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Bethany Antonia: Dancing for LGBTQ+ Representation
10 Oct
Summary
- Antonia chose a same-sex dance pairing to highlight relationship representation.
- Seeing Nicola Adams' pairing encouraged Antonia to be more open.
- Representation on TV influences confidence and self-acceptance, says Antonia.
Actress Bethany Antonia highlighted the significance of representation after participating in Strictly Come Dancing with a same-sex partner. Antonia, paired with professional dancer Nancy Xu, described the experience as surreal and a dream come true. She deliberately requested a female dance partner to underscore the importance of diverse relationships being visible on television.
Antonia explained that witnessing earlier same-sex pairings on the show, such as Nicola Adams and Katya Jones in 2020, significantly eased her own journey of coming out to loved ones. This visibility inspired her to have more open conversations about her identity. She feels that by being part of such a pairing, she can positively influence others' confidence and self-acceptance.
Professional dancer Nancy Xu shared her satisfaction in bringing choreographic visions to life on the dance floor. She expressed pride in their partnership's efforts to push boundaries and challenge expectations, emphasizing the dedication involved in developing their performances. For Antonia, the Strictly experience transcends dance, aiming to make others feel more comfortable being themselves.
