Every time I hear from Trent and Gordana the same thought goes through my mind: How do they fit it all in? British readers will know Trent from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing during which he partnered Pixie Lott. It was an event, both televised and as a stage show, in which he and Gordana featured prominently, but life for the couple as dancers began long before Strictly, as I discovered in Part 1 and in a quick chat with Trent’s Dad Bill in a Fathers’ Day feature. And yet it’s always the same: like I’ve barely scratched the veneer of the couple’s achievements. Time then, I think, for a catch-up.
As I’ve suggested, there are one or two more layers to Trent and Gordana’s dance career than Strictly, but that doesn’t mean the show wasn’t a worth-while investment of their talents.
“Yes, SCD was an amazing opportunity,” Trent agrees, “and has definitely opened some new doors like performing in Puttin’ on the Ritz, which is great as we love to do new projects and keep things mixed up so we stay fresh. We are also lucky we have a great relationship with Burn the Floor [a theatrical dance experience which has been performed across the globe] and that’s a show that’s close to our hearts as that’s where we met, so we’ve been able to work on some things with that as well. We really enjoy the variety of work we are able to do at the moment. We’ve also just returned from Vietnam choreographing and performing on So you Think You Can Dance, which was a really cool experience. Both our first time in Vietnam and working with some great young dancers. The language barrier was interesting as they didn’t speak much English but it’s cool how dance is a language of its own and how much you can communicate through the body. We’re heading back there for two more weeks in December as well, which we are looking forward to.”
I have to say, there’s no language barrier for me but I suspect some inbred inability to ballroom dance might be a more insurmountable hurdle. A somewhat more promising student was pop star Pixie Lott, Trent’s celebrity partner for Strictly. The two of them topped the leader board four times in eleven weeks and were bookies favourites throughout the contest until their shock exit. I’m not sure what that move did for Pixie’s relationship with the programme’s judges, but no matter: she’s remained firm friends with the Whiddons.
“Yes,” Gordana says, “we’ve stayed great friends with her and her entire family. We have the best time when we are all together and we feel like part of the family. I was performing in the show Puttin’ on the Ritz with Trent in Monaco while Pixie was singing and also dancing with Trent. It was really nice because we had a great live orchestra and was also nice because we had dancing with Trent while Pixie was singing, so that was a nice moment, all of us together on stage. With the same show we toured from June till November as guest stars along with Robin and Anya.” [Robin Windsor and Anya Garnis, both of Strictly Come Dancing heritage – and then some..]
Did somebody say Monaco..? Some of you might recall a piece I wrote about Monaco recently and you’ll know that I fell in love with it. Needless to say I’m sufficiently distracted to ask Gordana’s perspective.
“I love Monaco,” she says. “I was there in 2001 performing for new year’s eve with Burn the Floor and later we were there with the same show for a month performing in Le Sporting Club. So Monaco was almost like my home.”
Monaco, the UK, Vietnam, Australia – Trent and Gordana have been taken all over the world courtesy of their dancing talents, but the place they call home is a little way from the bright lights and thronging crowds.
“Home is Maribor in Slovenia now,” Trent explains. “It’s perfect at the moment as we work a lot in the UK. It’s so easy to fly in and out and it’s a perfect location to enjoy Europe. I’ve really fallen in love with the country. It’s really beautiful, has amazing food and a great relaxed healthy lifestyle. But who knows for the future? We think we will probably head back to Australia at some stage though.”
Little fact for you readers: although a Brit, I do like to consider myself a citizen of the world, and as such I’m happy that visitors to this site are split almost half and half between Europe and the US, with an ever-increasing wedge making up the Australasia dynamic (Trent, this must be partly down to you – I thank you). So given that quite a few US readers are logged on now, I’m happy to say that you don’t need to be a BBC viewer to come across the Whiddon name, because Trent has recently featured on NBC’s I Can Do That. Forgive me if this is all old news to you, but for those of us outside the US who haven’t seen it, I must ask Trent what it’s all about.
“That was a really fun gig. It’s a new show that challenges celebrities to perform a different variety act each week. From performing with Blue Man Group to the Dallas cheerleaders. We were there representing Burn the Floor and had to perform as well as teach Jeff Dye (comedian) and Ciara (pop star). It was so much fun. Jeff was hilarious and had us in stitches most of the time. Ciara was really talented but unfortunately she was away in New York most of the time while we were working with Jeff back in LA. It ended up coming together really well though. Nicole Scherzinger ended up taking home the trophy. It was also great just to be back in LA for a little while.”
It’s strange – I feel happy that we’re up to speed, and simultaneously realise the futility of that endeavour: I don’t think it’s possible to ever be fully caught up with Trent and Gordana as they step, spin and leap their way through one acclaimed show after another. Ambitious of me then, eh, to try and pin them down on what life might look like five years from now?
“I have no idea,” Gordana replies, confirming my suspicions. “Not everything we plan happens, so we live day by day and enjoy life.”
Trent concurs: “Yeah we’ve really learnt to just go with life sometimes. But a big goal has always been to have our own show on the West End and Broadway so hopefully life’s got the same idea!”
My thanks (again) to Trent and Gordana for their time, which doesn’t leave too many windows for interviews, so their words are truly appreciated.
I wish anyone luck when it comes to keeping pace with their rather non-stop lives, but if you’d like to try the latest news can be found at the couple’s website: www.trent-gordana.com
You can also follow Trent @TrentWhiddon and Gordana @GordanaGW