Phaedra Parks Reflects on Her ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Experience and Midlife: ‘You Can Tackle Anything’ (EXCLUSIVE)
At 50 years old, reality TV royalty Phaedra Parks made a bold decision—she took on a completely new challenge by competing on Dancing With the Stars, determined to prove to herself—and to other women—that age is just a number, and it’s never too late to step out of your comfort zone.
Though she was eliminated at the end of Tuesday, October 22’s Disney Night competition, Phaedra was emphatic about her time on the show, telling Woman’s World in an exclusive interview that as the then-oldest celebrity on the show, she was determined to hit the ballroom floor every week and shine.
“This experience really shows me that no matter what age you are, you can tackle anything,” Phaedra shared exclusively with Woman’s World. Her time on the show was more than just a dance competition; it was a testament to her belief that midlife is a time for new beginnings and fresh adventures. “For me to be the oldest dancer out there and to do it well, that’s a big accomplishment,” she said proudly. “I’m excited that I did it.”
Phaedra Parks’ lesson for women in midlife
Phaedra's message to women in their 40s, 50s and beyond is clear: You are capable of doing amazing things, even when they seem scary or unfamiliar. “I had so much fun,” Phaedra said, reflecting on her journey. “I met so many people, and I had a great time.”
For many women entering midlife, the thought of starting something new—whether it’s a career change, learning a new skill or simply trying something different—can feel intimidating. Phaedra admitted that there were moments on the dance floor where she felt out of her depth. “I wouldn’t have had confidence if it wasn’t for Val [Chmerkovskiy],” she said of her professional dance partner. “There were a lot of times that I was very fearful about certain moves, certain parts of the dance, but he really pushed me to do things that I thought I would never do.”
That kind of fear is something many women face when they consider new paths later in life. But Phaedra encourages them to take a leap of faith, even when the challenges seem daunting.
Sacrificing for personal growth
For the reality TV mogul and attorney, the rewards far outweighed the sacrifices. Competing on DWTS required her to step away from her family, her businesses and her regular life, but she embraced the opportunity to focus on herself and her own personal growth. “It was a sacrifice to be away from my family, my children and my other businesses for this long,” she shared—as fans know, Phaedra is a multi-talented businesswoman, lawyer, reality star, mortician, just to name a few points on her resume. “But I dedicated myself to dancing, and it was not a cakewalk.” Still, the experience left her feeling empowered and inspired to keep exploring new opportunities.
In fact, Phaedra’s time on DWTS opened a new chapter for her—one where she envisions dance playing a bigger role in her life. With Val and his brother Maks owning a dance studio in her Buckhead community, she’s already thinking about taking her love of dance to the next level. “I might start teaching classes, having dance parties,” she said. “I see this as another stream of income. I just got to figure it out. But I like doing it.”
Phaedra’s message to other women in their midlife is simple: You don’t have to settle. Whether it’s dancing, traveling, starting a business or picking up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try, it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Her DWTS experience is a powerful reminder that midlife is a time to embrace new experiences, push through fear and pursue passions with vigor. For women who are hesitant to take the plunge into something new, Phaedra’s advice is clear: Don’t let fear hold you back.
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