Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan is having the time of his life so far on Dancing with the Stars. Three weeks in and the Olympic gold medalist, along with his pro partner Laura Nolan, are sitting pretty at the top of the leader board.
While Mickey Joe Harte and his pro dance partner Daniela Roze were unfortunate to become the first of this season’s couples to get eliminated on last Sunday night’s show, Rhys and Laura stormed the dance floor with a cha-cha-cha to the Bruno Mars hit Treasure.
But being early contenders for this year’s contest doesn’t weight heavy on the dancing duo. "In a way," is Rhys’ almost nonchalant response to the question of feeling any pressure.
"People expect to see good performances - but I suspect that’s what we’re in it for anyway," he adds. "It doesn’t really change what we’re doing every week."
Laura agrees and points out the professional attitude that both of them possess by the bucketload. "I feel that if we do our best, that’s our job done. That’s really what our goal is each week.
"A little bit of pressure’s good because it makes you go that bit harder and you want to get better the next week. It’s nice to be on top of the leader board as this is my fourth season and let’s just say I haven’t been there at all!"
Rhys grins, and points a finger at Laura, saying: "She’s an incredible choreographer."
Accustomed to performing, albeit in a different discipline, Rhys acknowledges that being on one of the biggest TV shows hasn’t fazed him. "I haven’t really been nervous," he insists.
"It’s not about scoring highs and being the best - just enjoy it! I think that’s actually the big difference between gymnastics and dance. At the end of the day it’s entirely subjective.
"With gymnastics there’s something you need to do. You need to practice for years. But I’m not at that level in dance. But I feel I give my best performance when I do enjoy myself. There’s a laser focus that I need in gymnastics."
Laura added: "It’s about trusting the process, trusting your training, and trusting the hours that you put in during the week. You go out there and let the performance take over."
Given that he’s clearly enjoying himself as well as performing to a high level on the dance floor, I wondered if Rhys found it as tough as he thought it would be, and if it’s more fun than he thought it would be?
"A bit of both," he replied. "I’m getting along really well with Laura. I didn’t think that I could bond that well with somebody and I think that’s a testament to her.
"But it’s been so much fun. I get a lot of joy from learning anything new and progressing in that. That’s where I get a lot of happiness in my life. To be thrown in at the deep end in this dancing game."
He was also keen to emphasise the fact that going on a show such as Dancing with the Stars is a pretty unique experience. "Not many people start dancing and then all of a sudden you’re performing in live TV shows, broadcast to hundreds of thousands of people.
"That’s actually, for me, a very privileged position, where I can thrive off that pressure. Having to, every Sunday, perform after putting the work in on the weekdays. And I have to accept a new challenge every week."
Rhys also spoke about his girlfriend Emilee supporting him snd coming to see him perform on Dancing with the Stars. "She’s on board," he says. "And I think it’s important to have that because this is quite a commitment.
"I’m based in Dublin for however long I’m on the show and to get up and go like that, it’s a big deal to have that support system back home. And to have that understanding that they’re behind you."
Laura was keen to praise the latest addition to the Dancing with the Stars judging panel, Karen Byrne, in her new role, having previously been a pro dancer on the show.
"We were so close - we still are so close," says Laura. "It’s like she was always meant to be there as a judge. It’s very strange. You do miss her in the studio and in rehearsals. But she just fits in so well. It’s perfect for her."
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