Chris Marques reflects on his journey as a judge on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ celebrating its 14-year legacy. He discusses the evolution of ballroom dancing’s popularity, emphasizing its newfound mainstream acceptance among youth. Marques shares how the show has transformed perceptions of dance, making it accessible to all and inspiring many to pursue their passion. Fellow judge Jean-Marc Généreux highlights the cultural impact of the show, noting that dance terminology has become widely recognized.
Over the years, Chris Marques has transformed his fashion choices, opting for more vibrant jackets while maintaining a steadfast commitment to his passion. As a long-standing judge on ‘Dancing with the Stars’, Marques aims to ‘celebrate’ the beloved dance genre. The three-time world salsa champion is set to return to his judging panel this Friday, February 7, and still finds it hard to believe. ‘Initially, even we were skeptical, but here we are, 14 years later, still going strong. It’s simply incredible!’, he shared during a press conference for season 14, which will feature competitors like Olympic champion Florent Manaudou, former Miss France Ève Gilles, and actress Mayane.
Four weeks before the very first live show, the producers told me: ‘We made a mistake, we’re putting you on air’. That’s when my life changed
Four weeks before the very first live show, the producers told me: ‘We made a mistake, we’re putting you on air’. That’s when my life changed
Chris Marques
‘Before now, ballroom dancing had never made it to prime time on any channel. We were completely taken aback. The mere decision to go ahead was monumental. But after the first season, witnessing the audience’s overwhelming response was beyond our expectations’, he explained. Chris Marques’s journey with ‘Dancing with the Stars’ began two decades ago across the English Channel. As the original choreographer for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, he collaborated with his wife, Jaclyn Spencer, to create a unique blend of celebrity and dance. Over time, he became a staple on the show.
In 2010, TF1 decided to adapt this immensely popular UK format that had been captivating audiences for six years. ‘When they acquired the rights, they learned about a little French talent working on the show in England. They reached out to me for a judging role but also offered me the position of artistic director’, Marques recalled. ‘Just four weeks before the inaugural live show, the producers informed me: ‘We made a mistake, we’re putting you on air’. That’s when everything changed for me’, he continued. On February 11, 2011, he was joined by a dazzling Canadian dancer with ten national titles and memorable catchphrases – ‘I buy it!’ I recall our initial discussions about how they wanted to modernize ballroom dancing’, he remarked. Fauve Hautot, now a judge herself, noted that the dance form was previously seen as ‘somewhat niche’.
‘I was aware of its niche status since my parents practiced it for years’, she added. However, she believes ‘it has never felt outdated.’ Throughout the seasons, the show’s portrayal of ballroom dancing has ‘evolved’. ‘Initially, we stuck to classic styles, but we gradually introduced modern elements’, she explained, reminiscing about her age of 25 during the first season. ‘It was quite surreal; I celebrated it at Jean-Marie Bigard’s place with friends’, she chuckled. By the third season, Chris Marques took the show on the road, moving from studio 217 to performance venues across France. ‘The producer at that time said: ‘Listen, we’re launching at Bercy, it’s going to be a big event. We may not sell out, but we’re going for it.’ That night was pure madness’, he recalled.
I was bullied as a kid if I talked about dance at school. That’s no longer the case today
I was bullied as a kid if I talked about dance at school. That’s no longer the case today
Chris Marques
‘We toured for five consecutive years. The show has consistently attracted an enthusiastic audience. We often think of dance as an exclusive pursuit, but it’s genuinely unifying’, he emphasized. Chris Marques is pleased to see that ‘nowadays, discussing dance in middle or high school is perfectly acceptable. I was teased as a child for expressing my interest in dance. That stigma has vanished. It has evolved into a mainstream activity, largely thanks to ‘Dancing with the Stars’, he affirmed.
‘I plan to reach great heights’, he added. ‘Dancing with the Stars’ has likely done more to popularize dance among children and youth than even the Paris Opera. We make it accessible to all, serving as a gateway to dance for everyone. It’s remarkable to think that a prime time show on TF1 has achieved this’.
Many have discovered their passion for dance while watching TF1’s competition. Anthony Colette, inspired by ‘DALS’, pursued his love for dance and eventually became a professional dancer on the show. He even clinched the title last year with Natasha St-Pier during his sixth appearance. Although Chris Marques has not taught classes ‘in a very long time’, he still experiences the enduring popularity of his creation during ‘occasional appearances’. ‘Last year at the Parisian Lollapalooza festival, 10,000 people joined me to dance on my small stage. To put it in perspective, I used to have around 50 or 60 students during a successful session. If that’s not a testament to ‘Dancing with the Stars’, I don’t know what is!, he exclaimed.
In hindsight, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ has become a cultural success because we used elements that come completely from the roots of television
In hindsight, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ has become a cultural success because we used elements that come completely from the roots of television
Jean-Marc Généreux
Jean-Marc Généreux is equally thrilled to see ‘everyone now knows the terms cha cha, rumba, quickstep, and tango’. Over the past three years, he ‘has been engaging with audiences’ to ‘share his insights’. ‘It’s exhilarating because I come from that world. My wife France and I competed for 25 years and later taught dance. It fills me with joy to impart the knowledge I’ve gained’, he expressed.