Holly Johnstone
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| Celebrity partner |
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How did you start off in gymnastics?
I began dancing at the age of five, working through my exam grades and competing in local and national competitions. I had boundless amounts of energy (I was nicknamed Tigger) and my dance teacher suggested I try out gymnastics. I then came across Cirque Du Soleil and instantly wanted to go down the wonderful road of circus performing. I bought all the DVDs of their many shows and used to copy them in our tiny front room, imitating their facial expressions in the mirror and fell in love with the acrobatic and aerial side of performing.
Can you tell us about your career so far?
I graduated from the National Centre for Circus Arts in 2012 and I've been a professional performer for two years. My first job was as an acrobat and circus ensemble member in the Batman Live world arena tour where I travelled across America performing in the Staples Centre in LA and the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas. I then went on to Singapore for a new musical which incorporated circus, acrobatics and dance with singing and acting. With skills in both dance and acrobatics, I was a handy swing!
What qualities do you need to compete professionally?
To perform professionally in the circus world you need to have a good level of skill and flexibility. But if you don't have the stage presence and versatility in your performance, it's a no go. You need to be able to engage the audience with the turn of a head or the flash of your eyes, capture their attention and take them through a journey. You can be doing the most impressive and most difficult of skills but if you can't perform, it can be very boring and uninspiring.
What kind of qualities will you need from your celebrity partner in order to train effectively?
To train effectively with my celeb partner, I need them to be able to listen to corrections and take them on board. I need them to take it seriously but not be afraid to have a laugh and have fun at the same time. The most important thing I want from my celeb partner is trust. If they don't trust me, we ain't getting anywhere! You need it to work collaboratively and efficiently in a partnership, to feel safe with one another and they must know that I have full confidence in them. For me, it is key!
What advice would you give young people interested in taking up the sport?
Absolutely go for it! There are so many different avenues in gymnastics and acrobatics these days and it's a great way to be active. Who doesn't want to hang upside down and flip around?! In the end, if you work hard enough, you could end up getting paid for something that you couldn't possibly call work! It's far too much fun!
What do you do in your down time?
In my down time I love to choreograph dance routines and drawing random sketches really relaxes me. I like to get stuck into a good novel and I love baking muffins and cakes. I want to be an acrobatic Bree Van De Kamp!
Who is your sporting hero?
My sporting idol is Olga Pikhienko a beautiful and insanely good hand balancer and contortionist from Cirque Du Soleil. Incredible! Google her!
What song is guaranteed to get you dancing?
Anything Michael Jackson is absolutely guaranteed to get me up boogying! Also random folk music is always good, I particularly like 'Kingdom Dance' from the Tangled Soundtrack.
Who would play you in a film of your life?
Chloe Moretz, she's the cute girl next door with a bit of a kick!
