From bank loan processor to ballroom star: the journey of Janette Manrara
In short: Before she became a household name on British television, Janette Manrara balanced a career as a senior loan processor with rigorous dance training. Her path from Miami to the Strictly Come Dancing stage involved mastering multiple styles, including ballet and hip-hop, while navigating high-stakes reality competitions in both America and Britain.
Born in 1983 to Cuban parents, Janette Manrara initially focused on singing before committing to formal dance education at age 19. Her professional foundation was built on a diverse range of disciplines, including ballroom, pointe, jazz, and salsa. Remarkably, she pursued this training while working a full-time corporate role as a senior loan officer at a bank for seven years, demonstrating a disciplined approach to her dual interests in finance and performance.
Manrara first gained public attention in the United States through the competition show So You Think You Can Dance, where she reached the seventh week of the fifth season. Her transition to the United Kingdom followed in 2013, when she joined the professional cast of Strictly Come Dancing. Over eight series, she partnered with a variety of celebrities, ranging from fashion designers and actors to paralympians. Her tenure on the show was marked by notable milestones, including a perfect score with singer HRVY during the 18th series, which led to her first appearance in the show's final.
In 2021, Manrara pivoted from professional dancing to broadcasting, taking over as a presenter for the spin-off series Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. Beyond her television work, she has engaged in various live tours and published a book in 2024. Her personal life is frequently linked with her husband, Slovenian dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, with whom she has performed extensively. Today, she continues to maintain a presence in British media, including appearances on the BBC programme Morning Live.
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