Strictly Come Dancing professional Alexis Warr has made a surprising revelation about her past on American reality television, which includes a cameo alongside a now-convicted criminal.
From Salsa Lessons to the Strictly Semi-Final
The 25-year-old dancer from Utah is currently competing in the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final this Saturday with her celebrity partner, George Clarke. The pair will perform an Argentine Tango as they vie for a place in the grand final. While fans know her from the BBC show, as well as from Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance in the US, a lesser-known credit has now come to light.
During an appearance on the Useless Hotline Podcast, Warr disclosed that she featured in an episode of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC) in 2021. The episode featured former cast member Jen Shah, who was later sentenced to over six years in prison for wire fraud.
A Surprise Salsa Lesson with a Future Inmate
"I was on an episode of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Do you remember Jen? So I taught her a salsa lesson with her husband," Alexis explained to a shocked podcast host, Max Balegde. She described the scene, recalling Shah arriving in a "leopard tight suit" for the surprise date organised by her husband, Sharrieff.
Warr stated she was unaware of any ongoing storyline or legal issues at the time, emphasising, "I honestly didn't even know story-wise of anything. It was a long time ago, it was season one." Balegde reacted with astonishment, noting Shah's criminal conviction and imminent release.
Jen Shah's Fraud Conviction and Upcoming Release
Jen Shah appeared on three series of the explosive reality show before her legal troubles culminated in a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in July 2022. She was sentenced in 2023 and is serving her term in a minimum-security prison in Texas.
In a recent development, Shah's sentence was reduced, and she is now scheduled to be released from prison next week.
Strictly's Semifinal Line-Up and Dance-Off Record
Meanwhile, the focus returns to the ballroom as Warr and Clarke prepare for the penultimate episode of Strictly. They will be joined by the other remaining couples: Balvinder Sopal with Julian Caillon, Lewis Cope, Amber Davies, and Karen Carney.
The competition intensified last weekend when Balvinder Sopal made Strictly history. By defeating Alex Kingston in the dance-off, she now holds the record for the most dance-off wins since 2015. Sopal and her professional partner have now outlasted five couples in the bottom two, surpassing the previous record of four set by Jamelia a decade ago.
