Dancing With The Stars insider exposes filming secrets and brutal schedule

Dancing With The Stars is notoriously one of the most brutal reality shows on Australian TV, and this year’s season is certainly no different. From shock injuries and bruises to a very intense training schedule, the celebrity participants undergo a lot more than what’s shown on air.

With the twenty-first season well underway, a production insider has spilled plenty of behind-the-scenes secrets with Yahoo Lifestyle that viewers would have no idea about.

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No egos allowed

Our inside source reveals that the show’s creative team has a “non-negotiable” policy when it comes to what the celebrities wear on stage, no matter how ridiculous it may be.

“There are weeks of planning for each celebrity’s hair and make-up, not to mention the outfits. Each contestant’s management gets ‘read the riot act’ and mostly everyone is ok with that,” they share.

“It doesn't matter if you are a Gold Logie winner or world-renowned diva, you are not allowed to complain. You can imagine some people might want to tweak some things but it’s always shut down. Everyone's looks are specific and the overall colour palette is like a patchwork quilt.”

Fashion designer Nadia Bartel, who was the first contestant eliminated during Sunday night’s episode, said she didn’t try to control anything during her time on the show and “loved” working with the creative team.

“I was just happy to be a part of the show and I understood this was their thing, it’s their show, and while the second outfit was not something I would ever wear, I just had to let go,” she remarked. “It’s not like what I would wear to a fashion show or down the street.”

Meanwhile, Julie Goodwin admitted she was shocked by how much thought went into her presentation on the show.

“It’s wild, the wardrobe people made their way to my house on the Central Coast to get me all fitted,” she said. “These outfits are specifically made for us. Each night we are all stitched into our costumes.”

Gruelling rehearsal schedule

Each of this year’s contestants trained eight hours a day, six days a week and had to learn six dances during the six to nine-week commitment. The professional dancers had the studios booked out across the country and were always prepared for rehearsals and willing to do as much - or as little - as their partners wanted.

"Some of this year’s stars were in their dance studios seven days a week,” our source details. “Lisa McCune easily clocked the most amount of hours, staying back and working over her notes. She was there to win.

“Each year it is the actors that seem to do the most work, tackling the DWTS experience like a character role. It’s an advantage if you can act because a lot of what makes a good ballroom dancer is acting.”

Medical team

Dancing With The Stars has seen plenty of participants have had to pull out of the competition due to injury over the years, including Shannon Noll who suffered a severe spinal injury in 2012, Kyly Clarke who tore her right hamstring in 2014, Matt Preston who sustained an ankle injury last year, and current contestant Julie Goodwin who had to sit out of her first performance after suffering a calf injury.

After appearing on multiple seasons of MasterChef and the inaugural season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Julie confirms that DWTS is the most intense reality show she’s ever taken part in.

“Each show has its hardships but this one overall is the hardest show I have been a part of,” she said, adding that she worked closely with the show’s medical team and they supported her “beautifully” as she recovered from her injury.

Our source reveals that each participant is assessed before and after each dance and the medical team understands how much pressure these stars put their bodies under.

“Adam Dovile felt as though his insides hurt throughout some of the dance routines, especially through shaping and creating specific lines. It’s not for the faint-hearted,” they share. “The medical team pointed out that dancing has some contestants using muscles they probably haven't used before.”

Sonia's 'outrageous' jokes

This year marks the first season Sonia Kruger has stepped into the main hosting role while newcomer Chris Brown is reporting from the skybox. Although it may seem like the veteran TV presenter often goes rogue with her suggestive comments and digs at the judges, it turns out her “outrageous” jokes are carefully planned and approved.

“Sonia is naturally funny and her sense of humour works well with this format,” our source says. “Most of the double entendres go over the kids' heads and all the jokes are required to get network approval.

“Sonia is known to walk into the dressing room of the judges and give them a heads up and even workshop some of the gags with them. They love to play along and there is never any malice intended. It’s all a bit of fun.”

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The insider adds that producers contacted former host Daryl Somers to run through the jokes at his expense - and viewers can expect to hear many throughout the entire season.

“Daryl was quite generous with what has been left in the edit,” they continue. “Sonia had the whole ballroom laughing and she really didn't hold back.”

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