I am a self?confessed superfan. But this isn’t just another interview for me. It is my third time chatting with the one and only Karen Hauer, the Venezuelan whirlwind who became the heart and soul of Strictly Come Dancing for an incredible 14 years. From the very first time we met, I have been completely under her spell. I have followed her every paso doble, jive, and show dance, religiously watching her compete, cheering her on from the sofas of Britain.
So, when we caught up for this exclusive, it felt less like an interview and more like a gossip between old friends. After a quick catch-up on her dreamy Instagram holiday (yes, I was following along every day!), we got down to business. Now that she’s hung up her Strictly sequins for good, what does the future hold for the show’s longest-serving female professional dancer? As it turns out, Karen has swapped the BBC ballroom for a pair of tap shoes and some of the biggest live stages in the country, and she’s absolutely buzzing about it.
Monica Costa: You were on Strictly for 14 years, which is a lifetime in showbiz. Now that you’ve left, what do you miss the most?
Karen Hauer: I seriously have the best memories of Strictly, and the people that I met. It’s all feel good, you know? That is something that you don’t get a lot of when you’re on a job for that long. I’m going to miss a little bit of everything.
Monica: You’re already involved into some brilliant new projects. First up, a stage show called Stepping Out. What can you tell us about it?
Karen: Yes! It’s a comedy, and I play Mavis, the teacher of an amateur tap class full of hapless dancers. My dream has always been to learn tap, but I can’t find anyone in London who teaches it well, because everyone wants to do hip-hop. This is my chance. It’s really hard, so I’m definitely doing a crash course.
Monica: I have a confession, I’m also a huge fan of Burn the Floor. And you’re going back to your roots with their new show, Supernova.
Karen: Yes, and it’s going to be on stage with my boy Nikita Kuzmin! I never saw that coming. I was a principal dancer with them on Broadway and in the West End, so it feels like coming home to my original dance family. To be asked back as a guest artist is amazing. I thought I was going to have a little more chill time, but I am everywhere now!
Monica: And while you were on Strictly, you danced with a lot of celebrities. Who still makes you laugh?
Karen: Oh, definitely my second year, when I danced with the Hairy Biker, Dave Myers. That was the moment I discovered I could be funny. I’m very serious about my dancing, but he opened up this new world of comedy and fun for me. He showed me how to not take myself so seriously, and I kept that with me throughout my whole career.
Monica: So, what’s the best advice you could give to a beginner who is terrified of looking silly, maybe trying tap dancing for the first time?
Karen: Don’t be afraid to look like anything specific! There’s no such thing as perfection in dance. It’s about the feeling. People don’t remember how many times you pointed your toe or if your arm was perfectly straight; they remember how you made them feel. Enjoy yourself. It’s okay to feel funny and not know what you’re doing. You’ll eventually learn how to do it. Give yourself time.
It was a genuine pleasure to chat with Karen again. I’ve seen her in the Speakeasy and Fire Dance live shows, and I cannot wait to see her on stage in these new roles. If you want to catch her, you’d better get booking!
How to see Karen live this summer:
Supernova with Nikita Kuzmin
Presented by Burn the Floor, this explosive new dance spectacular is touring the UK. The incredible Karen Hauer joins Strictly finalist Nikita Kuzmin as a very special guest. It’s a homecoming for Karen, who was a principal dancer with the show.
www.nikitasupernova.uk
Stepping Out Tour
Karen stars as Mavis, the dance teacher, in this joyful comedy about a group of hapless amateur tap dancers preparing for a gala performance. It’s touring to four locations this summer and autumn.
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne: Thu 13 – Sat 29 Aug 2026
Book Stepping Out tickets | Eastbourne Theatres Eastbourne
Palace Theatre, Southend: Tue 1 – Sat 5 Sep 2026
Book Stepping Out tickets | Palace Theatre Southend
Fareham Live, Fareham: Tue 15 – Sat 19 Sep 2026
Book Stepping Out tickets | Fareham Live Fareham
Churchill Theatre, Bromley: Tue 22 – Sat 26 Sep 2026
Book Stepping Out tickets | Churchill Theatre Bromley
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Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
