Ahead of his new solo tour Freedom, South African dance star Johannes Radebe tells Sarah-Jane Outten – after some of those Zoom-based tech issues we all know and love – about how the idea of the tour was developed, how much it means to him personally and the importance of his Strictly Come Dancing success.
Read the full interview, or watch the video version, below.
Hi Johannes, how are you today?
I’m fantastic, how are you my darling?
Very well. I’m so happy to see you today!
Thank you! I’m so sorry I’m late [looking puzzled at the laptop]… I was like, what is going on?
It’s okay, honestly, whenever I have to use this kind of technology I get kinda scared!
Oh, Sarah! What are we like?
I think we’re all the same! So Johannes, tell me all about the tour that’s coming up: it looks so exciting.
Sarah, that show is going to be a burst of colour, energy, and everything fabulous. From the set down to the costumes, the dancers are phenomenal, in their own right – they’ve been handpicked, and that makes me very happy that it’s so personal. I’ve always wanted a show full of people that are hired based on their talent and nothing else.
I created Freedom because there is no more fear of self-expression and shame attached to what it is I’m doing. I’m so happy to be paying homage to my African roots and to take that and put it into a beautiful theatre setting for you people, I think that’s going to be special. The opportunity to dance to my own beat for the first time – that is, I think, a milestone. I just can’t wait to share that, to share dance with people that have supported my journey for the last four years, and to say thank you.
Would you say this is going to tell the story of your journey up until now?
Yes – it will tell where I started, what influenced me as a dancer; things I feel still need to be highlighted, and things that people still need to be educated about. My community. And to show them the fact that this African boy crossed over into the western world and learned about that culture as well and loved it in the process. There will definitely be top hats and tails, and the heels and fans might make an appearance!
I very much hope so! The mention of your community – how would you describe that community? Who is it you’re trying to reach?
I’m trying to reach the young Johannes because if we don’t dare to sell dreams to them they’re never gonna realise their own dreams. I know someone who sold me a dream and look how far it’s gotten me. I just feel like there aren’t enough role models in that regard, and I feel it’s vital I take this show back home to the [South African] townships so that youngsters can see and aspire to it.
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When I looked at the advertising for your show I was immediately drawn to the costume you are wearing. How much input did you have and what can we expect?
I’ve got a team of people that are incredible and have a vision. But that costume will be the opening of my show: I’ve named that section ‘Homecoming – Coming Of Age’. Normally, that concept comes from girls turning 21, where if they’re not pregnant as yet, families would celebrate the coming of age. It would show the young fellas what [the young women] are. But I’ve always disliked that – it’s so 1940s – and I wanted to change that narrative. We have moved on with the times.
Now that I’m older, like I said, it’s a homecoming because I never had my 21st the way it should have been celebrated – with beautiful attire like you’ve seen. It will be a celebration of note: we will dance in our traditional attire, sing and dance and eat! That costume is paying homage to my roots and reconnecting me. This is my culture and I’ve always thought: if the world could see this, I wish it could see this kind of happiness.
How amazing to have this opportunity. You must be feeling on top of the world right now.
Listen, Sarah, different times and different days – it’s up and down. Sometimes I’m on cloud nine and sometimes I feel like running away [laughter]. It really wouldn’t be challenging if it was smooth sailing.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the last series of Strictly with you and John Whaite. History made – and it was so emotional. I for one adored every single second but you must be on cloud nine?!
Darling, I don’t think I’ll ever get off! It has boosted my self-esteem and confidence as a young black gay man – it has empowered me in ways I cannot tell you. I can only imagine what others have experienced and how people have grown. I’m fully aware of it now, I saw the love and I appreciated everything. I was a hot mess every Saturday! I could not fathom that we had the public behind us – that was special.
I followed your and John’s journey online and saw so many young males having the confidence to speak out about it; feeling recognised, and like they had just been discovered. How amazing for that to happen.
It was incredible, something I wish I could have seen when I was a young boy. A lot of people I come across in the street will stop me… there was a lady just this morning who said, “you have helped us as a family to understand who my brother is.”
Because the parents love Strictly Come Dancing and they watch it as a family, I know that it has changed some people’s lives for the better – and mine in the process.
I’m a parent: I want to see same-sex couples on my TV and don’t want this to be a big deal. I want this to be normality – to look like this is how the world is supposed to be. I feel like you and John took the opportunity and it really worked.
We have people like Sarah James, the executive producer, those are the people we call trailblazers and history changers. I always say the future is female!
Enough said! Johannes, I wish we could talk for longer but you will be at the Swansea Arena on Thurs 24 Mar – not too long to wait now. A new arena, just for you!
I know, I’m just like – this is it! I cannot wait, I’ve heard such good things. Sarah, my darling, thank you for your time.
Thurs 24 Mar. Tickets: £28. Info: here.
Sun 24 Apr, Llandudno Venue Cymru. Tickets: £28-88. Info here.
Mon 25 Apr, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff. Tickets: £29.50-£85. Info here.
words SARAH-JANE OUTTEN