The track Baila como puede is prepared for its upcoming premiere on TVE. This Tuesday, the public channel unveiled a new dance format hosted by Anne Igartiburu. Eight celebrities and sixteen dance professionals will showcase their talents through intricate choreography.
Igartiburu described the program as highly inclusive for TVE audiences. The spotlight centers on the participants, with celebrities drawing viewers in. The team behind the scenes emphasizes authentic, collaborative work, noting that every move can be measured in millimeters during the performances. This was stated at the press conference covered by YOTELE.
It was time for TVE to host a dance program on La 1 again. With the participation of celebrities, the producers aimed to do something fresh that honors the dancers and choreographers. The format blends hard work with emotion, and the staging was carefully crafted. Ana Bordás, director of RTVE Originals, described it as an original concept where the camera rotates. The real contestants are the professional dancers, while eight celebrities participate and each chooses a dancer to bring out their best. Miguel Martín, Zeppelin’s general manager, noted this dynamic.
The effort shown by celebrities to highlight the work of dancers was highlighted by choreographer Aaron Mata, who stressed that dance is demanding and requires sacrifice. Formats like this reveal how challenging the craft can be.
Álvaro Muñoz Escassi, Ana Guerra, Fabiola Martínez, Jaime Astrain, Lydia Lozano, Maestro Joao, Nicolás Vallejo-Nágera, and Sabrina Salerno are among the celebrities taking on the challenge of learning intricate routines from professional dancers. They will push the limits of the 16 professional contestants: Alba Keita, Anna Valdivieso, Darío Saez, Esther Casterá, Ilya Vybornov, Iván Guijo, Javier Vachiano, Keryan Pastelero, Lucrecia Petraglia, María Seco, Natalia Vela, Nick Morilla, Raúl Calvente, Sandra-Ly Flor, Santiago Granizal, and Sarah Bonfill. The ages range from 18 to 38, and these participants have made dance the driving force of their lives, mastering styles that span urban, flamenco, lyrical, jazz, funk, reggaeton, samba, cha-cha and sexy styles.
Sabrina Salerno shared that a month in Madrid brought experiences she hadn’t felt in ten years, and she plans to carry that energy through the premiere. She described feeling connected to her fellow dancers and learning from everyone involved. Lydia Lozano echoed the sentiment, noting the deep emotional involvement and the intense journey the cast undergoes, including moments of exhaustion and joy alike.
Maestro Joao reflected on the experience, admitting that no one expected the format to unfold this way and praising the choice to embrace age diversity. Ana Guerra agreed, saying the level is high and there are moments when reaching 100 percent feels daunting.
This is not a normal dance competition
The eight celebrities and sixteen dance professionals will be judged by a panel of four from dance, entertainment, and acting: Beatriz Luengo, Rafa Méndez, Norma Duval, and Yolanda Ramos.
Yolanda Ramos described the format as a chance to explore humanity and empathy through dance, calling it unlike any other competition she has seen on television. Norma Duval praised the live, daily interaction between celebrities and dancers and expressed delight that public television is backing a program that families can enjoy together. Rafa Méndez felt moved by how openly the celebrities and dancers shared their journeys, becoming a source of inspiration for others who faced obstacles in their lives. Beatriz Luengo, who began dancing on TVE as a child, expressed happiness to be back on air and admired the program for its original music and provocative format.
Joao added that the format challenges assumptions about age or profile, while Ana Guerra acknowledged the high expectations set by the show.
This is dance as much as possible
In the opening episode, a celebrity selects a professional dancer to form a pair, with those not chosen moving to a reserve list and waiting to be picked later. The dancer must accept or decline selection and may remain on standby until another pairing opportunity arises.
Across subsequent episodes, the pairs will tackle choreographies centered on predetermined themes, with responsibilities to teach the dances to their partners. The goal is to showcase growth and teamwork, culminating in dynamic performances that test both technique and presence.
The judging panel will evaluate weekly performances, with Beatriz Luengo, Rafa Méndez, and Norma Duval focusing on technical precision while Yolanda Ramos emphasizes the interpretive and emotional aspects of the duets. The panel’s assessments determine whether a professional dancer continues in the competition or exits, with a new teacher selected from the reserve group as needed.
Teams will compete in group choreographies created by Aaron Mata, a professional dancer and choreographer whose resume spans Madrid, Los Angeles, New York, Valencia, Barcelona, and London, and includes work with artists such as Rihanna, Shakira, Becky G, Todrick Hall, and Jason Derulo. The outdoor group numbers will pose a major new challenge, with 48 hours to prepare before the live performances in front of the judges. Song selections for this phase include Michael Jackson’s Thriller and La La Land’s Another Day of Sun, setting distinct vibes for the celebrities and contestants alike.
Mid-season eliminations will thin the field, leaving only finalists to perform in a grand final. The winning duo’s professional dancer will claim a prize of €50,000. The professional dancers will reside together in the Dance As You Can School for ten weeks, remaining fully engaged in the competition.