Hayley Holt Confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing + Photos

All Black captain Richie McCaw’s girlfriend Hayley Holt has been confirmed as a professional dancer for the 2008 series of UK celebrity dance show Strictly Come Dancing.



Hayley is a popular pro on the New Zealand version of Dancing with the Stars, not only for her lithe body but also for rumours of romances with Olympic gold medal swimmer Danyon Loader and former Tall Black and morning television host Brendon Pongia.

Hayley partnered muso Peter Urlich in the 2008 season of DWTS, but they were the second contestants to be eliminated from Dancing with the Stars.


Hayley also took out the title on Celebrity Treasure Island: Pirates of the Pacific and has been named New Zealand’s sexiest woman in an online poll.



According to Sunday Star Times, Hayley didn’t make the initial cut in her audition for SCD, and nor did two-time New Zealand Dancing with the Stars winner Stefano Olivieri.

Stefano had been talking grandly about entertaining offers for a UK dance show, but it seems his enthusiasm may have got ahead of the facts. Does that sound familiar to anyone after Stefano claimed to be the only professional to win back to back DWTS titles?

Stefano’s dance partner Natalie Lowe did make the cut, but pulled out, leaving an opening for The H-Bomb. Hayley will be replacing Nicole Cutler, who was unexpectedly dropped from the line up.

Hayley can expect a healthy bank balance at the end of the three month season. The professionals each take home £30,000 (approximately NZ$78,600) for their efforts over the 14 week period.

The UK show screens two nights a week with a separate elimination show where the professionals perform exhibition dances. There is also an opportunity to boost the pay cheque with the Strictly Come Dancing Tour which travels the UK after the television season ends.

Kiwi Brendan Cole is also confirmed for the sixth season of SCD.

Photos: TVNZ

Learn to Waltz with Stefano Olivieri

2007 and 2008 Dancing with the Stars winner Stefano Olivieri will be teaching beginners to intermediate ballroom dancing workshops this weekend in Auckland.

There will be two 45 minute lessons including Cha Cha, Samba, Tango and Waltz for $35 per student. Numbers are limited to 20 students per class. Visit City Dance's website for more information and bookings.


Photos: TVNZ

Stefano Olivieri for Strictly Come Dancing?

Dancing with the Stars 2007 & 2008 winning professional Stefano Olivieri has said that he is

weighing up jobs on television dance shows in London and Australia - proof that there is a career to be found among the "charm, charisma, and manners" of dancing.

Sounds like he could be in contention for UK’s version of DWTS, Strictly Come Dancing.

Stefano has previously said he plans to stay in New Zealand so watch this space.

Snowboarder Hayley Holt has also put her name forward for Strictly Come Dancing.


Photos: TVNZ, Source Nelson Mail

See Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Live

Dancing with the Stars champion Temepara George and her partner Stefano Olivieri will be at Westfield Albany today in aid of Autism New Zealand.

Geoff Sewell (ex opera band Amici Forever) will also be performing.

Catch them live at 1pm at Westfield Albany, 219 Don McKinnon Drive, Albany.

P.S. If anyone takes photographs of this event, we’d love to have copies or a guest review from you for the website. Please email us!


Photos: TVNZ

Stefano Olivieri staying in NZ

Stefano Olivieri had an amazing achievement taking out series three and four of Dancing with the Stars with partners Suzanne Paul and Temepara George.

He’s been claiming he is the first professional dancer in the world to achieve back to back wins, however our research shows that at least five other dancers have achieved consecutive wins:

• Cheryl Burke won seasons 2 and 3 of the U.S. version
• Julianne Hough won seasons 4 and 5 of the U.S. version
• Kelly Kainz won seasons 2 and 3 of the Austrian version
• Aleksi Seppänen won seasons 2 and 3 of the Finnish version
• Remco Bastiaansen won seasons 1 and 2 of the Netherlands version

We’re bound to be seeing more of Stefano after he told GayNZ he plans to make Auckland his home. He appeared yesterday on TVNZ's Good Morning show performing a pas de deux with Astar, and will be appearing at Westfield's Albany shopping centre on the 29th of April.

There have also been whispers that Stefano has been invited to be a judge on the next series, however TVNZ spokesperson Melanya Burrows said it was too early to say whether there would be a fifth season. Stefano has been hinting that he will have another role with TVNZ is in the near future.


Photos: TVNZ

Temepara & Stefano’s Friendship

The love-fest between Dancing with the Stars champion Temepara George and partner Stefano Olivieri spilled over to the couch on TVNZ’s Good Morning show.

While Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti had plenty of fresh air between them during their interview, Temepara and Stefano sat close together, maintaining physical contact through most of the interview, frequently patting each other on the thigh. Frank Bunce said last year that a lot of dancers are very touchy-feely, as his explanation for the physical intimacy with Miss Friendly Hands, Krystal Stuart, so perhaps that's the reason for this display of obvious closeness. In interviews with Breakfast and Good Morning, Teme has said she's going to have 'Stefano withdrawals' now the show has ended.

This week people were wondering what was going on when Stefano said he’d put his hand up for Teme if she wasn’t already taken. He has a reputation for being a prankster (and is openly gay), so let’s hope he was just joking. It’s not entirely clear whether Sione saw the funny side.

In their interview, self-confessed control freak Stefano said that he doesn’t consult his partners over the choice of music or choreography, as that’s his area of expertise. Turns out he’s pretty quick at choreography, often deciding the routine in as little as 15 minutes. He also said there were no lifts in the first weeks because Teme was too heavy!

One interesting little gem of gossip emerged from the interview. As most people already know, the contestants choose their music from a list provided by TVNZ. Last year the decisive Stefano got in first with his picks every week, so he always had the first choice of music for his celebrity. TVNZ were forced to change their system this year to make it fairer for the celebs.


Photos: TVNZ

Temepara George wins Dancing With The Stars 2008

There were lots of surprises in tonight’s final of Dancing with the Stars with Temepara George saying it was a-ma-zing to win. Gorgeous Teme looked tearful in her colour-coordinated dress as she grasped the glittering ball and struggled to find words.

Stefano Olivieri wasn’t lost for words for a single moment, and made the point that he is the first professional to win the trophy back to back. Presumably he means in New Zealand because Cheryl Burke won seasons two and three of the United States version, and Julianne Hough won seasons four and five.

Tonight the past contestants from this season and past seasons were on-stage including Brendon The Body Pongia. Sorry Monty, you might have the pecs but Brendon oozes sex appeal. The highlight of the evening has to be Candy Lane dancing with “the boys”. Highly entertaining and original.

Other highlights

• Turns out Temepara George is sexy enough to turn a gay man straight


• Candy Lane reveals herself as a lady of the night, and definitely not of the day after poor Candy’s wrinkled neck was shown in the makeup room. Oops. Guess botox doesn’t make it to the neck


• Lots of sexy costumes, plus Tina Cross in a lampshade


• Rob Guest tried to eat the microphone and wins the don’t get caught when the wind changes award for anguished facial expressions


• The ego finally landed with Stefano changing the words of their final song to say “I am Stefano’s creation”. Someone hand Miss Prozac a barf bag.


• Tina Cross embarrassed the heck out of Jason when she outclassed him in a singing duet; there should be no tomorrow for Jase and his microphone.

Candy Lane in a Brothel

Candy Lane and the “boys” danced in a brothel. Miss Prozac is trying hard not to read too much into this intriguing symbolism.

Brendan Cole danced while Candy hugely overacted and wore her knickers over black stockings and stilettos. Aaron Gilmore, Brian Jones, Jonny Williams and Brendon Pongia joined in the action and shared Candy around. Even a slimmed down showed a small sign of hip movement while Candy gryated around him. And let’s face it, no one does the chest thrust quite like our Rodney.

Then Brendan (Cole this time) muscles back in for a tango with Candy who is trying desperately to look like a 15 year old. But don’t worry Brendan got her for her sins and slaughtered her.



Round 1 – New choreography of a dance

Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Quickstep

The video previews show a serious Monty Betham counting the beat in last week’s Tango plus his rehearsals with miss pixie ears Nerida Jantti. Contrary to Miss Prozac’s fears that the final would be a whitewash, Monty stepped up to the plate and gave lively and entertaining performances.

The first few seconds of the quickstep looked uncomfortable but once in hold, Monty looked more confident however one has to wonder what the judges were drinking. The quickstep lacked lightness; Monty galloped across the floor instead of springing. But the judges all loved it.

Brendan was the only judge to point out the awkward beginning but thought it was bang on once they got into it. Alison blinded us with her mirrored jacket and then gabbled on about how proud Monty and his wife should be. Craig accused Muscles of being a sly underdog who was showing far too much improvement. Paul Mercurio agreed and said it was a lot better.

Score: 33


Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Foxtrot

TVNZ flew partner Sione to New Zealand, presumably to protect Teme from the amorous Stefano Olivieri. Lots of references to their close friendship and a very stoic Sione seated in the front row. He may be wanting to tackle Smirky Stefano after the show.

Temepara George looked delicious in pink and did an elegant and graceful foxtrot. Not technically perfect but a huge improvement on earlier weeks and lovely to watch.

Craig said she put the fox in foxtrot and had magnificent musicality. Paul said it was elegant and seamless. Wonderful, a pleasure to watch. Brendan said she had star quality, smooth, sophisticated and absolutely gorgeous. Miss Prozac was too blinded by Alison’s jacket to notice what she said.



Round 2 – Favourite Dance

Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Paso Doble

Once again wearing the black bolero jacket (has no one told TVNZ bolero jackets on sloping shoulders are a no no?) while Nerida dazzled in orange. Still love the choreography of this paso but somehow it didn’t live up to the excitement of last week’s action. The caping action was superb, characterisation was good and the intensity was there too. Monty swung Nerida around by her hand and foot and into the hearts of the judges. However, Miss Prozac is far more interested in knowing when Nerida will be announcing her pregnancy.

Paul said you lived the dance. Fantastic. Brendan thought it was a step up, energy and shaping magnificent. Alison says if she was the bull she’d run the other way. The only place Alison would be running is to the bedroom to turn back the sheets. Craig thought it was fabulous and really, really brilliant.

Score: 38


Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Samba

Wearing pink again, Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri wriggled and shimmied to the Samba party dance. There were a couple of moments when the synchronisation wasn’t there and it wasn’t as good as their performance the last time they did it. The Samba ended in the upside down fandango Stefano loves so much that he put it in both Suzanne Paul and Teme’s routines.

Jason talks once again about the love and friendship between the two. Quelle surprise they’re going to be friends for life.

Alison felt like she went to Brazil and made some corny joke about him being a travel agent. Craig said it was almost perfect, amazing bounce action, just a little error coming around the corner.

Paul said you really have grown as an artist and a performer. ‘Triffic’. Well done. Brendan felt some of the transitional movements were lacking, and not your best performance but both fantastic together. Hooray, some common sense.

Hmmm and then Stefano said that Sione was the luckiest man on earth and that if Teme wasn’t taken he’d be putting his hand up for her. Huh? Guess Craig Revel-Horwood is right when he says she’s sexy enough to turn a gay man straight.

Score: 36



Round 3 Freestyle

Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Samba variations

Nerida Jantti mounts Muscles and piggy backs onto stage with her arms out like a crucifix and wearing a skimpy tasselled costume. It was no match for Miriama Smith’s sizzling Samba costume but was still pretty hot. They looked like they were having fun, but unfortunately we had already seen two superior samba dances this evening, and the music was heh heh heh heh awful. Hang on, was that it? It’s over already. Where was the variation? The light and shade? Even Monty admits he didn’t do it justice.

Jason Gunn congratulates Monty on his muscles and his lack of dress and pixie Nerida loyally says Muscles did well.

Brendan says Monty is a legend and loved Nerida. Paul loved the opening image, fast and furious movements, you pushed it right to the end. Craig didn’t think it was possible to base an entire routine around one step – the shimmy – and said he was loving it daaaaarling. Alison loved the music and made more smutty remarks about there being nothing on Monty that is going to rust.

Score: 37


Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri

The smirkster has made a big secret of this dance refusing to reveal the style of dance for the piece de resistance, which means it better be good, or the voting public will be texting ‘MONTY’.

Are you kidding? The opening lyrics to the song are

‘I am what I am, I am Stefano’s special creation.’

How nice to have your own Barbie doll to play with, but people are already being turned off by Stefano’s arrogance.

Teme came onto stage in a black dress making it obvious she’s going to do a strip tease. Sure enough the black and silver number get pulled off to reveal – quelle surprise – more tassels. The wardrobe department must have a special running on tassels.

Then they cha cha and boogie before Teme cartwheels onto Stefano’s shoulder. A much better routine than Monty’s samba.

Craig loved the fact that they were dancing to his anthem. (Craig sang this number on a UK reality show). He said the dance was A-ma-zing. Gorgeous. Alison gave a pep talk about dancing through her heart and leaving footprints. Brendan said both of you have thrilled us. Copying Craig he said, one word, sen-sa-tion-al. Paul said it was a great number to finish the evening with. Fantastic.

Score: 39


Leaderboard

1. Temepara 37 + 36 + 39 = 112
2. Monty 33 + 38 + 37 = 108

Monty’s only hope rests now with the public vote.


Past contestants

The eliminated couples returned to the dance floor to reprise their favourite dances. Mannequin Geeling Ng did the rhumba while the follicle challenged Brian Jones brought reinforcements which wriggled across his lip and chin. Even he looked bored.

H-Bomb Hayley Holt and Peter Urlich - to list them in order of their star power - waltzed and Mr Haughty Martin Devlin and Lauren de Boeck tangoed but this time she didn’t lay down across Shane Cortese.



In the second segment of eliminated celebs, Tina Cross in her lampshade and Aaron Gilmore did the Cha Cha. It was good but Miss Prozac was hoping to see their stunning Paso Doble again. Cory Hutchings unfortunately did decide to reprise his robot moves with Rebecca Nicholson in the Paso. Lucky he looks so young and sexy, but the Paso wasn’t his best dance. Miriama Smith and her tassels did the samba. Wow! Very sexy. Jonny Williams and Mirama danced beautifully. Tonight their Samba was better than Teme and Stefano’s.


All singing, all dancing finale

While we were waiting for voters to fill the coffers at the telcos, Peter Urlich sang some numbers from his latest album, Tina sang, and Jason made some noises that vaguely resembled a tune. Somehow it’s not the same seeing Jason singing without a pile of six year olds dancing around him.

The eliminated contestants and the indefatigable Candy Lane were dancing fools as everyone jived while Jason banged out a tune. Geeling and her wig got into it too. And then we were told the voting lines were closed.



Then with a drum roll and a very long pause… Tempara was crowned the winner of Dancing with the Stars 2008! Congrats Teme. Sione, lasso your woman and head on back to Townsville with her. She’s not safe while Stefano is around…


Photos: TVNZ

DWTS Semi-Final Photos

Last night Miriama Smith was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars, leaving Temepara George and Monty Betham to contest the final next week.

Click here for the full episode recap.

Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Paso Doble



Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Waltz



Miriama Smith and Jonny Williams Jive


Miriama Smith and Jonny Williams Foxtrot



Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Paso Doble



Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Tango

Photos: TVNZ

Temepara George on Sione, DWTS & Babies

Temepara George didn’t take away any prizes this weekend when the Northern Mystics lost their opening netball game against the Canterbury Tactix 48-44. However, it’s likely popular Teme will fare better in Dancing with the Stars. She seems to be a firm favourite with the voters and she hasn't put a foot wrong on or off the dance floor.

This week Teme’s popularity spills over into the gossip mags and the Sunday papers, who all carried stories about Teme’s bid to win the glittering silver ball and the title of 2008 Dancing With The Stars Champion.

Temepara has been missing her partner Sione Faumuina, who had to stay in Australia to play for the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League team. They’ve been keeping in touch with daily phone calls and emails and she's hoping he can be here if she makes it to the finals. Awww that’s cute. Teme is looking forward to returning to Oz so she, Sione and her two children can be a family again. And, she says there may be more sprogs in the future.

Unlike Pita Alatini, who was very nervous about Megan Alatini gyrating with Jonny Williams on the dance floor (and possibly with good reason), Sione is relaxed, saying it’s just dancing. And if Teme has her way, he’ll be learning to Quickstep and Cha Cha sometime in the near future. She says she plans to continue dancing after the end of DWTS. Mind you, all the stars say that, and very few of them continue once the season is over.



Teme has been combining six hours a day dance practise with her netball training. Stefano Olivieri has been to some of the training sessions to get a feel for the game. Naturally they are going to be friends forever. And a darn good thing too, because he dances beautifully and he can style her hair!

Stefano pranced about on court for a charity game, and tried for the benefit of the cameras to persuade our PM to join DWTS. That could be fun to watch; somehow Miss Prozac doubts our lady Helen would take too kindly to someone else taking the lead…


Related Stories:
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Photos: TVNZ

Warning - Do not Criticise Stefano Olivieri

In past seasons of Dancing with the Stars much of the drama has come from the contestants backchatting the judges. Last year, Paul Holmes and Mayor Michael did much fancier footwork with their quips than they ever will on the dance floor. We also had confident Megan Alatini showing her displeasure at criticism and Suzanne Paul telling Brendan Cole to “get over himself” (although she did apologise for the unprovoked attack the following week).

This year, the backchat from contestants has been relatively quiet. Martin Moobs Devlin has been his normal cheeky self, and Peter Urlich quipped that the critics never like the second album, but the rest of the contestants have been quiet.

Not so, for the professional dancers who are fast becoming the “stars” of the show. In the first show Nerida Jantti was quick to defend partner Monty Betham saying she made him work hard, and Stefano Olivieri’s facial expressions made it clear that he didn’t agree with judge Paul Mercurio when he told him to, “Be careful not to outdance your partner”. Nor did he like having his choreography criticised.


This week, Brendan Cole didn’t like the long introduction before Temepara George and Stefano got into the Quickstep. Uh oh. Our man of the mobile mouth, looked like he was sucking lemons while arguing the intro was only 10 seconds. No doubt, Brendan will find out on his “check it back later” that it was more than double that length of time, which proves what Miss Prozac always suspected - Aussie men can't count past ten with their shoes and socks on.

Miss Prozac wonders what will happen next week. Will Stefano learn to count past ten? Will he open that giant gob of his and swallow the judges whole? Whatever happens Miss Prozac will be glued to the screen waiting for the next instalment...


Related Stories:
Week 2 our review of DWTS

Photos: TVNZ

Stefano Olivieri Interview on Good Morning

Stefano Olivieri - who will be partnering 'pocket rocket' Temepara George in Dancing with the Stars - talks to TV One's Good Morning team.

Steve Gray, Brendon Pongia and Sarah Bradley have fun quizzing Stefano in this 2007 interview. You might also learn a few interesting things about Steve (he loves Barbara Streisand) and Brendon, who is apparently fastidious about his clothes...

Brendon has previously been engaged to this year's DWTS contestant Miriama Smith (who also enjoyed a romance with Frank Bunce).


If you enjoy reading this blog, please vote for us in the Best Blog category of the NetGuide People's Choice Awards


Related Stories:
Check out our 2007 Best & Worst of Dancing With The Stars Awards
Click here for the full line up of dancers and celebrities for 2008 Dancing With The Stars

Suzanne Paul & Stefano Olivieri on DWTS

Last year's Dancing with the Stars winners, Suzanne Paul and Stefano Olivieri will be back on the opening episode of DWTS to perform their jive. Suzanne also goes on to say that she snapped up a couple of her costumes from last year's show for her own wardrobe. Nothing like a few freebies, is there?


Suzanne got to keep this little number from her Jive, plus a couple of other costumes. Maybe, she could auction them off and repay her creditors...

Wonder if Stefano got to keep the PVC Paso Doble outfit he was so fond of? We liked it so much it got a mention in our Best & Worst of 2007 Dancing with the Stars Awards.

Here's a short video of Suzanne and Stefano performing at Starship Hospital. Not one of Suzanne's best efforts, the whole thing looks poorly executed, but the camera work could be contributing to the jerky performance. For a better video check out their dance highlights.




Suzanne also says she put on a few kilos

Now I’ve only got to look at a ginger nut and I get another roll of fat around
the middle! So I’m really watching what I eat at the moment, otherwise I’m going
to look like a sausage in a skin, and Stefano is going to do himself a mischief
when he try’s to throw me about!

If you enjoy reading this blog, please vote for us in the Best Blog category of the NetGuide People's Choice Awards


Photos: TVNZ

Stefano Olivieri Suzanne Paul Dance Highlights

Stefano Olivieri has put together a dance highlights video of his partnership with Suzanne Paul from last year's Dancing With The Stars competition. Great video!

Stefano is confirmed for DWTS 2008 and I am really looking forward to seeing him back on the dance floor. He is a beautiful dancer and choreographer.

Click here to see the full list of professional dancers for 2008, and click here to see the confirmed list of celebrity contestants.

Stefano Olivieri and Suzanne Paul DWTS behind the Scenes

An extract from dancing star Stefano Olivieri's interview on GLBT television show The Outlook including behind the scenes footage of Suzanne Paul and Dancing with the Stars.

Behind the Scenes with Suzanne and Stefano

The first episode of The Outlook on TV2 this Tuesday takes an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Dancing With The Stars' star Stefano Olivieri, featuring never-before-seen footage of Suzanne and Stefano preparing for the final.

The Outlook, looks at New Zealand's GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual) culture as well as the news, events, individuals and stories that are inspirational, interest and affect gays and lesbians in New Zealand.

Stefano Olivieri has been spotted out and about