So sad about Strictly.

[CurlewKate]

It's been part of our family life since it started. I really wanted to think it was as wholesome and joyous and life affirming as it looked, even though I knew it probably wasn't.

And there are celebrities that I feel differently about now because they didn't blow the whistle.😢

I’m starting to believe that most tv and film culture is massively toxic below the surface.

All those inflated egos, jockeying for position. Ew.

What's happened? I agree that most TV and film sets are likely cesspools.

And there are celebrities that I feel differently about now because they didn't blow the whistle
What do you mean @CurlewKate ? That sounds like you are blaming victims for not disclosing?!
They were placed in a position of vulnerability because the 'professional' was in full control of the training and the role of the celebrity was to comply!
Look at the vile bullying that Amanda Abbington received when she tried to do exactly this.
Yet again the producers (bbc in this case) have failed in the duty of care.

I think there's an significant element of the professionals treating the celebrities how they were treated when they were growing up and training... so yes, definitely abusive (and interesting that Gio and Graz are both Italian...) but doesn't necessarily mean everyone on the show's experience is the same. There definitely have been similar stories over the years though, about both male and female professionals.

The majority of celebs - especially the ones who aren't super competitive - seem to have a lovely time.

If Graziano does have an anger management problem, I worry for his wife - they seem very keen on media attention and I wonder if she bears the brunt of his desire for fame.

It is. I’m friends with women in the entertainment industry.

Knowing what I know, I get very frustrated with how many people sell kids dreams of stardom and push them into the performing arts world without doing any research into exactly how to prepare them for the emotional, physical and (if female or a gay male) the sexual harassment or abuse they are likely to encounter in the world.

Certain sports environments too.

@VerasMacAndHat "What do you mean @CurlewKate ? That sounds like you are blaming victims for not disclosing?!"

Absolutely not! I'm thinking of the celebrities who absolutely must have known what was going on but chose not to whistle blow.

There have been huge changes in the professional dance training world in the last 10 years - no longer 'breaking' people to make them correct. As professionals they should have kept themselves up with modern training methods.

but doesn't necessarily mean everyone on the show's experience is the same
Of course not everyone experienced the same abuse. But that doesn't stop the abuse that did occur from highlighting a massive failure in safeguarding and duty of care in the show. The point is, abuse could have happened to any one of the celebrities.

It’s because the celebrities will have been treated that way themselves at some point and believed it’s just part of being in the business. “I didn’t make a fuss when it happened to me, so why have you?”

Did I read right that he was wanted the previous series and is now suing for them not stopping him continuing to be abusive?
I feel like I was the only one who didn’t like Gio and found him slimey and they all act like they are A listers. They are super talented but there as just a weird feel to it all.

Apologies the, and it's good to clarify.

But I wonder if others did know? Or was it all obscured by the overwhelming culture of "how tough the training is for everyone"?

Not sure if he's suing them, but I did see that he said they should have given him anger management classes which is an insane way to react. His argument seems to be that the show pushed him to be so hard on his celebs 🙄

@SnapdragonToadflax
"The majority of celebs - especially the ones who aren't super competitive - seem to have a lovely time."

While turning a blind eye....

I don’t really get the issue. If anyone wants to be able to dance to a high enough standard to be on Saturday night telly and not be laughed at, they need to train hard. Dance is notorious for the training regimes imposed. Dance instructors are famously harsh.

I wouldn’t do it because I wouldn’t want to be abused and humiliated in draughty dance studios. But then I don’t want to show off in front of millions of people.

Anyone who thinks Strictly is all cosy and supportive - those chats on the sofa 🤮 - is easily led.

Media has always been thus. DH used to work in TV production and Radio as a presenter. It’s a very hard game and he does not miss it.
Egos galore and incredibly toxic.

I have been thinking of what the producers can do to prevent this type of situation. I read that they are thinking of introducing chaperones for the celebrities.

I also think that they should put a limit on the number of hours the celebrities are allowed to train per day and every couple should follow the same rules on that. In their interviews some couples talk about training to the point of exhaustion and then it seems like a competition on who has worked the hardest/most.

I've never watched Strictly but broadcasting seems to be a cess pit and it's not changing quickly enough.

From the times of famous radio DJs and other celebrities taking advantage of young fans, women only being allowed into certain roles, modern celebrities like Russell Brand using studio assistants to scout out women to have sex with, dancers spitting at and kicking women.

Where is the accountability and safeguarding? Why didn't Zara feel able to speak out?

It’s actually put me off the whole programme tbh.

Dance is notorious for the training regimes imposed. Dance instructors are famously harsh

They famously kick their students and spit ar them do they @FinalCeleryScheme ?

And that was made clear to non-dancers signing up for the show?

Where is the accountability and safeguarding? Why didn't Zara feel able to speak out?

I think Zara saw how Amanda who is older, been in the industry longer and taken more seriously was treated, so Zara being seen as some Love Island idiot would not have had the confidence to speak out.

I don think Strictly will have chaperones for training now. And there have been stories in the past of celebs and pros who didn't get on, which I imagine was at least partly training styles.

I think that some of the pros are a lot more competitive than the others and they treat their partners as professionals not celebs who are doing it for fun.

What has happened?

That's the point I'm making. A woman is putting up with abusive behaviour because she doesn't feel as though she'll be taken seriously and thinks it will make the situation worse. There doesn't seem to be anything in place to safeguard and protect people. Who at the show is responsible for the staff and why haven't they been sacked given that several women have been found to have been abused? Where is the accountability here?

Clearly the dance culture of "tough training" obscured the abuse. I'm guessing the celebs all compare bruises, blisters strains and tales of exhausting training. Zara may well have felt that they were experiencing the same as her and that if they were coping she should 'cope' well.
It appears that it was actually members of the crew that finally blew the whistle.

@cupcaske123 @VerasMacAndHat I agree heads at the BBC need to roll. Who is responsible for the experience these celebs have on the show?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck5g1d74je6o