Sonia Kruger admits there are times when she feels her “brain might explode” as she juggles the demands of motherhood and shooting two live shows simultaneously. “But so far so good,” she laughs as she chats with WHO.
As the 20th season of Dancing with the Stars gets underway, the 57-year-old reflects on the woman she’s become since taking on hosting duties back in 2004 and the show that many predicted wouldn’t even last a year.
Let’s talk 20 years of Dancing with the Stars. Can you believe it?
No, I can’t actually. I can’t believe we are going into our 20th year. It’s weird when you think about it in terms of decades. I did sit out of it for a little while so coming back into it, I feel like it’s restarted and I’m right back in at the beginning again.
When you look back at that first series, what do you think has been the key to its success?
What surprised me initially is when we first started the show, nobody really thought it was going to work. Then it went to air and it did, like, 2.1 million viewers, it was the number one show and everyone was gobsmacked. No-one could believe it did such huge numbers. And then it just got bigger. I think I was there for 11 seasons. I always wanted to get out while it was on top, so that’s when I left. When I came back to Seven and they wanted to bring it back, my initial thoughts were, “Gee, I don’t know about that.” But they were right and the audience still loves the show. It’s been great to be able to revisit all of that craziness.
What do you think are some of the elements that make it such a success?
I think the fact that it is fairly unscripted is a big part of it. We are always surprised by who can dance and who can’t. Some of the people who you think are going to be great aren’t, and the ones who you don’t think are going to be good are. There are constant surprises in this show. Kids love it because it’s a family show, so it operates on that level, but there’s also this underlying current, this slightly naughty humour and that’s fun for the grown-ups.
Are there any moments or contestants that stand out for you?
For me, I think Tom Williams’ routine is just seared into my memory bank. Then he came back to do All Stars and we got to relive it. It was such a great moment. [It’s] a sexy show. There’s two elements at play – there’s sex appeal and then there’s romance. I think those two things on the dance floor are compelling to see. When Chris Bath broke out of her newsreader mould and came out rocking to AC/DC, we all went, “Check out the newsreader, she’s got legs!” And when Johnny Ruffo came back in the last series to do a guest performance was also special. There’s a lot of affection for him in the Dancing with the Stars family and to see him out there – because he’s incredibly talented and given what he’s been through – it was just a real moment to be able to celebrate him on the show.
Tell me about the Sonia of 20 years ago compared to today. Do you miss old Sonia or do you like the one you are now?
I like the one I am now because she’s a little wiser and I’ve learnt a lot along the way. I think the Sonia of 20 years ago was fairly naive about a lot of stuff and was very lucky to have been given some great opportunities. I’ve learnt a lot along the way from a production position, it’s been a great apprenticeship. It’s been the world’s longest cadetship. At some stage I might graduate, I don’t know.
Speaking of fancy footwork, how do you manage the work/life juggle?
It’s really hectic when I’m shooting two shows at the same time, but the thing is, I do get lots of time when I don’t have anything to shoot which is amazing. So [daughter] Maggie and I got to spend all of the school holidays together, and we’ll get to spend all of the next school holidays together too. But this in-between section, where I’m shooting Dancing and The Voice, it is like sometimes you need military-precision timetables. You have to know what day is the library bag, what day is swimming, what day is homework due, as well as being across a two-hour live show.
What gets you dancing these days?
Rosé [laughs]. It’s the music for me. Even on The Voice, I’m usually dancing in the wings somewhere. Once a dancer, always a dancer. I’ll be that little old lady at some relative’s party or wedding that’s up on the dance floor.
Dancing with the Stars premieres Sun., Jun 18 at 7pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
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