Interview with Chelsee Healey for The Real Dirty Dancing

17 February 2022

Interview with Chelsee Healey for The Real Dirty Dancing

Articles using this interview must credit The Real Dirty Dancing starts Monday 21st February at 9pm on E4 and All 4 
 

Why did you sign up to the Real Dirty Dancing?

Oh honestly, I got asked to do it and I didn't even have to think, it was a no brainer. As soon as they said The Real Dirty Dancing and that I'm going to be dancing, it was like 100%.  They didn't need to ask me twice. Just to be able to dance again would have been an absolute dream for me so yeah, I was really excited when I got the phone call.

Are you a fan of the movie?

I love the movie! I grew up watching Dirty Dancing, it's one of my all-time favourites. The music and everything, it's just such a feel-good film, I'm obsessed still to this day as well. Do you know what I used to love, all the dirty scenes like when they bump and grind, they were my kind of scenes! When I was younger, I just used to be obsessed with watching the boys and the girls dance together, it was amazing.

Who did you fancy?

Do you know what? I fancied Robbie! Isn't that weird? But you know why I think it is, because he was the naughty one and that makes so much sense because, well, I've grown up now, but when I was younger I used to like the naughty boys, it's so bad. Patrick Swayze, obviously he's just a dream and I appreciate him a lot more now I've grown up. But when I was younger, I loved Robbie!

You were thrown in the deep end on day one when you were paired with Bobby and told to show off your Dirty Dancing skills, what was that like?

I didn’t mind that! I'm a bit of a grinder, to be honest. And Bobby's so lovely, honestly. I didn't feel awkward with him, we just went for it. I think if you're going to get thrown in the deep end you've just got to go for it, that’s exactly what we did. I think we were first as well, so I'm like, "Come on Bob, let's show them."

Did you have to call on your acting skills to bring chemistry in the dances?

You just have to bring it, don't you? You've just got to play along with it. I just tried to get in the character of Baby. I hope it comes across well.

What was it like doing the lake lift?

That was so much fun. But it's so hard to do a lift in water. Me and my partner gave it a good shot but we didn’t get me up, sadly.

How was it getting up close and personal with the other celebs?

I'll be honest, I do that for a day job. I have to kiss people on screen. I've danced with Pasha on Strictly so closely for months, so I didn't find that hard. It's what I do, you've just got to fake it until you make it. That for me wasn't daunting, I just kind of got on with it, I'm kind used to that.

What did you think about having to do a bungee jump?

I loved it! I was so gassed about this. Everyone was shitting themselves and I couldn't wait. I think obviously when we went up in the bungee my head went a bit like, "Oh my god Chelsee, what are you actually doing?" But honestly that was just the best experience. I loved it. I would never have done one of them off my own back, so I'm just so thankful that I got to do it.

Was any part of you scared or just exhilarated the whole time?

I think my adrenaline took over. Obviously when I was about to go on it I was like, "Oh my gosh." I remember going up and I was like, "Can I just stop?" It was just so exciting and I had such a rush after that. It was brilliant. I'd definitely do another one.

What did you think of the set?

Honestly it was like going back in time. It made us get into character as well when we were doing the dancing. When I did the first dance it was in a little teepee that looked exactly like the film. It was just such an unreal experience. We completely felt like we were in the film. It was unbelievable.

What was it like working with the other celebs?

Honestly, you know what? You know when you say you go into a job and there's always one prat? There were no prats, we all got on so much. I could not have asked for a better group of people. We just all had such a good time and we all got on. There was no bitchiness. There was just complete vibes. I think we were all very lucky to get each other on this job. It was brilliant.

This is Arg’s first job since his weight loss, were you impressed with how far he's come?

Yeah, he looks amazing, honestly. Some of the stories that he was telling us, you just think, "You know what? You've done so well." I just felt so proud of him, he looks amazing. His personality is 10 out of 10 too. He had a big crush on Anthea! I'm sure she had a soft spot for him though, definitely.

Did you swap Strictly stories with Ashley, Lee and Saffron?

It was amazing to hear everyone else's stories, but I felt like because mine was 12 years ago things have changed so much. But we all just said what an amazing experience it was. I still can’t believe it was 12 years ago!

Did Ashley help in any way during this experience?

She was really encouraging. If I had a bad dance, she'd make you feel a little bit better and give you that boost, she was so supportive. I think when you're doing something like this, you do need that little bit of support around you, just to let you know that you're okay and it isn't as bad as it seems.

Keith Lemon is known for causing a bit of mischief, what was he like to work with?

Honestly, I just loved working with him. I would work with Keith every day if I could. He's just so funny. He doesn't even try to be funny but he's just hilarious. I just look at him and I laugh. He's such a character. He did a lot of gyrating, to be honest! I've got so many videos of him gyrating and thrusting as well, it's hilarious.

Did you have as much fun backstage as you did filming?

Oh we did, yeah. We've still got the group chat running now and we're just saying how much we all miss each other. We're going out soon to watch Dirty Dancing at the theatre, which will be so much fun. I feel like the whole group just really clicked and enjoyed each other's company. I think if we didn't then we wouldn't be organising trips out together! I missed them all so much when we finished. I had withdrawal symptoms because I'd been with them all day, every day for two weeks.

 

How did you guys entertain each other in the evenings?

Oh my gosh, the days were so long that we were just so tired. I think one night we had a cinema night and then there was another night where we had a little drink when we had a day off, which was nice. But other than that, I think after we'd come back from filming each night we were all so bloody tired we just went straight to bed. Lee was serenading us though, I couldn't shut him up!

 

How would you sum up the experience?

Oh, I don’t want to be cliché but I'm going to say it was one of the best experiences in my life that I've had. It was just amazing. I can't even put into words how much I loved it. Yeah, it was an experience that I'll never forget.

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