The one lesson I’ve learned from life: Strictly’s Giovanni says don't let bullies ruin your dreams
- Giovanni Pernice, 30, who lives in London, has starred in Strictly since 2015
- Professional dancer reveals he was bullied for dancing while growing up in Italy
- Joining Strictly forced him to handle increased scrutiny of his private life, too
Giovanni Pernice, 30, is a professional dancer and choreographer who has starred in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing since 2015. He is single and lives in London.
Growing up in Sicily, I was the first person in my family to dance. I remember watching the BBC ballroom dancing competition Come Dancing at the age of seven. It was so beautiful. I turned to my mum and said: ‘I want to try that!’
So I started having ballroom and Latin lessons. Then I won my first competition and thought: ‘Wow, I’m good at this!’ After that I never stopped.
Dancing became my only passion. It is a combination of the music, the connection between you and your partner and the audience applauding you; in that moment, I feel so alive.
Giovanni Pernice, 30, (pictured) who lives in London, revealed how being bullied as a child has impacted his career
Yet at the time, in Italy, it was unusual for boys to dance. Although my parents were supportive, kids at school would take the mickey. I didn’t care; I knew this was what I wanted to do. Plus, I was getting to spend a lot of time with girls!
It drove me to leave home at the age of 14, to live on my own and pay my way through dance school in Bologna (teaching dance, alongside studying) — and, seven years later, to win the Italian Championships in 2012.
It gave me the confidence to accept a role on Strictly and move to London — even though I didn’t speak any English. I had three months to become fluent enough to speak on live TV and coach my celebrity partner. On that first show, I was petrified. But seven years on, I can chat comfortably in English.
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Joining Strictly forced me to handle increased scrutiny of my private life, too. Seventy per cent of what I read about girls I was supposedly dating wasn’t true.
Fame also means I get lots of messages from fathers telling me their sons want to dance but don’t have the courage. I always ask them to speak to their sons and tell them to follow their dreams.
And those people from school who once judged me? They are the ones now calling me up and saying: ‘Can I work for you?’ I’ve had people ask to have a job simply carrying my luggage on tours. But I always say: ‘You know what, you can’t.’ That is karma!
Giovanni is hosting online dance classes Monday to Friday, 5-6pm. Book now at lockdownclass.co.uk
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