SNAPCHAT with Julz Tocker

My first job was . . . working for my godfather at his Superette “Woods For Goods” in Wellington’s Molesworth St. I think he paid me in food and lollies, but then I just enjoyed being around people and learning how to use the till, give change, counting, customer service, I think was about 8 years old! My godfather is such a great peopleperson I think I learnt a lot from those days, and how to be with customers.

It taught me . . . how to communicate with clients for later in life. It drove me to start my own businesses walking dogs in Karori, and selling Milo on the street to the neighbours. It gave me the bug to start working young.

My big break came . . . when I got the job on Dancing With the Stars USA! It was a dream come true. I always wanted to live in America and work in entertainment.

The last job I quit was . . . working for a dance company in Australia. I quit because I got my first ever job in a show on stage at Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast. And then I moved to London straight after that, to continue to dance, act, etc. The most famous person I’ve ever met is . . . when I was working on La La Land, teaching Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Also Goldie Hawn and her family. I’m close with Goldie, and every year we perform together at her charity event. We have become very good friends. She was. . . one of the most amazing humans in the world, and I’m very lucky to have her in my life.

The best time I’ve had on set/stage was . . . playing Johnny on Dirty Dancing for the US tour, and now being a judge on Dancing With The Stars in New Zealand. It’s so good to be back on home soil doing what I love.

But the worst was . . . when a dancer’s wig once got attached to my costume on Broadway. It was ripped off her head!

My dream role would be . . . to be in X-Men or a Marvel feature film. I love this brand, and always have since I was a kid. I want to be Wolverine’s son, or play a character with some insane superpower. I love the shows Arrow and The Flash. Any of these and I would be happy.

See Julz Tocker on

Sundays 7pm and Mondays 7.30pm, on Three.