Aljaz Skorjanec has revealed he is transitioning into acting to pursue his Hollywood dreams after leaving Strictly Come Dancing.
The 32-year-old former Strictly professional is currently taking acting lessons and has started auditioning for roles as he ‘tries to get his foot in the door’ of Hollywood.
The Slovenian dancer and choreographer announced in March that he was leaving after nine years on the BBC’s flagship show.
Career change | : Aljaz Skorjanec has revealed he is transitioning back to acting to pursue his Hollywood dreams after quitting Strictly Come Dancing
He is married to fellow dancer Janette Manrara, 38, and news of his exit came less than a year after she stepped down from the show to become co-host of spin-off It Takes Two .
In an interview with Good morning! MagazineAljaz said: “Being a couple on Strictly has given us an edge and I feel like it can be exactly the same when it comes to, potentially, being on another kind of program one day. televised together.
“I spent nine amazing years on Strictly and felt so lucky to be there, but it was a good time to take a risk and open up to new challenges.
“I want to try other things like film, TV and radio while I’m still quite young and my body is 100% capable.
Big news: The former Strictly pro, 32, is currently taking acting lessons and has started auditioning for roles as he ‘tries to get his foot in the door’ of Hollywood
He explained that he dreamed big and hoped to one day succeed in the industry: “I’m just a fan of the craft and trying to get my foot in the door.
“Do I want to go to Hollywood? Sure! If I hadn’t dreamed big, I never would have ended up on Strictly.
Available now: Read the full interview in Hello magazine, available now
Janette added: “I already imagine him as a top man in Hollywood, he definitely has what it takes and he’s always been my prince charming.”
In her debut series Strictly Come Dancing, Aljaz won the award with model and TV presenter Abbey Clancy in the show’s first all-female finale.
In 2017, he reached the final with partner Gemma Atkinson but missed winners Joe McFadden and Katya Jones.
Speaking about his decision to leave the show, he said: “Janette and I were a team and we helped choreograph each other’s routines and whenever I needed a shoulder or a hug, she was here.”
“But last year was different because for the first time I felt like I was doing it strictly on my own.”
Janette recalled the moment Aljaz shared his news on social media: “The day he made the announcement, we were literally holding hands with tears in our eyes because it was a bittersweet feeling.
“We always say it was never a strict curse for us, it was always a blessing and the best thing for us – in our marriage, in our careers and everything.”
The couple have said they would like to present a TV show together, inspired by husband and wife duo Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.
Couple: He followed in the footsteps of his wife Janette Manrara, who announced her own departure from the professional line-up last year as she stepped into the role of presenter for It Takes Two (pictured starring in the issue in 2021)
In a statement announcing his departure from Strictly, Aljaž said: “On a beautiful sunny day in May 2013, a phone call changed my life forever!”
‘It just happened…we would like to offer you a position on @bbcstrictly as a professional dancer. A dream came true and it was the biggest opportunity for a 23-year-old boy from Slovenia
“No matter how many beautiful ballrooms I’ve played in during my competitive career, stepping onto the hallowed ground Strictly was the most nervous I’ve ever been.”
“A short time ago I made the difficult decision that Strictly 2021 would be my last. The show has given me the opportunity and freedom to create and express myself in front of millions of people every weekend. over the past 9 years.
“The love and support I received from the team of producers was second to none. Jason Gilkison, Sarah James, Kim Winston, Jack Gledhill are just a few of the unsung heroes behind the success of the show – I I will be eternally grateful to them!
Born in Slovenia, Aljaž started dancing at the age of five and enjoyed great success in his home country, where he won 19 Slovenian Ballroom and Latin Championships.
Strictly Come Dancing, a BBC Studios Entertainment production for the BBC, will return for its fabulous twentieth series on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later in 2022.
Moving on: In a statement posted on social media, Aljaž said, “On a beautiful sunny day in May 2013, a phone call changed my life forever!”
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