Hilaria Baldwin is embracing both the challenges and excitement of competing on “Dancing with the Stars.”
The entrepreneur, 41, joined the cast for season 34 of the long-running ABC competition and reflected on the experience during the show’s premiere on Sept. 16 in Hollywood, Calif., where she spoke exclusively with People.
Hilaria Baldwin’s Experience on Season 34 of ‘DWTS’ so Far
Baldwin, who danced in her youth, admitted that stepping back into the ballroom hasn’t always been easy but said she is focused on being brave throughout the process.
“I mean, some of it is like visiting a familiar friend when you’re older, and you’ve had a lot of children, and broken some bones, if you can relate to that,” Baldwin said. “But also, some of it is brand new. [My partner], Gleb Savchenko, is asking me to dance on a much higher level than I ever danced.”
Baldwin explained that Savchenko is pushing her to focus on technique and independence as a performer.
“[I’m] really focusing on the quality, the footwork, the authenticity of the dance. And being independent on my own, so I’m not just relying on him to throw me around the dance floor. He makes me do the routine on my own,” she said. “And it’s uncomfortable and embarrassing sometimes.”
Despite the difficulty, Baldwin emphasized that she wanted to be challenged by the competition.
“I keep on reminding myself: I didn’t sign up for this to be comfortable. I signed up for this to do hard things and to be brave. And [Gleb] is the perfect person to do that with,” she said.
Gleb Savchenko Praises Partner Hilaria Baldwin
Longtime ‘DWTS’ pro Savchenko, 42, also told People he has been impressed by Baldwin’s determination.
“Hilaria’s such a hard worker, and I’m just so impressed with the passion that she puts into it,” he said.
He added, “She’s such a perfectionist. You’re working on little details, and she goes, like, ‘No, let’s do it again. Let’s do it again.’ She gets so frustrated with herself. And I’m like, ‘It’s okay. It was actually good.’ [And she goes], ‘No, let’s do it again.’”
Savchenko praised her persistence, saying, “And I love that, because that’s the spirit of a true champion, and I really appreciate that. It’s really inspiring.”
Hilaria Baldwin Shares How Alec Baldwin Supports Her ‘DWTS’ Journey
For her first performance of the season, Baldwin danced a cha-cha-cha to “Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez. She said she’s eager to tackle unfamiliar styles in the weeks ahead.
“I don’t have any experience with the standard dances, so I’m nervous but also excited,” she said. “Because I think when you try something that’s brand new, it’s a little liberating because you’re like, ‘All right, I’m going to try this.’”
She added, “As [Gleb] says, I’m very hard on myself. And so, I’m trying to learn to chill out a little bit. And I think I’ve done a better job at relaxing.”
Baldwin also noted that her husband, Alec Baldwin, has long supported the idea of her joining the show. “He’s been wanting me to do this show for a very long time, and he has been very supportive and he’s very happy for this,” she revealed. “I’ve supported him through a lot, and I think he’s excited to do this.”
“Dancing with the Stars” airs Tuesdays on ABC and simulcasts on Disney+. Episodes stream the following day on Hulu.
