Nikita Kuzmin's Pre-Show Panic: Awkward Blunder Threatens Strictly Performance

The 20th series of Strictly Come Dancing is in full swing, and it's that magical time of year again—yes, *Movie Night* is almost upon us! Anticipation is building like an oversized popcorn kernel, ready to pop this Saturday evening. Enter Nikita Kuzmin, a professional dancer who has as much experience on the dance floor as a seasoned actor in a rom-com, yet even he has his little hiccups. On Friday's *It Takes Two*, he confessed to a minor faux pas that might just cause a ripple in Saturday's performance.

Kuzmin, at the ripe age of 26, is paired with the hockey star turned dancing queen, Sam Quek, who's 35 and certainly no wallflower. Last week, they tangoed through a Charleston that scored a respectable 22 from the judges. While Quek seemed as though she had just crossed a finish line, relieved to leave that high-speed dance behind, they’re now locked in a fervent preparation for their upcoming *Paso Doble* to "Elevation" from the *Tomb Raider* film. And yet, before getting too lost in glory, Kuzmin had a little worry about his appearance. Can you guess? His tan.

As if stepping onto a talk show set adorned with mirrors could be any more surreal, the interview began with Janette Manrara, who playfully pointed out Kuzmin’s unusually bronzed complexion. “Now normally, the first question would go to you, Sam, but I need to talk about Nikita's tan for a second—what’s going on here?” she quipped, a smirk creeping across her face. Laughter ensued like a well-choreographed number, but the deliberation continued in earnest.

Kuzmin attempted to explain, “Alright, listen…” It was becoming more dramatic than the last plot twist in a romantic comedy. Manrara didn’t miss a beat, teasing, “You’re going green!” With the wit of a well-practiced comedian, Kuzmin eventually confessed, “I might have given myself a shade too dark, which means that I will need to shower tonight and hopefully look better for tomorrow.” Most of us would simply run from a bad hair day, but Kuzmin was determined to shower away a tanning mishap.

With a sparkle in her eye, Manrara quipped, “Hopefully you shower every night, but maybe shower extra tonight!” Oooh, burn! Kuzmin chuckled along, but Quek jumped in, adding, “We were actually in the tan room at the same time, and I said, ‘Nikita, you can go ahead of me because you're probably a bit faster.’” Now there's a friendship forged in the fires of questionable tanning decisions.

Amidst all this amusing banter, Kuzmin noted, “It’s against the white,” referencing his eye-catching white blazer that potentially blinds those unprepared for such brightness. It's like a reflective disco ball, really. Manrara admitted, “Yeah, the white also doesn’t help.” Who knew tan drama would take center stage during an evening meant for celebrating film?

Transitioning to their Movie Week alter egos, Manrara shared, “Sam, you’ve got a bit of a *Lara Croft* obsession because you’ve dressed up as her not once, but twice for fancy dress parties!” Quek confessed, “Mainly because it was comfy shoes, and I could wear flat boots!” So it’s all about practicality, folks. On Saturday’s show, the duo hopes to dazzle the judges decked out in their *Tomb Raider* characters, proving that while dance may take center stage, there's always room for a bit of humor and a sprinkle of chaos along the way.