Olympic Taekwondo Star Jack Woolley Joins Dancing with the Stars
Olympian Jack Woolley Trades Taekwondo for Tango on ‘Dancing with the Stars‘
Dublin, Ireland – Get ready to see a new side of Irish Olympian Jack Woolley. The taekwondo star, who made history as the first Irish athlete to compete in the sport at the Olympic Games, is trading his kicks for quicksteps as the fourth celebrity announced for the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.
Woolley, who wowed audiences at both the Tokyo 2020 adn Paris 2024 Olympics, is eager to embrace the challenge of the dance floor. “This is something completely new for me,” he enthused. “I think taekwondo is going to help as I’m flexible and I know my body, but remembering the steps is completely different.”
While accustomed to the unpredictable nature of combat, Woolley acknowledges the unique demands of ballroom dancing. “With taekwondo, I’m standing in front of somebody who’s moving and I’m responding to what they’re doing. I’m fighting them, and it’s so unpredictable. But with this, you’ve got the set steps that you have to do in time.That’s going to be completely new to me.”
Despite the challenges,Woolley is confident in his athletic foundation. “Luckily,I have a nice start because I’ve got the athleticism,but I can’t just take that for granted!”
Beyond the physical demands,Woolley is embracing the full Dancing with the Stars experience,even the spray tans. “I was most nervous about getting a spray tan, to be honest!” he admitted. “I was afraid it was going to be a bit splotchy and I’d look ridiculous. But the first one worked out well, so who knows? I might be a bit of a diva after this, getting a spray tan and my hair and makeup done every week after the show!”
woolley joins a star-studded lineup for the new season, including comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll, and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede.
The remaining celebrity contestants will be revealed in the coming days. Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy return as hosts, while two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne joins the judging panel alongside Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond, and Arthur Gourounlian.
Dancing with the Stars returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player in January.
Olympian Trades Kicks For Quicksteps: An Exclusive Interview Wiht Jack Woolley
Newsdirectory3.com: Irish Olympian Jack Woolley is swapping his taekwondo uniform for sequins this winter, joining the star-studded lineup of Dancing with the Stars. We caught up with the sporting icon as he prepares to trade kicks for quicksteps.
Newsdirectory3.com: Jack, you’ve made history representing Ireland in taekwondo at two Olympic Games. What made you decide to swap the fighting ring for the dance floor?
Jack Woolley: This is something fully new for me. I think taekwondo is going to help – I’m flexible and I know my body. But remembering the steps is completely different!
Newsdirectory3.com: You’ve trained intensely for the Olympics. How do you think your athletic background will translate to ballroom dancing?
Jack Woolley: With taekwondo, I’m responding to what my opponent is doing.It’s unpredictable. With this, you have set steps you have to do in time. That’s going to be completely new. Luckily I have a nice start as I’ve got the athleticism, but I can’t just take that for granted!
Newsdirectory3.com: Is there anything about the Dancing with the Stars experience that has surprised you so far?
Jack Woolley: I was moast nervous about getting a spray tan, to be honest! I was afraid it was going to be a bit splotchy and I’d look ridiculous.But the first one worked out well, so who knows? I might be a bit of a diva after this!
Newsdirectory3.com: You’re joining a strong cast, including comedian gearóid Farrelly, Mrs BrownS Boys actor Danny O’Carroll, and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede. Are you excited to hit the dance floor alongside them?
Jack Woolley: Absolutely. Its a fantastic lineup and I think we’re all going to have a lot of fun.