Exclusive Interview: Kym Johnson of Dancing With the Stars
Gorgeous inside and out, Kym Johnson takes a break from getting physical to get personal.
Kym Johnson is the 33-year-old Australian stunner who seamlessly has found her home on American television for the past three years as a pro ballroom dancer (and two-time runner-up) on America's number one reality show, Dancing With the Stars. This week Kym celebrates her spot as a semi-finalist with her celebrity partner and timeless entertainer Donny Osmond.
Kym, who will take the stage on Broadway's dance show Burn the Floor beginning November 27, sat down with LimeLife last week while stylists prepped her in hair and makeup for the quarter-finals results show ("[It feels like] You sit in hair and makeup all day," Kym laughed. "And then it's showtime, and that's it - it happens quick!")
While the backstage scene surrounding her buzzed with pre-broadcast intensity, Kym Johnson gave a calm and endearing interview that demonstrated perfectly why America has taken this Aussie beauty in as one of our own.
LimeLife: Kym, in one hour we'll see you on stage to find out whether you and Donny Osmond will advance together to the semi-finals. Can you describe for us what it's like as you're waiting for the hosts [Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris] to call your name?
Kym Johnson: It's quite insane, it's kind of out of your control really, so it's not a fun feeling just standing there waiting to get called out - especially because they keep you waiting until the end to get called out...that's horrible. And now that it's down to the final five [couples], it gets tough.
Check out these great pics of Kym!
LimeLife: The show looks like a blast, but there must be a lot of pressure, right? With the extraordinary demands of your schedule and life in the public eye, do you ever feel like your career impacts your personal life?
Kym Johnson: It works both ways, I guess. I spent six years traveling and living out of a suitcase which was a fun experience when I was young, in my twenties with all my friends. But then I sort of just got over the whole traveling scene and decided to go back to Australia. I got the call to be on [the Aussie version of Dancing With the Stars] and at first I thought, I don't know if these shows are gonna work...but then the show was a huge hit and it got me to stay back in Australia and I felt more settled, which was what I was wanting. And I did the show for about three years in Australia, andmy boyfriend [pro cricket player Shane Watson] was on [for one season], which was great. I was engaged while I was in Australia, and then actually got nervous and freaked out about getting married. We broke up, which was a bit of a hard time. But then I ended up getting a call from a producer on Dancing With the Stars in America, and it was just the perfect time to just go and do something different. I thought it would be for just three months, for one season, but I've ended up on the show for three years. It's been the best experience.
LimeLife: And this season, what's the best thing about working with Donny Osmond?
Kym Johnson: He's just incredible, he's a person who makes you realize why he's been in the industry for what, forty years? He's obviously so talented, but such a nice person. I think he's so down to earth and real. That's why he's doing what he's doing. He's amazing. I'm teaching him to dance, but I've learned a lot from him too.
LimeLife: We learn a lot from you, Kym! You're one of those who if you didn't show up for a season we'd be going, "Where's Kym?"
Kym Johnson: Oh that's sweet. I hope so.
Tomorrow we'll talk about Kym's upcoming projects, including her upcoming Broadway debut in Burn the Floor. Meanwhile, check out Kym Johnson and Donny Osmond's hot Argentine tango from earlier this season on Dancing With the Stars.
