StarDance is in full swing, with 100 episodes already aired. How do you find time for yourself between radio, theater, and dance shows?
Well, this fall there is no need to look for it because I wouldn’t find it (laughs). But of course, I try to plan the season in a way that I have some reward after such a demanding autumn. So, I have a longer break during Christmas. Before that, I don’t have any theater performances, so I even have about fourteen consecutive days off, which I definitely need to recharge. So, I am looking for that time by planning a bit more carefully. That’s my way.
How did you feel after the hundredth episode? Did you reflect on how much life, energy, and time you have dedicated to StarDance?
I don’t need to reflect on how much time and energy I have dedicated. It’s something that is inherent in a person and has been with me for seventeen years. But it’s true that I counted at home, then there was no time for it, how many times I said that phone number. Because there were eight ads for a while, then for a long time, there were ten ads, so over those twelve ads, it was an infinitely high number. But I don’t remember it anymore.
I don’t know if it’s now inappropriate, but behind the scenes of the hundredth episode, everyone was worried that Josef Marlek might not make it because he writes so much and everyone loves it and they are afraid for him.
You can’t ask me an inappropriate question because I consult with every question and I don’t judge. I just say what I want. But I really don’t investigate what happens behind the scenes. I have quite a lot of work those two days. But I understand you.
It’s just humor that you don’t want Pepa to leave because he sings so well. But you shouldn’t take it seriously. It’s just a competition, and there are clear rules in the professional aspect. We don’t give anyone preferences or favoritism; everyone supports each other. Almost everyone is sad when someone leaves. So, when this is said about Pepa, it’s just a compliment that his pastries, cakes, and buns are really good. So, I wouldn’t take away the humor from that statement. It’s a tribute to Pepa Marlek. But otherwise, everyone supports each other equally.
What if your son came to you and said, “Mom, I want to be a host”?
He has already hosted. He did it for about three years on Radio Junior, so this was already resolved. I supported him, listened to him, and it made me happy that he was in such a cultured environment. The offer didn’t come through me; he was chosen through other projects he was doing.
I also learned to some extent because sometimes children surprise you with a completely different approach, different behavior, or not having stage fright. They have their ways, and you see that they have taken something from you. Something is repeated. Radio is a wonderful discipline, cultured, and the child moves in a beautiful environment and has to learn to prepare, to have something ready. I consider it a good side job, even though the children don’t get paid for it. He didn’t do it for money; he did it for joy and for the experience. So, I was glad about that.
But since he is no longer a little junior who can host, he now has a deep adult voice, so he doesn’t do it anymore. So, I don’t know if he would do it again… You would have to ask him. But he is heading in a slightly different direction now. Nevertheless, he had a good encounter with that discipline, and he was quite skillful in it.
In Italy, StarDance is also broadcast on public television RAI, where it is called Ballando con le Stelle. There are actresses who are 76, 78 years old. David Pracha, who was eliminated, was 64. Do you think they will also approach older celebrities?
We definitely had them there. I think Imrich Bugar was definitely older. I don’t know how old Janice Vandová was when she was there. But she was already a kind of lady in this phase of life. A classy lady. I think we can cast wherever the body allows, even older celebrities will want to compete. It depends on their physical abilities. I wouldn’t limit it by age at all. There are truly endless possibilities. It depends on them. For example, if I were in some condition, still able to run, I would go even at eighty. I don’t feel that a person should be ashamed. I would just be decent, I wouldn’t let myself be thrown around (laughs).
Do you think they keep you in mind for the future, that one day they will decide and say, “She won’t host, she will teach”?
No, that’s not in the future. They have already opened that future about four or five times, and I have closed it again (laughs).
We will meet at the launch of Lucie Volfová’s book “How to Create a Home.” How do you create a beautiful atmosphere at home?
I think we all do it in the same way. What surrounds us reflects us. How we feel inside, how we live, we see the world, we somehow mirror it. There is also some influence from the world. So, for example, we can meet at the launch of a book where the word sustainability is in the title because it relates to the development of the era, society, human influence on the planet, and an effort to save something. Logically and correctly, the ways of expression change, but it’s always us, where we live. So, I approach it from the inside. Of course, according to possibilities, not just financial ones. Also, time or space, where you let yourself in. Not everyone has the opportunity to unleash their imagination limitlessly. But that doesn’t mean that even in a small space, it can’t look magical, beautiful, cozy, and make a person happy.
Quality interview.StarDance is in full swing, with 100 episodes already aired. How do you find time for yourself between radio, theater, and dance shows?
Well, this fall there is no need to look for it because I wouldn’t find it (laughs). But of course, I try to plan the season in a way that after such a demanding autumn, I have some reward. So, I have a longer break during Christmas. Before that, I don’t have any theater performances, so I even have about fourteen consecutive days off, which I definitely need to recharge. So, I am looking for that time by planning a bit more carefully. That’s my way.
How did you feel after the hundredth episode? Did you reflect on how much life, energy, and time you have dedicated to StarDance?
You know, I don’t need to reflect on how much time and energy I have dedicated. It’s something that is inherent in a person and has been with me for seventeen years. But it’s true that I counted at home, then there was no time for it, how many times I said that phone number. Because there were eight ads for a while, then for a long time, there were ten ads, so over those twelve ads, it was an infinitely high number. But I don’t remember it anymore.
I don’t know if it’s now inappropriate, but behind the scenes of the hundredth episode, everyone was worried that Josef Marlek might not make it because he writes so much and everyone loves it and they are afraid for him.
You see, you can’t ask me an inappropriate question because I consult with every question and I don’t judge. I just say what I want. But I really don’t investigate what happens behind the scenes. I have quite a lot of work those two days. But I understand you.
It’s just humor that you don’t want Pepa to leave because he sings so well. But you shouldn’t take it seriously. It’s just a competition, and there are clear rules in the professional aspect. We don’t give anyone preferences or judge each other. Everyone supports each other. Almost everyone is sad when someone leaves. So, when this is said about Pepa, it’s just a compliment that his pastries, cakes, and buns are really good. So, I wouldn’t take away the humor from that statement. It’s a tribute to Pepa Marlek. But otherwise, everyone supports each other equally.
What if your son came to you and said, ”Mom, I want to be a host”?
Well, he has already hosted. He did it for about three years on Radio Junior, so this was already resolved. I supported him, listened to him, and it made me happy that he was in such a cultured environment. The offer didn’t come through me because he was chosen through other projects he was involved in.
I actually learned something myself because sometimes children surprise you with a completely different approach, different behavior, or not having stage fright. They have their ways, and you see that they have taken something from you. Something is repeated. Radio is a wonderful discipline, cultured, and the child moves in a nice environment and has to learn to prepare, to have something ready. I consider it a good side job, even though the children don’t get paid for it. He didn’t do it for money; he did it for joy and for the experience. So, I was glad about that.
But since he is no longer a little junior who could host, he now has a deep adult voice, so he doesn’t do it anymore. So, I don’t know if he would do it again… You would have to ask him. But he is heading in a slightly different direction now. Nevertheless, he had a meeting with that discipline, and he was quite skillful in it.
In Italy, StarDance is also broadcast on public television RAI, where it is called Ballando con le Stelle. There are actresses who are 76, 78 years old. David Pracha, who was eliminated, was 64. Do you think they will also approach older celebrities?
We definitely had them there. I think Imrich Bugar was certainly older. I don’t know how old Janice Vandová was when she was there. But she was already, let’s say, a lady in this phase of life. A classy lady. I think we can cast wherever the body allows, even older celebrities will want to compete. It depends on their physical abilities. I wouldn’t limit it by age at all. There are truly endless possibilities. It depends on them. For example, if I were in some condition, still able to run, I would go even at eighty. I don’t feel that a person should be ashamed. I would just be decent, I wouldn’t let myself be thrown around (laughs).
Do you think they keep it in mind that one day you might decide not to host but to teach?
No, that’s not in mind. They have already opened this possibility.
How does StarDance challenge society’s perception of age and talent in the entertainment industry?
N certainly expect to see older celebrities participating in StarDance. It’s not just about young and fit individuals showcasing their dance skills, but also about celebrating the joy of dancing and the passion for movement, regardless of age. Age should not be a limiting factor when it comes to pursuing one’s passions, and StarDance embraces that concept by welcoming diverse contestants of all ages.