Played
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Kevin is best known as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing and in this first episode of the Kevin Clifton Show, he sits down with his mentor, Rob Moore and they talk all things from performing, dancing and Strictly to understanding yourself and why being in the spotlight has more than one side.
This very personal podcast is an insight into the man who is the current glitterball champion and the journey he is on. He is someone who wants to entertain and has achieved this through Strictly but if you want to get to know the real Kevin Clifton then this podcast is a must.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
My vision for the podcast is to bring people from all areas of performing life to talk about what it is really like.When you have the chance to listen to successful people and hear about their journeys and vulnerabilities then you are able to identify more closely with them and imagine it is possible for you to do it as well.As a performer, your worth in your career is entirely based on the opinion of the judges or an audience.I have always worried about other’s opinions, have constant imposter syndrome and suffer from anxiety across all areas of my life.Instead of thinking I love entertaining and I'm going out to entertain my thought process is focused on feeling I am not good enough, It’s the paradox of being successful.If there is no void there is no drive.My demeanour is co-dependant on how an audience reacts, in relationships, it’s based on what my partner thinks.You can’t help but notice how the crowd are performing and I can be very reliant on the energy of the audienceWinning Strictly was an amazing moment that I’ll never forget but there was that thought about this success being a result of the people voting and so you are dependent on the approval of others.I've always had this need to prove myself and it has resulted in me having an incredible drive for work and to achieve.I went through a stage of total self-hatred and I didn’t know how to deal with itI didn’t know how to function as a person, and I don’t know how to label it. I was constantly a ball of stress and emotion.I had been convinced I needed to change but it was about not becoming something different but getting back to who you are.As a kid, you live to your best values but as you grow up you put labels on yourself and then fight for the labels because they have become your identity.It’s vital to get rid of all the stuff and get back to what makes you feel happy and your values.Getting back in touch with who I am as a person and concentrating on what I really want to do in life and being clear about my values has moved my life from darkness and self-hatred to a much better place.You must be true to yourself and not be ruled by the expectation of others.You must be the person you are not the person you think others want you to be.BEST MOMENTS
‘I’ve just never been that confident and worry about whether people like me all the time’
‘I was constantly this ball of stress and emotion, constantly sad and emotional’
My mum and dad invested in me and my sister they did anything to help us along in our careers
‘I am starting to understand it doesn’t matter and most people don’t care’
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
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Kevin is speaking with Jake Wood previous competitor on Strictly and known on TV to everyone as Max Branning in East Enders.
His acting career began at 10 and spans 37 years, in this podcast he shares stories and the reality of taking part in Strictly and being in a high profile long-running soap series.
Life is all about trial and error and Jake shares the great highs and the lows that he has experienced in a career that spans decades. This is a highly entertaining episode, listen in now and enjoy.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The best actors take something from all the different techniques, it all takes time. As an actor, you are always trying to do your best.The only way to learn it is to do it but this is the same for professional dancers.Being on Strictly
The celebrities on Strictly are only doing an impression of the dance.There are skill sets that are similar between what dancers and actors do. There are transferable skills such as self-discipline, work ethic and being able to perform on a stage in front of an audienceBeing an actor meant I was confident about doing a performance.Having previously completed work at the National theatre I had a skill set that helped me on Strictly being in front of a live audience.When I sat in the recording studio I realised this was going to be no fun, it was going to be high pressured scary stuff and I’d better be prepared.Before I came out and danced for the first time I didn’t know what I was going to be in the series – the clown , the serious contender.If I didn’t have the skills that I had as an actor it would have been much more difficult.My approach was to do my best, regroup and then get ready for the next battle.Being an actor
I was involved in acting from a young age and enjoyed improvisation classes very early on.I started at 10 and have been acting for 37 years, It’s about understanding emotions and learning about people.You need to understand a character to be able to be authentic and the best actors draw from themselves. You have to want to understand people and what drives their behaviour.Acting is a bubble and the important part is what you do when you come out at the other end.I love what I do but you have to get a balance because it can be a crazy life. It plays into all your insecurities and everyone makes mistakes.The most important is the dedication to be an actor, the process and loving it.BEST MOMENTS
‘He’s announcing me dancing the Samba and I’m thinking is it the left foot or the right foot?’
‘I’m playing a rock star which is very far removed from me as a person’
‘I’ll give you 100% and do whatever you tell me but I haven’t got a fucking clue’
‘It’s a funny show because you are not really on a level playing field’
ABOUT THE HOST
Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been
performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has
worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come
Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.
CONTACT METHOD
Kevin Clifton Instagram
Kevin Clifton Facebook
Kevin Clifton YouTube
