SPOTLIGHT

MEMBER & FORMER DWTS STAR

What is your hometown?

Beaumont

Tell us about your family: I have been married 7 years this July to my wonderful husband Thomas Kelley. We have two boys, Keats (2) Haines (4).

What year were you a dancer? 2022

What current JLB Committee are you on? The ONE!

Tell us about the preparation that goes into the DWTS performance. Our team practiced twice a week up until the big event. We started in late January up until the first week of March. Our choreographers, Haley and Kiley, were wonderful! They made sure we felt comfortable with everything but also pushed us to nail down some tricky choreography. I practiced at home and listened to our songs on repeat, constantly counting 8-counts while I did laundry or cooked dinner.

What was your most favorite part of being a DWTS dancer and the most challenging part?

My favorite part was getting to know my team and seeing our hard work pay off. The big night was the cherry on top. I enjoyed watching everyone’s dances! The most challenging part was getting on stage in front of 800+ people and trying to stay confident while remembering the routine.

What did you learn about yourself during the whole process? Things are only scary if you say so. Being fearful can hold you back from having a lot of fun. I learned that I’m a lot braver than I thought I was.

If given the chance, would you dance again or have you hung up your dancing shoes?

If I were guaranteed my team again, and they were onboard….I’d say yes! I know what a huge fundraiser this is for our community!

What piece of advice would you give to future JLB dancers?

Say yes! Take the chance. Practice and have fun! And most importantly be proud of yourself. And order your costume well in advance–having it arrive one hour before showtime isn’t ideal.