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So You Think You Can Dance Australia: Ilona and Will Take the First Bow

It's never easy being the first to go. How are you feeling the morning after?
Ilona: Yeah, it's never easy, but we're both really positive and we're basically just going to get back to what we always do and we're both in really good spirits, I think.
Will: It's been a great experience from begining to end and something a lot of dancers won't get the chance to have, so there's no bad feelings at all.

It sounds like you're okay now, but there were a few tears last night. Was it from shock?
Ilona: Yeah, I was a bit shocked and I think it was that feeling of knowing I had so much more to give and not necessarily having the opportunity on the show. But I can do that outside of the show and that's where I'll continue.
Will: I was quite well prepared for it. I came into the competition with realistic expectations and, you know, my first couple routines didn't go as planned so I know that a lot of the judging was based on that, so it wasn't really a surprise. There was a lot more I wanted to demonstrate as a dancer.

Is there anything you wish you'd done differently?
Will: There are some things that are just out of your control. We were given pretty challenging chorography and Grace, with her injury, was an obstacle we had to get through. There was a lift there at the end that I just wasn't prepared to put her through knowing she was already injured. And having the experience that I have, you know that sometimes it's better to protect your body.
Ilona: I feel like I delivered exactly what was expected of me and I'm really happy with how I danced through all the performances. I really feel like I did my best.

What did we miss out on seeing from you?
Ilona: We're both very humble people - I always try to speak the truth and be honest, but I think I would've liked to have shown more of my fun, silly side. You know, I can be quite an idiot! [Laughs]
Will: I would've loved the opportunity to shine a bit more, but I'm not too upset because I have my own tango show, where people can see my full potential.

What was the vibe like yesterday?
Ilona: Everyone was good during the day, but once we got backstage and could see what was happening everyone put their iPods in and went into their own zones, so you definitely felt the energy change in the room.
Will: People deal with things in their own way, so my attitude was just to go one step at a time. It helped to control a lot of the nerves.

Will, both yourself and Kieran were in the boys' bottom three. What do ballroom dancers have going against them?
Will: You've got to think that a lot of what we do is spent partnering the same person, so it's hard when you get thrown into the competition and you have to partner with somebody that you don't even know. It's a hard road for ballroom dancers, but hopefully Kieren or Matt will shine as much as they can.

Is Ballroom dancing all about the bare chest sequins, skin and fake tan?
Well my tango show, Three To Tango, definitely is - there's a lot of flesh in that!

Is there pressure on dancers to maintain a slim body type?
Ilona: I think that we do have to obviously present really well - that's part of our job, to be someone that's nice to look at and to be fit, but I find that most of us don't really have to worry because we're working so bloody hard anyway! Most of us eat like absolute animals - I know I do. So I'm never consciously working on it or worried about it.
Will: You have to realise that our body is actually our job, so we have to continuously look after our body inside and out. Everyone looks at dancers and thinks we have fantastic bodies, but it's like going to a desk from nine to five - it's what we need to do for work.

How often do you dance?
Ilona: I dance six days a week because I teach.
Will: I teach at a gym three times a week, take a class three times a week, plus I've got my own show happening so I'm constantly being physical.

What's next for you?
Ilona: I might take a week off first and see my husband Simon and get back into working, really. I want to get back on to the stage, whatever that might be, and start teaching. I love to teach people to dance.
Will: Hopefully I'll be touring Sydney and Melbourne with Three to Tango and I've also got the national tour of West Side Story in June. I'm in the ensemble and I understudy Barnardo and Chino!

What are your career highlights to date?
Ilona: I really wanted to make something on TV, so the show is for me. I danced for Vanilla Ice at the V Festival and I choreographed for Duffy when she came to Australia. They were both really amazing.
Will: I did six shows in Europe, including Saturday Night Fever and We Will Rock You. I also performed at the Cannes Film Festival as a tango partner and I choreographed my own tango show.

What are you into outside of dancing?
Ilona: I love the beach! I love snorkelling. I'm a bit of a water baby. Me and Simon go as often as we can.
Will: I'm your typical Cancerian. I'm a homebody. I love staying at home and having a glass of cheeky and watching DVDs.

Will, you're in a relationship but are keeping coy on who they are.
[Laughs] I knew somebody was going to ask about it at some point! We've been dating for about a year and a half. I am engaged - we got engaged on Christmas night. Unfortunately I can't release any names at the moment!

Why's that?
They're in the industry, but they're not a dancer. I'll give you another hint - they play the lead in another show! But we have to respect each others' privacy and I just don't want that to be all that it's about.

Who do you want to win?
Will: That's an easy one - I've got my money on Robbie - I always have and always will. We roomed together for the first week of the competition and I think he is an incredible dancer. He's very, very young and has so much potential.
Ilona: Even though he was my partner, I think Nick is an extremely versatile dancer and I've seen him do a few styles Australia hasn't yet seen so there's a lot to offer! He's a caring, beautiful guy and I'd like to see someone who genuinely puts their soul into it win. I want a boy to win this year.

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So You Think You Can Dance airs Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 pm, on Network Ten