Victoria Hislop, the British author who became a household name in Greece, recently reflected on her participation in Dancing With the Stars Greece. The experience, which she describes as a “joyous celebration of survival,” took place while she was still recovering from cancer treatment. The competition proved to be a grueling physical and mental challenge that pushed her far beyond her comfort zone.
A Celebrity in Greece
Hislop is well-known in Greece for her 2010 novel The Island, which was adapted into a 26-part television series. The drama achieved the highest ratings ever recorded for a television program in the country. Her cultural impact was further recognized in 2020 when the Greek prime minister granted her honorary citizenship. These achievements established her as a minor celebrity before she accepted the invitation to join the dance competition.
The Greek version of the show follows the same format as the UK original. It features an identical studio setup, a matching shiny floor, and costumes that are circulated among the many international versions of the BBC franchise. The season Hislop joined was filmed under strict Covid restrictions, which added to the unusual atmosphere of the production.
Physical Struggles and Fear
Hislop entered the competition alongside a diverse group of contestants, including Olympic athletes, TV presenters, and models. She was one of the oldest participants, sharing that distinction only with Bessy Argyraki, a former Eurovision entrant. The two women bonded quickly over their shared struggles to master basic steps while younger competitors performed advanced moves like splits with ease.
The training regimen was exhaustive. Hislop spent six weeks in the rehearsal room every day. The physical toll was severe. She suffered from intense aches and pains, which were side effects of both the new dance routine and medications taken after her cancer treatment six months prior. She often lived on painkillers and found herself exhausted and bruised daily.
The pressure intensified as the live shows approached. Hislop could not eat for two days before the first broadcast. During rehearsals, she forgot almost every move, leading to disappointment from the choreographer and frustration from her dance partner. The dress rehearsal was particularly difficult, leaving her feeling unprepared for the main event.
Instinct Takes Over
On the night of the live show, Hislop watched from the wings as other couples received high scores. She prepared for her performance by having her hair stiffened with industrial amounts of spray and re-gluing a fake eyelash. After taking painkillers in her dressing room, she watched a video of her dance routine repeatedly to calm her nerves.
When it was time to perform, she stepped onto the stage in a body-hugging tulle costume. As the music began, her anxiety vanished. Muscle memory took over, allowing her body to follow its own instincts without conscious thought. She described the experience as a transcendental moment where she abandoned rational thought to let pure instinct guide her movements.
The performance was technically perfect. Hislop felt a sense of euphoria as the music ended, though she was too stunned to fully process the judges’ compliments. In the following weeks, she experienced similar moments of instinct-driven performance. Although they were eventually voted out, the experience left her with a profound sense of joy and resilience.
Source: The Guardian
