Strictly’s Janette Manrara says family was penniless as she reveals heartbreaking Christmas

Aljakorjanec, her husband’s professional dancer, is still practicing daily in preparation for impressing the Strictly Come Dancing judges on Saturday. Janette Manrara has been holding the fort at home. The couple, who married seven years ago, are parents to 16-month-old daughter Lyra and while Aljaž, 34, gets as far as he can in the competition with former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, Janette has been in full Christmas mode, as she tells OK!.

Strictly: It Takes Two co-host Janette, 41, is also using this time to raise awareness of Action For Children’s Secret Santa campaign, which is especially close to her heart because, as she tells new, she wasn’t always as fortunate as she is today…

Hi, Janette! Who gets more excited about Christmas, you or Aljaž?

Both of us. But he’s got a slightly different priority right now until 14 December. We all just want to pass the time until Christmas.

You spent last Christmas with Aljaž’s family in Slovenia – it’s your family in Miami this year, isn’t it?

Yes, and our families do Christmas very differently. My family is loud and big, everything is red, green and gold, and the outside of the house is lit up like Santa’s home. Every year, they are crazy at Christmas. Aljaž’s family are more cosy and warm at Christmas. Because Lyra was a young baby last year, and she will now be able to see all the lights and all the craziness, it was perfect last year.

Tell us why you got involved in Action For Children’s Secret Santa campaign…

Although I’ve been a mother to Lyra [born in July 2023], I’ve always wanted to support and help various charities. Action For Children accomplishes a lot, and it doesn’t just address one issue. They provide food and clothing, of course, but they also provide things like mental health services and financial support. Every child requires a different kind of support, and they all do it in many different ways.

After having personally experienced it, isn’t it a cause that is dear to your heart?

I’ll be honest with you, I grew up in a household that had very, very little. If anything, my adolescent behavior would have been more of a family, which Action For Children could have used as a resource. My mother, dad, brother, and I once shared a bedroom with two other residents who lived nearby, along with my parents. Given that I had very little to offer up until now, I am aware of the value of family love. My parents were always much more focused on the things we had and our families, not the things we did.

Do you attempt to teach Lyra that lesson?

Yes, I have a lot of blessings and blessings for her, but I’m aware that she recognizes how fortunate we are to be in this position. I don’t buy her a million presents, I don’t buy her loads of clothes. If anything, I buy her lots of books because I really want her to love books. She should be able to share her experiences and show kindness.

Do you find it challenging to be asked if you want to have a second child?

No, I never get annoyed. That those kinds of questions are never actually asked of men is what I find a little frustrating. It’s a one-way system towards women and I think that needs to change. Aljaž could do a million interviews and they’ll never ask, ‘ Are you going to have another baby? ‘ But in our home, parenting is 50-50. Alja was the main factor in my decision to become a mother because I knew I could do it if we worked together.

It’s a lot to work at juggling your jobs on Strictly and Alja on It Takes Two…

I’m part-time with It Takes Two and Aljaž is so busy with Strictly, so I’m taking the reins with Lyra at the moment, but that changes and we absolutely co-parent straight down the middle.

Are you allowed to pick a favourite on Strictly? Who is it?

No, I’m not allowed because of It Takes Two. But I can say that I’ve loved this series for many reasons – and the surprise element that Chris]McCausland] has given us is one of those. I don’t think people expected him to deliver in the way he’s delivered. He has completely removed any social norms that limit you from doing things like being blind or having some other type of disability.

What did you think of Aljaž and Tasha’s dance that they dedicated to Lyra?

I was in tears! I’ve honestly loved watching Aljaž back on the show. When we first met we danced with other partners, so I fell
watching him dance, I fell in love with him. And for our family to now be his wife, having a young girl watch her father dance on television is such a lovely thing.

You all get on well with Tasha too, don’t you?

Yes, I said to her – because I really meant it – that if Lyra grows up to be like Tasha, who’s so humble and kind and gracious, I’ll be the happiest mum in the world.

Janette visited the Giving Grotto at Action For Children Secret Santa. To become a Secret Santa and help support vulnerable children, donate at iamsanta. org. uk

Source: Mirror