Some of the 10 contestants in the second season of Dance Your Butt Off, starting next Tuesday on SABC1. The three Durban contestants are Sabelo Xaba, left, Sam Hlophe, centre, and Natasha Buyane, third right. Some of the 10 contestants in the second season of Dance Your Butt Off, starting next Tuesday on SABC1. The three Durban contestants are Sabelo Xaba, left, Sam Hlophe, centre, and Natasha Buyane, third right.
THREE Durbanites are among 10 overweight people selected to compete in the second season of the fun DANCE YOUR BUTT OFF, scheduled to start at 6.30pm next Tuesday on SABC1.
A show designed to take overweight people from fat to phat, it will have its super-sized contestants dieting, exercising and dancing their butts off in a bid to win R100 000… and waltz off with a more sleek physique.
Durban representatives include 25-year-old Sam Hlophe, a freelance music artist who is trying to make it big, but is painfully aware of the focus on image in the entertainment industry.
She starts the contest weighing 125.4kg.
Also from Surf City is Natasha Buyane, 21, who, having lost her parents and the grandmother who raised her, sometimes feels “out” because of her weight and has always been teased.
Buyane starts the contest weighing 116.5kg.
Completing the Durban link is Sabelo Xaba, 30, an entrepreneur who says he loves eating meat, pap and greasy food – but has found he gets tired easily because of his weight.
Xaba starts the contest weighing 126kg.
The show, most of whose other contestants are from Joburg and Pretoria, returns with a stylish new format featuring audience favourites from the first season, bubbly host Relebogile Mabotja and celebrity judges Somizi “SomGaga” Mhlongo and Khabonina “Kha’bodacious” Qubeka.
From week two, they will be joined by a surprise guest judge every week.
“Season two promises to be tougher and more demanding, but also more entertaining and informative, as healthy eating and lifestyle tips from the pros will be incorporated into the episodes,” says SABC1 publicity manager Vukile Madlala.
“And all the while, the ‘cheat fridge’ remains tantalisingly within reach.”
In the first episode, viewers will be treated to highlights (and lowlights) of the Joburg and Durban auditions, and will also meet all the contestants.
Viewers will also be introduced to the experts who will be ensuring the contestants eat correctly, exercise and receive proper medical supervision while learning their dance moves.
The team includes dietitian Dr Faaiza Paruk – who winces when she sees the grease-laden “last supper” the contestants cook for themselves – as well as Dr NT Mthupha, who will monitor their health throughout the series.
Then there are trainer Ben Dhlodhlo and ace choreographers Thabo Tolo and Jerry Lekgethe, who will put the contestants through their paces to help the kilos melt off.
Viewers will also catch up with Soweto resident Nkosana Bembe, who won the debut season of the show and the R100 000 grand prize after shedding 29.6kg. Has he managed to maintain his weight and change his lifestyle for the better?
Right from the word go, the judges warn the contestants there will be no more Mr Nice Guy or Ms Nice Girl when it comes to assessing dance routines. “You must raise the bar,” says Mhlongo. “We’ll be very strict on technique and showmanship.”
To which Qubeka adds: “We want people to bring out the true dancer in themselves.”