Zara McDermott, known for her stint on Love Island in 2018, recently became the fifth contestant to exit Strictly Come Dancing 2023 after a nail-biting dance-off on Sunday night. She’s opened up about her thoughts on why she might not have garnered as many votes as some of her fellow competitors.
Zara McDermott Blames Her Reality TV Past
The 26-year-old former Love Island star suggested that her past as a reality TV personality might be a key factor. It seems that she believes her previous TV endeavors may have influenced how the audience perceived her on Strictly Come Dancing.
A Shift in Career Path of Zara McDermott
Zara has made efforts to reshape her public image since her time on Love Island. She even appeared on Made In Chelsea alongside her partner. Moreover, she’s taken on a different role as a documentary maker, delving into important subjects such as revenge porn and sexual assault.
Falling to the Dance-Off
In the Strictly dance-off, Zara McDermott faced off against another celebrity, Adam Thomas. They both gave it their all in an attempt to impress the judges one last time. Unfortunately for Zara and her dance partner, Graziano Di Prima, their journey ended. They found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard and subsequently defeated in the dance-off.
Zara McDermott Dance Scores and Choices
Zara’s Charleston performance, set to “Jeepers Creepers” by Al Donahue and his Orchestra, earned her a total of 25 points out of 30. On the other hand, Adam and his dance partner, Luba Mushtuk, performed an American Smooth to “Magic Moments” by Perry Como. Both couples danced for a second time, leaving their fate in the hands of the judges.
Judges’ Decision
At the point in the competition where the judges had to make their choice, Craig Revel Horwood opted to save Adam and Luba. He made the observation, “In my opinion, one couple did exceptionally well and aced that routine. Adam and Luba are the name of that pair. The sentiment shared by Motsi Mabuse, who commented, “Well, I feel there definitely a fighting spirit from both couples.” I believe that both couples have made significant progress because they look absolutely lovely now. And then, I am going to rescue Adam and Luba.
As Zara McDermott prepares to leave the show, she is taking her previous experiences and gaining a new point of view on the realm of reality television and competitive dancing. And then, her exit serves as a timely reminder of the unpredictable nature of Strictly Come Dancing, which is one of the show’s primary draws for viewers.