Strictly's Sam Quek explains "heartbreak" after exit
Sam Quek, a star from Strictly Come Dancing, has opened up about her "heartbreaking" departure from the competition, expressing that she felt she still had much more to contribute.
Nikita Kuzmin, a former hockey player and professional dancer, left the competition during the seventh week. The duo lost to Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe in the dance-off on Sunday, November 3.
During the November 4 episode of It Takes Two, Sam and Nikita chatted with Fleur East about their experience in the competition. Sam, an Olympic gold medalist, described the last few days as “odd.”
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“It’s been a really unusual couple of days,” she said. “Returning and finding myself in this situation feels a little odd, but I’m genuinely proud of what I accomplished. I’ll think about this guy every day, but I have no regrets.”
"I'm incredibly proud, but I still feel unprepared to leave – I believe I could have contributed more. However, that's just how the competition works," Sam shared, with Nikita agreeing and stating that their experience had "wrapped up too quickly."
He expressed, "What mattered most to us was watching Sam make progress every week and really give her all on the dance floor. Participating in Strictly is all about stepping out of your comfort zone. Sure, we didn’t win and had to leave the competition, so it’s not the ideal outcome, but I’m still incredibly proud."
Sam, who showcased the American smooth as her last dance, went on to discuss how her background in professional sports shaped her journey on the show. She mentioned that her competitive nature did result in some moments of "heartbreak."
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Looking back, I realize I had higher expectations for myself as a dancer,” she reflected. “There were moments when I stepped onto the dance floor, put in all my effort, and didn't receive the recognition or outcomes I hoped for, which was quite disappointing.”
"I believe there’s nothing wrong with wanting to succeed or striving to be the best. I’ve always had that drive, and it's something that's been a part of my family’s values. We put in the effort, and the results will follow."
Strictly Come Dancing is broadcast on Saturdays on BBC One, and its companion show, Strictly: It Takes Two, is shown on weeknights on BBC Two. You can also watch both programs on BBC iPlayer.
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George, a freelance writer for Digital Spy, focuses on movies and television. He earned his degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, where he explored the early films of Richard Linklater for his dissertation. He has contributed to various websites under GRV Media. His film preferences range from major hits like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to the works of renowned international directors like Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda. He has also participated in both the London and Berlin film festivals.
