GLAAD’s Anthony Allen Ramos joined Mraz and his dance partner Daniella Karagach in the studio as they rehearsed for Whitney Houston week and the duo had a lot to say about sharing this experience together.
“I’m very fortunate to have a partner who puts in the work and is excited to be here,” Daniella, who is a former DWTS champion says about Mraz.
The singer spoke about how trying something new and being on the show has helped him go from feeling silly, to cool, to confident. “It’s a good metaphor for life. We may wake up one day and just feel uncomfortable for no reason at all,” Mraz began to explain. “It happens to me all the time and I have to figure out how to accept myself, get back into my body, move through life in ways that I’m happy about. And so by the end of the day, I feel accomplished and I feel happy to be me and dance is, is an amazing medium for that transformation.”
Mraz isn’t the only person bringing LGBTQ representation to the dance floor this season.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know her, she’s a wonderful person and tough competition,” Mraz says about fellow bisexual competitor Ariana Madix.
Ramos and Mraz bonded over both being recognized in the 2023 Out100 List; an annual publication by Out including a prestigious compilation of the year’s most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people.
“Stepping into this new acceptance and new identity” wasn’t easy at first, Mraz shares. So, to be featured in the Out100 felt “nice to be acknowledged.” He went on to say that, “It’s as hot as the Billboard 100!” which is something he knows all about!
Fans have a lot to look forward to from the duo including a “fun and vibrant” routine for Whitney Houston week, followed by the long awaited Taylor Swift week!
Mraz reflected on the time he performed with Swift on stage in 2011 and complimented her allyship over the years. “If you want your music to be popular and hope to have it be heard by all ears, therefore you’re representing all ears and therefore you should be inclusive of all ears and make space and make love and make acknowledgment of all ears.”
Watch Swift and Mraz’s performance here:
Don’t miss Dancing with the Stars Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, and streaming the following day on Hulu.