Dancing With The Stars NZ Judges Include Hip-Hop Dancer And A 'shock' Announcement

Dancing With the Stars NZ has spread its wings with the announcement of the judging panel for this year’s series.

While familiar judge Camilla Sacre-Dallerup is back from her home in Denmark as head judge, she is joined by Kiwi James Luck, whom many will recognise from his starring turn as Elektra Shock on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under and House of Drag.

Sitting alongside the pair will be another new judge – New Zealand hip-hop dancer Lance Savali, who has performed with some of the hottest names in the industry, including Chris Brown and Rihanna. He has performed on the Superbowl stage with Jennifer Lopez, and at Coachella with Beyoncé.

Savali recently showcased his dance skills by choreographing the grand finale performance on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, and in 2021, competed on Celebrity Treasure Island.

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James Luck, meanwhile, has also worked with a host of superstars, including Sia, Elton John and Annie Lennox. He has choreographed for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and taught classes and workshops all over the world. Luck is trained in all forms of dance, including jazz, hip hop, ballroom, Latin and contemporary.

“Being recognised as an expert in your chosen field is such a huge honour,” Luck says. “And to be in the fantastic company of Camilla and Lance is incredible. With such a diverse wealth of experience on the panel, the stars and pro-dancers this season are sure to be pushed harder than ever before.”

Savali is similarly looking forward to his new role: “Having most recently been a TV show contestant, I’m looking forward to being on the judging panel of Dancing with the Stars NZ. When you’re competing to raise money for a charity that means a lot to you, you definitely want to work extra hard in the competition, so I’m really excited to see what all the celebs bring to the dance floor.”

For Sacre-Dallerup, who has been dancing since she was two-and-a-half, this will be her third season on Dancing with the Stars NZ. She has also spent six seasons as a dancer on the BBC’s smash hit series, Strictly Come Dancing.

But Sacre-Dallerup’s skills are not just on the dance floor, she is also a qualified hypnotherapist, life coach and best-selling author – contestants would do well to take on board her advice.

And those contestants have already been named. Competing for the Mirrorball Trophy are: Award-winning media personality Brodie Kane, former professional boxer David Letele, comedian and The Edge Breakfast co-host Eli Matthewson, two-time Olympic medallist Eric Murray, author and mental health advocate Jazz Thornton, accomplished broadcaster and journalist Kerre Woodham, stand-up comedian Rhys Mathewson, and actor-TV presenter Sonia Gray.

Sharyn Casey and Clint Randell will be back to host the show

The show starts on Three on April 24, 2022.