\u201cSay yes first and work out the rest later.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo the hard things, do the things that scare you or that you are nervous about,\u201d Kezia said.<\/p>\n
When the opportunity to be involved presented itself, she jumped at the chance \u2013 she had sat on the sidelines of previous events and always wanted to challenge herself. The experience did not disappoint.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t think anyone would ever participate in this process and regret it, there is just no way you could,\u201d Kezia said. \u201cIt 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite Kezia\u2019s eagerness to be involved, she certainly suffered nerves before hitting The Barn dancefloor on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d she said. \u201cOnce we were introduced to the crowd and did our promenade the nerves disappeared and adrenalin kicked in I think.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHip 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,\u201d she said. \u201cHip hop was also great because we got to dance as a team and interact with the other dancers opposed to our ballroom dances.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore we learnt the quickstep Kim (Cella \u2013 choreographer) said it would be a marathon for our brain and body – she wasn’t lying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course in between the Sunday rehearsals and extra practice sessions, Kezia, along with all her fellow \u2018stars\u2019 were busy hosting fundraising events.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy 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,\u201d she said. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole process is so rewarding and it\u2019s an experience that will be very hard to beat.\u201d<\/p>\n
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTY RADFORD (WITH LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cSay yes first and work out the rest later.\u201d 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 […]<\/p>\n