The glitter ball may be the iconic symbol of Strictly Come Dancing, but this weekend, it was the raw, unpolished, and intensely human emotion radiating from the dancefloor that truly illuminated the nation. Karen Carney, the former Lioness and celebrated football pundit, alongside her professional partner Carlos Gu, didn’t just perform a dance; they delivered a powerful, theatrical statement of self-acceptance and defiance set to Lady Gaga’s seminal anthem, “Born This Way.” The routine, a Couple’s Choice, was a masterpiece of vulnerability and conviction that immediately cemented its place as one of the most culturally significant moments in the show’s history, sparking lively discussions that stretched far beyond the confines of the ballroom.
Couple’s Choice is arguably the most coveted and emotionally charged week in the Strictly calendar. Unlike the rigid technicalities of a Ballroom or Latin dance, this category grants the celebrity and professional pair the freedom to select a style—be it Street/Commercial, Contemporary, or Theatre/Jazz—and, more importantly, a song that holds profound personal meaning. It is an invitation to share a piece of one’s soul with the millions watching at home, turning a light entertainment show into a platform for deeply resonant storytelling. For Carney, a woman whose public life has been defined by grit, professional athleticism, and razor-sharp commentary, choosing to lay bare a narrative of individuality and self-discovery was an act of profound courage.
The selection of “Born This Way” was not arbitrary; it was a deliberate, pulsating declaration. Since its release, the Lady Gaga track has become a global standard for the LGBTQ+ community and for anyone who has ever felt marginalized, misunderstood, or compelled to hide a part of their identity. Its lyrics—”there’s nothing wrong with loving who you are, you said, ’cause He made you perfect, babe, so hold your head up high”—are a manifesto for authenticity. Carlos Gu’s choreography, a brilliant fusion of Contemporary and Street, was engineered not just to move the body but to articulate the internal struggle and eventual triumph referenced in the music.
Gu’s staging was cinematic. It began with an almost solitary, guarded energy from Carney, perhaps reflecting the armor one builds to face public scrutiny or personal doubt. Her movements were initially constrained, weighted down by an unseen burden. As the song built, particularly during the poignant bridge (“Don’t be a drag, just be a queen”), the choreography began to shed this restraint. Carney’s lines became expansive, her movements liberated, culminating in powerful, soaring lifts and moments of raw, unadulterated passion. It was a visual journey from confinement to freedom, a dance of breaking chains that were never physically there but felt by so many.
For Carney herself, whose career as a trailblazing female athlete in a male-dominated sport has been fraught with challenges and undue criticism, the message of resilience and self-belief was intensely personal. While she didn’t overtly share a specific narrative, the emotional texture of her performance spoke volumes. It was a tribute to finding confidence, embracing difference, and standing tall in one’s own skin, regardless of the whispers or judgments of the outside world. This ability to translate her life’s ethos into abstract movement is what elevated the routine beyond a technical dance into a piece of current affairs commentary. It was a moment of television that reflected the broader cultural zeitgeist around identity and inclusion.
The synergy between Carney and Gu was palpable. Gu, a dancer known for his expressive range and technical precision, guided Carney through the complex emotional landscape, acting as both her partner and her mirror. He didn’t overshadow her; he amplified her voice, ensuring that every extension, every fall, and every moment of dramatic stillness served the central theme of empowerment. It was a masterclass in collaboration, proving that the deepest connection on the dancefloor often comes not from perfect steps, but from shared emotional vulnerability.
The reaction was instantaneous and overwhelming. Before the music had faded, the roar of the studio audience was deafening. Standing ovations on Strictly are common, but this one felt different—it was less about judging a performance and more about acknowledging a shared, collective catharsis. Head Judge Shirley Ballas, often the most stringent on technique, was visibly moved, her tears mirroring those of the audience. The judges’ commentary, usually a dissection of frame and footwork, became a chorus of praise for courage, authenticity, and the power of art to communicate vital truths.
Motsi Mabuse spoke passionately about the routine’s impact, noting how it transcended dance steps to deliver a “universal message that the whole world needed to hear.” Anton Du Beke, the veteran, remarked on the “honesty” of the performance, a quality he asserted was the hardest and most valuable to achieve on the show. The scores, inevitably high, were secondary to the feeling. What Karen Carney and Carlos Gu had done was use a Saturday night spectacle to validate and uplift millions of viewers who needed to be reminded that they are “on the right track” just as they are.
Beyond the ballroom, the social media response was explosive. The routine immediately went viral, dominating trending topics on X (formerly Twitter) and flooding Facebook feeds. People weren’t just sharing the clip; they were sharing their own stories, inspired by Carney’s vulnerability. For many in the LGBTQ+ community, seeing their anthem celebrated with such passion and reverence on a mainstream platform like the BBC was a moment of powerful, televised affirmation—a testament to how much progress has been made in bringing marginalized voices into the mainstream cultural conversation.
The performance also serves as a critical reminder of the evolving role of reality television. Shows like Strictly Come Dancing, once purely an escape, are increasingly becoming spaces for social commentary and genuine emotional connection. They allow public figures to shed their pre-existing personas and connect with the audience on a level of shared humanity. Karen Carney, the disciplined football star, momentarily dissolved, revealing the resilient, feeling human underneath, and in doing so, offered a powerful lesson in what it means to truly embrace all aspects of one’s identity.
This Couple’s Choice will be remembered not only for its technical brilliance but for its profound, unapologetic heart. It was a moment of national bonding, a collective deep breath, and a defiant, joyous shout into the void of self-doubt. Karen Carney and Carlos Gu gifted the public a powerful, beautiful piece of storytelling, proving that the most spectacular routines are always those rooted in the truth of who we are, affirming Lady Gaga’s timeless message: we were all born this way, and that is a truly magnificent thing.
