Britt Stewart Wasn't Trained in Ballroom Dance When She Joined 'DWTS'

It’s clear that Dancing with the Stars pro Britt Stewart doesn’t shy away from challenges when she reveals that she wasn’t actually trained in ballroom dance when she joined the show in 2016. Initially, she was a member of the dance troupe, and then she became the first Black professional partner on DWTS in 2020 when she paired with Johnny Weir.

“I took it as an opportunity to grow and to learn and to really immerse myself into a new style of dance. I started training simultaneously while on Dancing with the Stars. I started competing in ballroom dance,” she tells Parade in this exclusive interview.

“First and foremost, Dancing with the Stars taught me that when something is challenging and comes into your life, it’s not meant to be feared. It means that you’re ready for something new, that you’re ready for a challenge. It really helps me to remember always to learn, always to challenge yourself, always to evolve no matter what lane you’re in.”

Britt has risen to the challenge of competing on the dance competition, but also as a representative for Black dancers with the creation of the Share the Movement non-profit, whose mission is to increase diversity in the professional dance community by providing financial, educational and inspirational support to promising young BIPOC dancers.

And it happened almost simultaneously with her becoming a professional partner.

“The founding board and I started having conversations in 2020 about diversity, inclusion and representation in the dance industry,” she continues. ‘At the same time that we were creating Share the Movement and this amazing mission is when I became the first Black female pro. When that happened, our Share the Movement Executive Director Kate Harpootlian called me and asked if I would be president.”

Without hesitation, Britt agreed, and she began really living the organization’s mission and representing Black women in ballroom dance.

Related: DWTS Pro Britt Stewart on the Challenges of Performing with a Deaf Partner (Exclusive)

Now, she’s taking it one step further as Share the Movement partners with BAND-AID Brand OURTONE for several clinics that will take place: Atlanta on Aug. 20, New York City on Aug. 29, and Los Angeles on Sept. 10.

“I will be hosting both Atlanta and New York City,” Britt says. “There will be dance classes for all levels, family oriented, community oriented. There will be a Q&A panel. In New York, we’ll have a special TikTok creation class, and special performances, special guests. These dance clinics will be fully embracing Black and Brown culture, community and, of course, uplifting dance in the process.”

During our conversation Britt discussed the connection between Band-Aids and dancers, how to register to take part, the changes coming up on Dancing with the Stars this fall, and when her romance began with her former DWTS celeb partner Daniel Durant.

You’re pairing Share the Moment with BAND-AID Brand OURTONE. Is that because dancers wear a lot of Band-Aids?

It’s an amazing partnership and, for me, it is very personal. Yes, Band-Aids are dance essentials. You can find them in every dance studio, every dance first-aid kit, every dance bag. I’ve been using Band-Aids for my entire life. I mean I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old, professionally since I was 13. To be able to partner with Band-Aid through my nonprofit Share the Movement, it just feels so aligned.

Specifically, we’re partnering with BAND-AID Brand OURTONE adhesive bandages. They really embrace diversity and see the beauty in different skin tones, which aligns perfectly with Share the Movement’s mission to increase diversity.

Since being a professional in the dance and entertainment industry, I’ve really seen the lack of representation and diversity throughout the years. I’ve really been inspired to continue the mission of Share the Movement and to expand it so much. Part of what we wanted to do was get into communities and do community dance days. When this opportunity came about with BAND-AID Brand OURTONE to really find the uplifting and healing power of physical movement, specifically through dance, and uplift Black and Brown communities, we really aligned on creating Band-Aid? brand dance clinics.

How does one participate?

Our dance clinics are open to the public, but you do need to register beforehand. Go to ShareTheMovementNow.org to register and learn more information about not only the dance clinics but our mission.

When Share the Movement isn’t doing clinics what kinds of events do you do?

We launched Share the Movement in April of ’21. Since launching, we’ve provided over $30,000 of summer scholarships. Every year we have an application process for BIPOC students, young dancers, where they can apply for a summer scholarship to their preferred summer dance program. From there, we have a scholarship committee that chooses our scholarship recipients.

Then throughout the year to stay connected and keep our community involved in our organization, we also have a mentorship program where it’s one-on-one mentorship for young dancers. They get to have a mentor that’s in the dance industry, living that representation, living where our mentees want to go when they grow up.

Related: Dancing with the Stars Announces New Host and Co-Host for Season 32

Dancing with the Stars is going to have a new look this year with Alfonso Ribiero as the host and Julianne Hough as the co-host. The fact that they’ve both competed on the show before, do you think that’s a plus? Do you think that is going to give a little bit more authenticity to the show?

I think Dancing with the Stars as a whole is more than just a TV show. It’s really a family. Once you’re part of Dancing with the Stars, you’re in it for life. And so, I think having two past people that are still very much involved and very much part of the family, will be an organic addition to our next season.

Julianne hasn’t been there for a while, and she’s had a taste of every little thing that you can do on Dancing with the Stars. She was a pro, she’s come in as a special guest, she’s come in as a judge. I think her perspective will be great for next season.

What has Dancing with the Stars taught you about yourself?

I truly believe that Dancing with the Stars has helped me to grow into the person that I am today and will continue to grow into. It really allows you to connect with people, it’s developed me as a person, a dancer, an artist, and a choreographer. And then, of course, it’s really also helped me expand Share the Movement and have opportunities like partnering with Band-Aid to really show that my representation shouldn’t, and I hope that it doesn’t, stop with me. That I won’t only and always be the only Black female on Dancing with the Stars. I hope that with this summer, this partnership, and having the opportunity to meet hundreds of little Black and Brown kids, that they can see me and say, “Ooh, I think I maybe want to do that one day.” Dancing with the Stars has done a lot for my life and has really opened up a lot of doors.

I was going to ask you who your favorite partner was, but since you and Daniel Durant went public with your relationship in February, I think that’s an answer. Did that happen while he was on the show? Or  you stayed friends after and it just developed?

Nothing happened during the show. We really were best friends; we were teammates, and we thought our chemistry was what was going to help us get far and we would stay friends after the season. What’s funny is now we go back and watch videos from when we were on last season and we’re like, “Oh, we actually haven’t changed.” Now we see what everybody was seeing before we actually knew. But, yes, once we got eliminated and our season of Dancing with the Stars ended, we looked at our lives and realized we weren’t going to spend every day together and we thought maybe that should change.

Related: DWTS Couple Alert—Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant Debut Romance on Valentine's Day

How are you doing with your American Sign Language?

I’m doing great. I’m learning every day.

I did not know that there was such a thing as National Dance Day, but it’s coming up on Sept. 16. How are you going to celebrate it?

Yes, National Dance Day is a thing, and it is a very big thing. I’m very excited because through this partnership with Share the Movement and Band-Aid Brand, we are extending the dance clinics a final social celebration. I will be interacting with some of my favorite Black creators on TikTok, commenting, sharing my favorite dance videos, and I will be selecting my favorite content creators to send my dance essentials to. That will be another way that I, Share the Movement and Band-Aid Brand will be uplifting the Black community and specifically Black dance creators.

When you decided dance was going to be your career, did you have any idea that it would be able to take you to these heights?

Oh, my goodness, I had no idea. When I started dancing at 3, it was because my parents tried to put me in anything else. My mom really wanted me to be a figure skater. I got on the ice, and I totally embarrassed her, I started screaming. The only thing that I wanted to do was dance.

I’ve really just let the love of dance, my passion for it, lead me. Then, of course, when I started working professionally at 13, I had no idea. Again, I was just doing it because I loved it. But I am grateful. I’m grateful that my life really feels guided and that I let my heart choose where I go.

I think it’s also that passion that I have, wanting to learn, wanting to also go beyond myself and just really reach out to communities that I’m passionate about. That drive has led me here and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.

Dancing with the Stars will return to ABC and Disney+ this fall on Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Next, Everything You Need To Know About Dancing with the Stars Season 32 (Including Where It's Airing)