Kezia does it all with a smile

“Say yes first and work out the rest later.” That is the advice from 2024 Swinging with the Stars winner Kezia Feast, who teamed with Andrew Lockwood, to take home the coveted mirror ball trophy.

The excited winner extending that advice to beyond the Stand Like Stone Foundation but to life more generally as she reflects on an experience that exceeded her expectations.

“Do the hard things, do the things that scare you or that you are nervous about,” Kezia said.

When the opportunity to be involved presented itself, she jumped at the chance – she had sat on the sidelines of previous events and always wanted to challenge herself. The experience did not disappoint.

“I don’t think anyone would ever participate in this process and regret it, there is just no way you could,” Kezia said. “It is so rewarding to be able to give back, raise money for such a good cause that puts money back into our community and schools.

“The dance experience is nothing short of amazing. The friendships and bonds we create and the way we love and support each other and cheer each other on is such a full heart feeling.

“I cannot compare this experience to anything else – I am so sad it is over, but grateful I was able to be a part of it all.”

Despite Kezia’s eagerness to be involved, she certainly suffered nerves before hitting The Barn dancefloor on Saturday night.

“I could not stop clock watching when we were waiting to get called backstage for our first costume change – the nerves were absolutely there, but I think everyone felt the same,” she said. “Once we were introduced to the crowd and did our promenade the nerves disappeared and adrenalin kicked in I think.

“After every dance I just felt more and more confident to go back out and I had the greatest time, I don’t think there are words to explain the joy and happiness I was feeling. I have watched videos back from the night and I don’t think the smile left my face on the dancefloor.”

And each time she hit the dancefloor Kezia was performing a genre she had grown to love, although tango in the end, emerged as her favourite.

“Hip hop was always going to be a favourite of mine, I was so excited when I found out we were doing a step-up mash up,” she said. “Hip hop was also great because we got to dance as a team and interact with the other dancers opposed to our ballroom dances.

“The quickstep was by far the most challenging but not choreography wise. The steps were quite easy to pick up but because of the pace and movements it is a very exhausting four minutes.

“Before we learnt the quickstep Kim (Cella – choreographer) said it would be a marathon for our brain and body – she wasn’t lying.”

Of course in between the Sunday rehearsals and extra practice sessions, Kezia, along with all her fellow ‘stars’ were busy hosting fundraising events.

“My two schools, Allendale East Area School and Glenburnie Primary School, were a huge support to me during my fundraisers – our schools families, students, staff and wider community and their efforts to help me fundraise was phenomenal,” she said. “I had many businesses around town donate prizes, food and gifts for raffles and it shows you one of the many positives to living in a rural town where everyone is happy to support and help each other.”

“They always are there for me, with everything I do but Swinging with the Stars is a three month process and I couldn’t have done it without them backing my 100 per cent from day one.

“The whole process is so rewarding and it’s an experience that will be very hard to beat.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTY RADFORD (WITH LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY)