Karen Hauer is showcasing her skills not only as a professional dancer but also as a remarkable teacher on this series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Last week Karen and Mark Wright finished in second place on the leaderboard after wowing the judges with their Jive and scoring 35 out of 40. As the weeks go on theyāre getting better and better.
We caught up with Karen to talk about last weekās incredible show, find out how this weekās Waltz is going, and to discuss being on the cusp of making it to Blackpool.
Last weekendās Jive was incredible! How did you feel about the reaction you got from the judges?
I was completely blown away. Mark is really blossoming every week and heās taking me by surprise. Itās really a reward to see how much heās improving. Whenever I see him in the rehearsal room itās one thing but when I see him performing that way it absolutely brings even more joy. He is so petrified before he goes on to the floor but he takes all of that energy and turns it into a positive and exciting routine. He turns it all around and itās amazing.
You were second on the leaderboard only two points behind Kevin & Frankie. Youāve had a real progression with Mark this series. How does it feel?
My mouth is still open! We were both like āthatās not us, really? Weāre up there? It is us!ā Itās unbelievable that we were second on the leaderboard behind Frankie and Kevin. We started at the bottom and climbed to halfway and thatās where we thought we were going to stay. Then all of a sudden weāre up at the top. Itās the most amazing feeling ever. As a professional dancer on Strictly this is the first time Iāve really been on the leaderboardā¦second on the leaderboard! Really itās all down to Markās amazing progress and our belief that we can turn it around, fight and stay in this competition.
Itās worth tuning in every weekend to see your reactions. You always look more shocked than Markā¦
I know! (laughs) Mark had never danced before or done any type of performing. He seems to be just attaching himself and itās becoming more natural to him. I know he watches Kevin and Aljaz a lot. He loves watching those two boys dance and heās getting a lot from researching, watching and really paying attention to what the male pros do. I think itās very important that he looks up to them. He tries to be them when heās on the dancefloor. The more that he watches the male pros, the more he surprises me even more with his lines and his character. Heās really, really loving dancing and Iām absolutely thrilled. I didnāt expect it from day one.
Youāve done an incredible job with him Karen. Youāve worked hard and you deserve the creditā¦
(laughs) We work so well together and I sometimes feel that weāve been dancing forever. It doesnāt feel like a student and teacher relationship because weāre such good mates. I keep forgetting that Iām teaching him and Iām like āoh heās doing that, that well!ā Weāre really humbled by the experience already and really happy to be doing well. I love seeing him smile and seeing him accomplish something.
Itās back to Ballroom for you this weekend isnāt it?
Yes! We are doing a Waltz to Barry Manilowās Weekend in New England. Itās a very beautiful song and a very beautiful story. I love the Waltz. Itās romantic and soft. Markās afraid of the slow dances because heās a very energetic and athletic person. I think the Waltz is going to show a different side to Mark, his abilities and his progress in the competition. He has a great top line, which weāve worked on really hard. Heās afraid of the Waltz but hopefully tomorrow heāll embrace it even more. Heās really excited about wearing tails but I think heāll embrace it even more and relax into it.
Mark has really proven himself in the Latin dances. If he nails the Waltz this weekend we think it could be the making of him on the showā¦
Every weekend itās been a surprise. Hopefully it goes all right. We never know what to expect. As long as he stays focused, breathes and relaxes into his movements everything should be ok. Every week weāve been getting surprises from the judges and getting really great comments. We take everything on and practice it back in the studio. Letās hope that this is another great week for us and we make it through to Blackpool.
How much would it mean for you and Mark to make it to Blackpool?
He first wanted to make it to Halloween but the big, big benchmark is Blackpool. He would be absolutely thrilled and over the moon to at least make it to Blackpool. For him being a non-dancer it would mean the world.
Weāre confident you can do it.
Iām crossing everything!
What can you tease about this weekendās pro dances?
Itās Rememberance Week so itās in memory of all of the soldiers. Itās a lovely, fun routine and all the girls are waiting around for our men to come back from war and weāre reading the love letters theyāve sent us. Itās a really cool Jive-Charleston type dance. Itās fantastic and I really enjoying doing it.
Strictly Come Dancing 2014 continues at 6.30pm tonight on BBC One. Watch Karen and Markās Jive from week 6 of the competition: