Next up, having one actually be a part of the competition.
Mikelle StreetAfter rumors, and much discussion, two featured performers on Strictly Come Dancing performed in a same-sex coupling. For a portion of the performance, they were the only performers on the floor, making the move historic.
On Sunday, Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima danced during a live performance of Emeli Sandé’s “Shine.” The performance starts with the duet, and then they are joined by another couple on the floor.
This is not the first same-sex pairing on the show; in 2018 the series featured pairings in an opening performance. There AJ Pritchard was matched with Pasha Kovalev while Karen Clifton was paired with another female dancer. They performed in a large group.
Radebe, who is gay, told Hello! Magazine that he had “never felt so liberated. For the first time in my life, I feel accepted for who I am.” Radebe has previously spoken about homophobic abuse he’s suffered.
“There’s bromance galore between us, but there were no male and female roles, just free movement,” Radebe said. “It was beautiful, classy and elegant.”
Di Prima tweeted a clip of the moment. “Representation always matters,” he wrote. “Unforgettable moment, loved to dance with you Johannes Radebe.”
The duet was a return for Radebe who had been voted off the show with his partner, Catherine Tyldsley, the week before.
The move comes after multiple calls for same-sex representation on the show. Still, it was not a dance that was scored for competition. Though Dancing With the Stars in the U.S., Australia, and Israel have crossed that line with Nyle DiMarco, Courtney Act, and Gili Shem Tov respectively, the U.K.’s Strictly is lagging behind.
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