Former Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara has spoken about the difficulties of balancing her career with family life, describing the juggling act as a "battle". The 42-year-old performer often spends long hours in rehearsal, which means time away from her husband, Aljaž Škorjanec, and their daughter, Lyra.
Following her departure from Strictly: It Takes Two, Janette is preparing to take on a new role in the comedy play Affluenza at Riverside Studios.
'A forever battle'
Asked how she balances family life with rehearsals, she told Hello! Magazine: "It's a forever battle and it's really tough because I just came from having a lot of time off."
She added: "If I'm at home, I'm disconnected from work and just focused on being with Lyra and doing things around the house. If I'm at work, as much as I miss her, I try to compartmentalise that, so that I can focus on my job and do a good job with the play."
Return to work criticism
Janette returned to work just six weeks after giving birth to Lyra in 2023, a decision that drew criticism from social media users. She has since spoken about her disappointment at the negative comments she received, particularly from fellow mums.
Speaking on the Great Company podcast with Jamie Laing, she said: "I remember I was six weeks postpartum and Morning Live called me and asked me if I could come in to host and I was so excited, I was like, 'Yes!'"
She continued: "And then I went [there] and I had an amazing time, I felt like a person again where I wasn't at home with the baby all day. Not that it wasn't lovely, it was a beautiful bubble that I was in with Lyra but I just felt so excited to go back to work."
After sharing her excitement on Instagram, the dancer said she came across comments such as: "I can't believe you're leaving your child." She also revealed that another troll accused her of setting a bad example for other mothers and claimed that she didn't love her child.
Recalling her reaction, she said: "I was like, 'Are you kidding me?' Where is the girl power, the female support if the first person to judge me when I'm doing something is a woman of all people?"
Family support and Strictly exit
Janette also clarified how she balanced motherhood with performing in Chicago during its UK and Ireland tour, which ran for six months last year. She explained that Aljaž stepped back from work to look after Lyra while she fulfilled the role, stressing that she still saw her daughter regularly.
Meanwhile, Aljaž's celebrity dance partner Melanie Walters became the latest contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing last weekend, following a dance-off against Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr.
Following their departure, Janette wrote on Instagram: "I could not be prouder of these two on @bbcstrictly. They worked so hard every day and made sure to have all the fun along the way. Lyra and I love you so much Bučko, and now we’ll be home together having all the family time and cuddles!"
