Dancing with the Stars; Loraine Barry Talks About her Impressive Career.

8 Jul

Born in Cabra in Dublin, Ireland, Loraine Barry began dancing at just six years old. By the age of nineteen, she was dancing competitively with her partner Andrew Sinkinson. Together Barry and Sinkinson travelled the world competing regularly and winning Grand Slam titles including the UK Championship, European Open Championship and World Championship. They also won the Amateur British Ballroom Championship three consecutive times in 1987, 1988, and 1989.

After winning the Blackpool Open Amateur Competition in 1989 Loraine and Andrew decided to turn professional, competing for the first time at the Professional British Open in 1990.They won the Slow Foxtrot over Marcus & Karen Hilton, and John Wood & Anne Lewis – an unprecedented result for the couple as it was their first British Open Competition.

In 1993, Barry took up a partnership with Luca Baricchi. After five years of coming second to Marcus and Karen Hilton in most of the major regional and world championships together, they were crowned World Ballroom Dance Champions in 1999 and 2001 and British Open Champions three times in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Loraine has also been awarded the Prince Mikasa Award, BDF Award, and Carl Alan Award.

When did you learn to dance?

I was drawn to dancing at the age of six when I went to do the Saturday morning shop with my mother and my older sister. There was a new dance studio advertised and my mother asked if my sister and I would like to go. From that first dance class I was hooked.

Who spotted your talent?

My first dance teachers were husband-and-wife team Maureen and Liam Mullins who immediately spotted my talent and told my parents that I was a champion in the making.

What is the life of a top professional like?

I feel very privileged to have been a top professional dancer as ballroom dancing has given me so much. I’ve had the opportunity to travel all around the world, to represent England in World Championships and European Championships as well as going to Buckingham Palace when the late Queen invited all world champions to a garden party.

Being able to entertain people with my live dancing in shows with 5000 people watching has been exhilarating. It has been hard work but well worth it.

What advice would you give aspiring professional dancers?

Competitive dancing is fierce, but my advice is to believe in yourself. Focus all your attention on being the best possible dancer that you can be. My motto is that the best will always win.

What are your greatest accomplishments?

I won my first major title - the Open British Youth Championship in Blackpool at the age of 18 which made my parents proud. After that, I set the bar a little bit higher, I remember my parents following me to Frankfurt in Germany to witness me winning the World Amateur Ballroom Championship. That was one of the proudest moments of my life. Going on to win the Open British Championships, (the Wimbledon of dance) seven times is fantastic along with four World Championship titles.

Where are you based?

I am based in London, but I was born in Dublin, Ireland. I left there at the age of 17 and went to live in Southport, Merseyside where my dance partner lived. My parents would only let me move away if I was moving in with a family.

What do you look for in a good dancer?

I look for commitment. To be the best, you must try everything and sometimes that everything is outside of your comfort zone. So, you need to be committed!

What sort of judge are you on Dancing with the Stars?

On Dancing with the Stars, I would say I am a fair judge. I try to inspire and encourage the competitors while providing constructive criticism. I often say: “Give it a go, push yourself”.

What do you believe is the key to the show’s success?

The key to the success of the DWTS show is the format. It’s taking a celebrity out of their comfort zone, giving them a professional dancer and a very short time, as in one week, to perfect a dance. People like to see a struggle followed by success! It's their journey that captures the audience! Children love watching the show and marking the competitors to see whether their score tallies with the judges.

Tell us about the bespoke gowns that you wear on Dancing with the Stars?

The beautiful dresses/gowns that I wear on DWTS are all handmade. For 2023, I wanted the theme of sustainability so I used a lot of dresses from 2022 and redesigned them, but I also used dresses from 2017 and 2018 and re-vamped them too.

I’m very lucky to have a former dance student who is an up-and-coming fashion designer. We work together on designing the dresses and remodelling them. It’s wonderful to buy things off the hanger, but there’s always a chance that someone else would have it too.

You have grown up wearing heels but tell us what you wear when you are not on tv?

I have been wearing court shoes with 2.5-inch heels since I was the age of 14. I am delighted to say I don’t have any bunions and that’s because I stretch my feet a lot!

When the pandemic came, I wasn’t travelling so I had a lot more free time. I started to wear platform sneakers and I still do when I’m travelling, or I have time off from dancing.

I wear a lot more casual clothes now. However, when I am teaching, I wear black trousers and a black shirt and black teaching shoes with a 2-inch heel.

How did you react to the news of Strictly legend Len Goodman's death this year?

I knew Len Goodman well after dancing a demonstration for him in his studio in Kent many years ago. Len was an incredibly kind, lovely man and he always had a joke.

Len gave my partner a gift of a hairbrush. Len said he had so much hair that he’d always keep it looking lovely. And he gave me a mascara as he said I had the most beautiful blue eyes. What you saw of Len on Strictly Come Dancing was truly Len Goodman at his best. He was professional, kind, caring and funny. RIP Len.

How hard is it on the celebrities who have literally had no dance experience?

It is extremely hard on a celebrity with no dance experience, but they do have a professional with them and they’ve got to put their trust in that professional. The great thing about the professionals on Strictly or DWTS is that they have a lot of experience, and know how to bring out the best in every celebrity.

You have become a bit of a poster girl for glamour at 50 +. Can you give us a few tips?

Being a poster girl at 50+ is all about being true to yourself. I opt for style over fashion. I like to wear dresses and suits. I always wear high heels as it adds length to the body. It’s important to feel comfortable in what you wear. It makes it much easier to carry it off.

What does your working life consist of now?

I teach in London at the Dilly Hotel in Piccadilly. On the basement floor, there is a beautiful ballroom. I absolutely love to teach there. I teach Monday to Friday, and I try to take the weekends off. I’m also very lucky to be able to travel around the world to teach couples in the USA, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Italy.

What is the most extravagant purchase you have ever made?

The most extravagant purchase I’ve ever made is a piece of jewellery - a beautiful ring with a Tanzanite gemstone.

What causes matter to you?

I believe in kindness. Being kind to people as in smiling, listening and giving them time. When the pandemic hit I went to an old folks home near me to see if there was anything I could do to help the elderly. I became a shopper for one elderly lady who was Irish just like me. Often when I’m out shopping and I see an older lady or a gentleman with a little bit of shopping I buy it for them to show them kindness and respect. I’m also aware of the importance of being kind to the planet - sustainability is important to me in my home and the clothes that I wear.

On a more formal note, I know the pleasure that dance gives people with Alzheimer’s disease. Their memories may be failing, but when the music starts and they have a partner in their arms their steps return as if it was 30 years ago. I was involved in organising a major charity dance event which I compared. It is something I try to do whenever my schedule allows.

What have you learned from your life’s journey?

I have learnt from life that it’s about working hard, but doing it with sincerity. You sow the seeds, and you reap the rewards.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I’ve always carried the mantra of – God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Melanie Faldo

Fashion & Lifestyle

Writer and Contributor

Melanie Faldo is a public relations professional whose enthusiasm for the job remains as vibrant as ever after a quarter of a century in PR.

Having graduated from Warwick University, Melanie became a journalist before entering the world of book publishing.

After writing two books, she launched her own PR agency in 1993, its immediate success resting on the solid foundation of a bespoke high profile client base, the promotion of brand identities, and special events management. Today Melanie's clients span numerous industries including, but not limited to, the fashion, music and entertainment, beauty and health, business and charity sectors.