Who doesn’t love Dirty Dancing?
The 1987 dance film about a young woman who falls in love with her dance instructor, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, is a timeless classic that never gets old.
And now the iconic movie is about to be recreated especially for the stage in a one-off live musical production starring some of your favourite Aussie celebs!
The Real Dirty Dancing, which will soon air on Channel Seven, gives eight Aussie celebs the opportunity to travel to the US – to the exact location where “Kellerman’s Resort” was filmed in Virginia – and undergo an immersive Dirty Dancing experience.
Trained by dancers and choreographers Todd McKenney and Kym Johnson, both of whom have also appeared on Dancing With The Stars, these celebs will basically go to Dirty Dancing boot camp, learning the iconic routines made famous by Baby and Johnny, as well as revisiting key locations and moments from that summer in 1963.
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Each celeb’s ultimate goal is to be chosen from the group of eight to star as Baby and Johnny in a one-off theatre performance back in Australia – which is actually happening this Thursday at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre – where they will recreate the iconic final dance to (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, including that breathtaking lift.
Watch the famous lift scene in Dirty Dancing below. Story continues after video.
While tickets for the live show on Thursday have sold out, we should hopefully only have to wait a few more weeks for this fascinating and one-of-a-kind show to hit our TV screens.
But in the meantime, let’s meet the eight fabulous Australians set to shimmy and shake their stuff on the dance floor on The Real Dirty Dancing, who it seems have already become fast friends!
Keep scrolling to see if your fave celeb is on board!
Jessica Rowe
JESSICA ROWE
The former Studio 10 TV host and self-described “Crap Housewife” is the first person to admit she’s not the best dancer out there – “Heaven help my dance partner!!” she recently wrote on Instagram – but if there’s a woman we can count on to bring a positive attitude to a tough task, it’s Jess.
Anna Heinrich
ANNA HEINRICH
Although we first met Anna on Tim Robards’ season of The Bachelor (and of course the pair are now happily married), she’s determined to prove she’s got more than one season of a reality show up her sleeve.
After starring on Trial By Kyle with Kyle Sandilands, the criminal lawyer is clearly keen to expand her TV work. And we think with her killer body and taste for spot-on red carpet looks, she’s one to watch!
Hugh Sheridan
HUGH SHERIDAN
Australia first fell in love with the affable (and handsome!) Hugh on Packed To The Rafters and House Husbands, and now we’re treated to more of the talented 34-year-old on Channel 10’s Five Bedrooms.
But Hugh is somewhat of a triple threat. He has previously attended the Australian Ballet School and is a NIDA graduate, plus he’s got a singing career on the side, even releasing a single Just Can’t Throw Us Away in 2009.
It doesn’t seem like this guy has two left feet! The other blokes better watch out.
Steph Rice
STEPHANIE RICE
Former Olympic swimmer Stephanie Rice won three Olympic gold medals and set five world records before retiring from swimming in 2014. Since then, she’s worked as a model and an influencer (she has a casual 108,000 Instagram followers), promoting her healthy vegan lifestyle.
Dancers have to be fit and strong and Steph is clearly both of those things. We predict her commitment to health and fitness will serve her well in this challenge.
Jamie Durie
JAMIE DURIE
You might think that horticulturalist and landscape designer Jamie Durie would be completely out of his depth on the dance floor, but some of us will recall the 49-year-old’s early career as an exotic dancer in the Australian all-male dance group Manpower Australia.
Don’t remember? Do yourself a favour and have a little Google. Then you’ll understand why we think Durie’s dance talents make him a hot favourite and one to beat.
Firass Dirani
FIRASS DURANI
Firass made his name when he played Sydney nightlife king John Ibrahim in the 2010 series Underbelly: The Golden Mile, before starring in House Husbands alongside Hugh Sheridan.
The 35-year-old has an impressive resume, having starred in dozens of films and TV shows, as well as some serious theatre credits, so he will have no trouble getting into character as Johnny for this performance.
Jude Bolton
JUDE BOLTON
Footy fans worship Jude Bolton – the former AFL player was one of the Sydney Swans’ most celebrated stars between 1999 and 2013.
After retirement, he had a stint on Dancing With The Stars, even competing against his wife Lynette.
While he didn’t take out the top spot, we love that Jude is giving dancing another shot.
Anne Edmonds
ANNE EDMONDS
The hilarious Anne will no doubt bring some much-appreciated humour to the show, with the star of the ABC comedy series The Edge of the Bush flying over to Virginia to try her hand at dancing.
Fans of The Project or Have You Been Paying Attention? might recognise Anne from her guest appearances on those shows, so it’s great to see her land a permanent slot on prime time.
Group shot
It seems the cast have well and truly bonded during their trip to Virginia, posting lots of cute group pics on Instagram.
LAX
If you can make it through an airport with your mates, you know you’ve got good ones! The cast pictured in a queue at LAX Airport.
Annahugh
Anna and Hugh getting along like a house on fire!
GirlsSelfie
Yeah the girls! Steph, Jess and Anna looking absolutely gorgeous while filming in Virginia.
Laugh
This is just too cute! Anne, Anna, Steph and Jess sharing a laugh together.
