Doherty’s Dad Inspired Dancing Stint
By WENNThursday, March 4, 2010
Actress SHANNEN DOHERTY decided to join the DANCING WITH THE STARS line-up in honour of her father, who is recovering from a stroke.
The former Charmed star will don her dancing shoes to participate in the upcoming series of the hit U.S. talent show, after turning down several offers to compete in previous years.
She insists her severe stage fright kept her from signing up in the past - but she decided to accept the challenge this year (10) after watching her dad Tom’s battle to recover from a stroke on Christmas Day (25Dec09).
She tells People.com, “He lost his speech, he wasn’t mobile. He was really struggling, and still is. When I mentioned this to him, he got really excited, and he wanted me to do it. I thought, if my dad can fight through having a stroke and the loss of being able to communicate, I think I can do this for him. So I figured I’m going to get over my fear for him… I have a huge fear of live audiences. I break out in hives, full blown panic attacks, and everything else.”
But she’s determined to shape up and do her best on the programme, adding, “I don’t work out. I need to get my endurance up. I’m going to get in great shape, and everyone who I know who’s been on the show has had a great time. It’s with hesitation and fear, but it’s going to be good to conquer a fear.”
Doherty will face off against Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson and pop singer Nicole Scherzinger, among others, when the 10th series of Dancing With The Stars begins in the U.S. on 22 March (10).
