New Strictly Come Dancing star Aleksandra Isaeva has spoken about the ongoing war in her native Ukraine, saying news from home brings her “back to reality”. The 22-year-old, one of five dancers joining this year’s cast, fled the war-ravaged nation in 2022 after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion.
Footage of her old home
Isaeva has shared footage of the conflict on social media, including a video of her gazing at her old home before leaving on a bus with her bags. Writing on social media, the champion dancer said: “I have freedom of speech, therefore I will write...at that moment you understand what man and humanity are.
“I thank everyone who supports Ukraine, who supports my family and helps in such a difficult hour. Sometimes I open my eyes and say to myself, what a long and incredibly terrible dream, but news, calls friends, dad... bring it back to reality.”
Moving to Italy
Isaeva, who moved to Italy, added: “I hug everyone with my heart, I pray for everyone and I believe that soon, we will return to our families, to our parents, on our native street. I am infinitely proud to be Ukrainian. Our nation, our unity, our strength - invincible.”
The other new professionals are Cristian Priori, Maddie Ingoldsby, Lethabo Mona-metsi and Mark Karmalita.
Launch show snub
Despite being ranked in the top 21 Latin dancers in the world, Isaeva did not receive a celebrity partner in Saturday’s launch show. YouTuber John Nellis tops the leaderboard, with Australian singer Delta Goodrem in second place. Tied at the bottom are Paralympic champion Sarah Storey, former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and actress Melanie Walters.
Scores will be carried over to Saturday’s Movie Week, combined with the couples’ second dance and the viewer vote, with the bottom two facing a dance-off for survival.
