Aliona Vilani facts for kids

Aliona Valeriya Kavanagh (born Vilani on May 1, 1984), also known as Aliona Vilani, is a professional dancer and TV personality from Russia and Kazakhstan. She became very well known as a professional dancer on the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.

About Aliona Vilani's Early Life and Dance Journey

Aliona started learning ballet when she was just five years old. When she was nine, she moved to Russia with her parents. There, she began ballroom dancing at age 11, while still continuing her ballet lessons.

In 1997, at 13, Aliona moved to the United States. She joined the Kaiser Dance Academy in Brooklyn, New York, to continue her dance training. In 2001, her hard work paid off when she was part of the US Ballroom team. This team won the Amateur Ballroom category at the National Dance Congress.

Aliona became a professional dancer when she was 17. Since 2006, she has lived in Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, she competed, performed, and taught dance. Her special skill is "10 Dance," which includes all ten ballroom and Latin dances. She is also good at Salsa, Hip Hop, and Jazz. From 2008 to 2009, she performed in the Dancing with the Stars Arena Tour in the U.S. In 2009, she was a guest professional dancer on the TV show Dancing with the Stars in Hollywood three times.

In 2014, Aliona was the main female dancer in a theatre show called Licence to Thrill. In June 2017, Aliona became a mother to a daughter named Bella.

Aliona Vilani on Strictly Come Dancing

Aliona first joined series 7 in 2009. She danced with Rav Wilding. They were eliminated in week three after a dance-off.

In 2010, Aliona went on the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour for the first time. She partnered with actor Ricky Groves. They performed the American Smooth and the Paso Doble. She also danced with Matthew Cutler in the professional routines. Later, she joined the Strictly Come Dancing Professionals Tour.

Aliona was a runner-up in the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing. She partnered with TV presenter Matt Baker. After the series, Aliona and Matt won the 2011 Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour.

She came back for the 9th series in 2011. This time, she partnered with Harry Judd from the pop-rock band McFly. They won the competition, beating Chelsee Healey in the public vote. Aliona and Harry also won the 2012 Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour.

Aliona returned for the 2012 series. She was paired with TV presenter Johnny Ball. Sadly, Aliona had an injury during training. This meant she had to leave the show for a while. Another dancer, Iveta Lukošiūtė, took her place. Aliona did return for the final group dance and later for the 2012 Christmas Special. She partnered with Fabrice Muamba for the Christmas show.

Dress worn by Aliona Vilani in the 2010 series, displayed at BBC Television Centre, Birmingham

In June 2013, it was announced that Aliona would not be in series 11. However, she later replaced Natalie Lowe due to an injury. Her partner for series 11 was golfer Tony Jacklin. They were the first couple to be eliminated in week two.

Aliona also appeared in a special Strictly Come Dancing show for the BBC Children in Need charity in November 2013. She was also on the 2013 Christmas Special. She partnered with Matt Goss and they scored 35 points for their American Smooth.

Aliona returned for the 12th series in 2014. She and her partner Gregg Wallace were voted off in round two.

In December 2014, Aliona won the Christmas Special. She partnered with gymnast Louis Smith. They earned a perfect score of 40 for their Quickstep.

In September 2015, Aliona came back for the thirteenth series. She partnered with Jay McGuiness, a singer from The Wanted. In December 2015, they won the Strictly Come Dancing final! This made Aliona the first professional dancer to win the show twice. A few days after their win, Aliona announced she would not return to the series. Aliona and Jay then went on to win the 2016 Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour.

Aliona's Strictly Journey: Results Overview

See also

In Spanish: Aliona Vilani para niños