Before Kelly Monaco was hailed as the inaugural champion of "Dancing With the Stars," she faced a daunting warning: participation in the beloved reality dance competition could potentially derail her acting career. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly published on July 5th, Monaco, now 49, reminisced about receiving a fateful letter in her dressing room mailbox at "General Hospital." "There it was," she recounted, "a letter requesting my involvement in 'Dancing with the Stars.' I took it home, seeking advice from family and friends, who all discouraged me, saying, 'Actors don't do reality shows.'"
Monaco admitted, "I was oblivious to the world of ballroom dancing. I had no clue what I was stepping into, but I thought, 'Why not? I'll give anything a shot once.' That's my philosophy in life – seize every opportunity that comes my way."
The reality series, inspired by England's "Strictly Come Dancing," premiered in 2005. Monaco, paired with professional dancer Alec Mazo, faced fierce competition from the likes of John O’Hurley, Joey McIntyre, Rachel Hunter, Evander Holyfield, and Trista Sutter.
"The first season was merely a six-episode trial run," Monaco recalled to EW. "I didn't even tell anyone I was participating, hoping I'd be eliminated first and no one would ever see it." After the premiere, Monaco was devastated by the judges' harsh comments and received one of the lowest scores in the show's history. "That's when I decided, 'Alright, we're in this together. Let's make it count,'" she said. From then on, Monaco gave it her all.
Week after week, Monaco feared elimination, saying, "I didn't consider myself a good dancer at all. But I improved gradually. Viewers could relate to my journey from 'duck feet' to smooth spins." Monaco also battled ruptured eardrums and balance issues, making each dance a personal triumph. "I was proud every week to advance further," she added.
Monaco's dance journey included a memorable wardrobe malfunction during her samba with Mazo in week four. "Alec was meticulous in his preparation," she said. "He'd simulate obstacles for us, but when my dress ripped, it was terrifying. It felt like a laser beam had targeted my costume seconds before we went live." Monaco described the moment: "I looked at the judges, wondering if there was a stop button. Realizing there wasn't, I decided, 'Okay, I'll just hold my dress up while I dance.' Alec was my rock through it all."
According to Monaco, this mishap marked a turning point in her experience. "Before, I was known solely as a soap opera villain. This incident allowed audiences to see the real me, either falling flat or rising above the challenge," she explained.
Monaco's performance set a precedent for the competition, later returning for the only All-Stars season in 2012, placing third with partner Val Chermovskiy. A 34th season has been confirmed for this fall, featuring Alix Earle, Robert Irwin, Jen Affleck, Whitney Leavitt, and more.
"Dancing With the Stars" returns to ABC on Monday nights this fall, promising more breathtaking routines and unforgettable moments.
