After winning Dancing With The Stars last year, Lily Cornish returns to TV screens across the nation alongside The Chase Australia’s supernerd Issa Schultz.
After a wobbly start in rehearsals, the 24-year-old star dancer originally from Launceston said she had to help Mr Schultz with his posture.
“He is very different to anyone I’ve ever worked with before but he tried his best,” she said.
“He has such a strong work ethic and he started off in a really hard position.
“After a week of training, he was in so much pain even just to roll his shoulders back from his terrible posture of always just sitting quizzing so it was a very different journey but he did such an amazing job and was such a beautiful person to work with.”
Tasmanian dancer Lily Cornish who is partnered with Issa Schultz from The Chase Australia for Dancing with the Stars 2023. Picture: Seven Network
This season of the popular reality show was pre recorded. The dancing pair were dancing for hours a day in preparation for the competition.
“You start off about four hours a day and then when we start filming it kind of goes to around six hours every day,” Ms Cornish said.
“It’s a lot for someone who’s not used to physical activity and it also is very mentally draining as well.
“Issa sort of felt like an athlete. I was sort of helping him with what to eat and making sure he stayed fit and healthy for the duration of the show.”
Despite filming being over, Ms Cornish said she still checks in with Mr Schultz.
Tasmanian dancer Lily Cornish who is partnered with Issa Schultz from The Chase Australia for Dancing with the Stars 2023. Picture: Seven Network
“He’s got beautiful posture now and his fitness has definitely increased, thank goodness,” she said.
“Prior to the show, he pretty much did zero physical activity so I’m happy now he got his physical activity up and he’s maintaining it.
“He told me he’s still going on walks and it’s got a little bike at home.”
The Brisbane-based dancer also studies science at the University of Queensland.
After completing her exams next week, Ms Cornish will fly back home to Launceston and will watch the season premiere of Dancing With The Stars with her family.
Tasmanian dancer Lily Cornish who is partnered with Issa Schultz from The Chase Australia for Dancing with the Stars 2023. Picture: Seven Network
“I’m not looking forward to the cold,” she said.
“My family gets super into it and they are sometimes more excited than me.
“My stepdad was my coach, all the way through my dancing career and he used to be on Dancing With The Stars himself so he’s my number one fan.”
Next month, Ms Cornish will tour the east coast of Australia for the Burn The Floor tour.
“We start the tour in Melbourne at the end of July and then tour around Australia which will be so amazing and I’ve got my friends and family flying around to see me,” she said.
Dancing With The Stars new season will premiere on Channel 7 at 7pm Sunday, June 18.