Born and raised in Lugansk, Ukraine, Nadiya has been living in Ljubljana for well over a decade. She and her dance partner Miha Vodičar have twice won the world title at the Ten Dance Championships, and now the 28-year-old blonde has embarked on a new challenge: the BBC announced in June that Nadiya is joining the Strictly Come Dancing line-up this year. The show’s format has been exported to over forty countries, and the 15th season of the show is scheduled to air in September.

Nadiya won’t be the only Slovenian to compete in this year’s edition of Strictly: Ptuj-born Aljaž Škorjanec, who won the show’s 11th season title with Abbey Clancy, will once again be seen competing in Strictly Come Dancing. The show has been a massive hit in the UK, and Nadiya’s appearance in the show is bound to raise her stock even further. Nadiya sat down with us for a short interview to let us know more about her role in the show.

After it was revealed that you will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing 2017 line-up, you said that your dreams have come true. Judging by your social media posts, it appears that preparations for the show have already begun. Are you still living your dream, and is everything still as glamorous as it looks on TV?
Every time I dance, my dreams come true. Yes, you only see the glamorous parts on TV. However, in order to make everything look so glamorous, we need to work really hard. And that’s what we’re doing right now: We’re rehearsing a lot, and I can only say that I’m enjoying every second of it.

The new season of the show is airing from September 9 to December 25. Have you moved to London for the show? What about your daughter and your partner?
I have been traveling back and forth a lot. It’s been quite difficult but I’m used to it. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

How long do you have to rehearse for each episode? How much pressure are you under and how much pressure will you be under when the show gets underway?
I’ve been quite busy. The pressure is on, it’s been on since day one. I guess I’ll be able to tell you more after the season ends.

The BBC has been gradually unveiling the contestants for this year’s season of Strictly Come Dancing. Have they told you who your celebrity dance partner will be and do you have any say in the matter?
I have no say in the matter. And no, I have no idea who my dance partner will be. I guess we’ll just have to wait for the first episode of the season.

What kind of role will you be playing in the show and what kind of teacher are you? Will you be friendly, strict, unapproachable, or infinitely patient?
I won’t be playing any “role”. I am who I am. I demand a lot of myself and of others, and I’m going to do my best to make sure my celebrity partner learns to dance.

Fotka 1: Nadiya says she enjoys every second she is dancing.