’re as thick as thieves,” he spills. “We love a gossip. We constantly find things to giggle about. In another life, who knows what would have happened?” He adds that he and Thorburn are “great mates” who “flirt well”. “When you’re feeling vulnerable, it’s nice if someone finds you attractive.”
Johnson also has a lot of time for fellow contestant Jett Kenny, the son of Lisa Curry and Grant Kenny. “Everybody has a crush on Jett Kenny and everybody is fighting to adore him the most,” Johnson quips. “He is a superb man with a bright future. Most kids of famous parents are pretty screwy. I’ve known heaps. He has a better head on his shoulders than any other offspring of famous people that I’ve ever met.”
Where his dancing days will lead, Johnson isn’t sure. His immediate concern is to keep pushing Love Your Sister towards the magic $10 million mark – he has $900,000 to go. “My sister told me told my job was to remind every young mum to be breast aware,” he says. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen. I’ll unicycle a long distance, I’ll eat a live huntsman spider and I’ll sure as hell dance my heart out. I’ll do anything to keep our families safe. Who knows what crazy thing will happen?”