# Janette Manrara
**Janette Manrara** is a Cuban-American dancer, choreographer, and television presenter from Miami, Florida, best known for eight series as a professional dancer on the BBC's *Strictly Come Dancing* (2013–2020) and from 2021 as a co-presenter of its spin-off *It Takes Two* and the BBC daytime program *Morning Live*.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara) • [2](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a39349195/strictly-come-dancing-janette-manrara-hardest-part-exit/) She first came to public attention as a top-eight finalist on the US version of *So You Think You Can Dance*.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | Miami, Florida, to a Cuban family; trained in musical theater from age 12[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) |
| Breakthrough | Top 20 on *So You Think You Can Dance* US season 5, reaching the top 4 girls, at age 24[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara) • [3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) |
| *Strictly* record | Professional dancer for eight series (2013–2020); best main-series placing fifth with Jake Wood in 2014; reached the 2020 final with HRVY[2](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a39349195/strictly-come-dancing-janette-manrara-hardest-part-exit/) • [4](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/talent-shows/strictly-come-dancing-professionals-janette-manrara/) • [1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara) |
| Christmas Specials | Won in 2018 with Aston Merrygold; her agency also credits a 2016 win with Melvin Odoom[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) |
| Presenting | Co-host of *It Takes Two* from 2021 (later with Fleur East) and of *Morning Live*; has announced she is no longer part of *Strictly* or *It Takes Two*[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara) • [5](https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/strictly-come-dancing-2024-it-takes-two/) • [6](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/janette-manrara/) |
| Stage and writing | Musical theater debut as Roxie Hart in *Chicago* on a UK and Ireland tour of over 20 venues; debut book *Tiny Dancer, Big World*[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) |
| Family | Married to fellow professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec; daughter Lyra, born 2023[4](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/talent-shows/strictly-come-dancing-professionals-janette-manrara/) • [7](https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/somerset/24939560.former-strictly-dancer-janette-manrara-motherhood/) |
## Early life and training
Manrara was born in Miami, Florida, to a Cuban family. She began attending a musical theater school, MDA, at age 12, in a small studio offering three or four hours a week of acting, dancing, and singing, and later moved to the DanceTown studios.[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) • [8](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a531559/strictly-come-dancing-star-janette-manrara-in-profile/) She studied finance at [Florida International University](https://www.edgepedia.org/florida-international-university) and then worked in a bank for seven years while continuing her dance training in Ballroom, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Salsa.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
She has said that she had never competed in ballroom or Latin before joining *Strictly*, coming to the show with a musical theater and television background instead.[7](https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/somerset/24939560.former-strictly-dancer-janette-manrara-motherhood/)
## So You Think You Can Dance and early career
Manrara auditioned for the US *So You Think You Can Dance* while working at the bank, and has said the day she was accepted was the first day she realized dancing could be her living.[8](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a531559/strictly-come-dancing-star-janette-manrara-in-profile/) On season 5 she was selected for the Top 20, reached the top 4 girls, and toured with the show across the USA for three months; she returned as an All Star for season 8.[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) The BBC profile places her as a top-eight finalist at age 24.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
After the show she described a "sliding doors moment": move to Los Angeles and keep trying, or return to the secure bank job. She moved to Los Angeles and got a job with the dance stage show *Burn the Floor*.[5](https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/strictly-come-dancing-2024-it-takes-two/) She performed with *Burn the Floor*, training with Jason Gilkison and Peta Roby, before being cast as a professional on series 11 of *Strictly Come Dancing*.[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) Her agency says four years with the show, Radio Times says three, and the BBC says "several years".[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) • [4](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/talent-shows/strictly-come-dancing-professionals-janette-manrara/) • [1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
Her other early credits include work on the Academy Awards, dancing with [Jennifer Lopez](https://www.edgepedia.org/jennifer-lopez), being a principal dancer on *Glee*, and performing in *Burn the Floor*.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
## Strictly Come Dancing: professional dancer
Manrara joined *Strictly Come Dancing* as a professional in 2013 and danced in eight series in total before leaving the professional line-up in 2021 to present the spin-off.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara) • [2](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a39349195/strictly-come-dancing-janette-manrara-hardest-part-exit/) Her series-by-series partnerships, as recorded in the BBC profile:
- **2013**: fashion designer Julien Macdonald; the couple left in Week Four.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
- **2014**: *EastEnders* actor [Jake Wood](https://www.edgepedia.org/jake-wood); reached the Semi Final, her best main-series placing.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara) • [4](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/talent-shows/strictly-come-dancing-professionals-janette-manrara/)
- **2015**: [Peter Andre](https://www.edgepedia.org/peter-andre); reached Week 10, earning 31 points for their American Smooth before exiting during the Quickstep-a-thon.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
- **2016**: [Melvin Odoom](https://www.edgepedia.org/melvin-odoom); eliminated in Week One.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
- **2017**: JLS member Aston Merrygold; finished tenth.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
- **2018**: Dr Ranj Singh; reached Week Seven.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
- **2019**: Paralympic table tennis champion Will Bayley; the partnership ended when he was injured in Week Six.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
- **2020**: popstar HRVY; reached the final, her most successful year on the show.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
She never won the main series; Radio Times records her Strictly wins as 0, with the fifth place in 2014 as her closest run.[4](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/talent-shows/strictly-come-dancing-professionals-janette-manrara/) In the Christmas Specials, her agency credits two wins, in 2016 with Melvin Odoom and in 2018 with [Aston Merrygold](https://www.edgepedia.org/aston-merrygold), while the BBC profile records only the 2018 Christmas Glitterball trophy with Merrygold.[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) • [1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
## Transition to presenting: It Takes Two and Morning Live
In 2021 Manrara moved from the dance floor to presenting, joining BBC daytime show *Morning Live* and becoming co-host of *It Takes Two*, the *Strictly* companion show.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara) She continued to co-host *It Takes Two* across 2022, 2023, and 2024, alongside co-hosting the *Strictly* Live tour across the UK.[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) In 2024 the show returned with Manrara and [Fleur East](https://www.edgepedia.org/fleur-east) co-hosting on [BBC Two](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-two) and iPlayer at 6.30pm from Monday 23 September, marking the series' 20th anniversary.[5](https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/strictly-come-dancing-2024-it-takes-two/)
RTÉ has reported that Manrara announced she is "no longer a part" of *Strictly Come Dancing* or its spin-off show *It Takes Two*.[6](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/janette-manrara/)
## Stage, tours, and other work
Her agency described her musical theater debut as [Roxie Hart](https://www.edgepedia.org/roxie-hart) in *Chicago*, on a UK and Ireland tour of over 20 venues.[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) She released her debut book, *Tiny Dancer, Big World*, described by Great British Life as being about how to boost happiness and find fulfilment, and structured by her agency around four pillars: [Acceptance](https://www.edgepedia.org/acceptance), Reflection, The Work, and Discovery.[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) • [7](https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/somerset/24939560.former-strictly-dancer-janette-manrara-motherhood/)
## By the numbers
- Eight series as a *Strictly* professional (2013–2020).[2](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a39349195/strictly-come-dancing-janette-manrara-hardest-part-exit/)
- Best main-series placing: fifth, with Jake Wood in 2014; main-series wins: 0.[4](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/talent-shows/strictly-come-dancing-professionals-janette-manrara/)
- Christmas Special wins: two per her agency profile (2016 and 2018), one per the BBC profile (2018).[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) • [1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
- *Chicago* UK and Ireland tour: over 20 venues.[3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara)
- Seven years working in a bank while training in six dance styles.[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
## Personal life
Manrara is married to fellow professional dancer [Aljaž Škorjanec](https://www.edgepedia.org/aljaz-skorjanec).[4](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/talent-shows/strictly-come-dancing-professionals-janette-manrara/) • [3](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara) She and Škorjanec tried for a couple of years before their daughter Lyra was born in 2023.[7](https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/somerset/24939560.former-strictly-dancer-janette-manrara-motherhood/) RTÉ reported the couple's announcement that they were expecting their first child together.[6](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/janette-manrara/)
## References
1. [Janette Manrara, BBC One Strictly Come Dancing profile](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4SBSCtSv9k4r7MZL5P0FX1F/janette-manrara)
2. [Strictly pro Janette Manrara reflects on "bittersweet" exit, Digital Spy](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a39349195/strictly-come-dancing-janette-manrara-hardest-part-exit/)
3. [Janette Manrara, Milk Management talent biography](https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/clients/our-talent/1347-janette-manrara)
4. [Strictly 2019 professionals | Janette Manrara dance partner bio, Radio Times](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/talent-shows/strictly-come-dancing-professionals-janette-manrara/)
5. [Strictly It Takes Two's Janette Manrara and Fleur East tease 'more mayhem' as the series celebrates its 20th anniversary, BBC Media Centre](https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/strictly-come-dancing-2024-it-takes-two/)
6. [Janette Manrara, RTÉ Entertainment topic page](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/janette-manrara/)
7. [Former Strictly dancer Janette Manrara on motherhood, Great British Life](https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/somerset/24939560.former-strictly-dancer-janette-manrara-motherhood/)
8. [Strictly's Janette Manrara: In Profile, Digital Spy](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a531559/strictly-come-dancing-star-janette-manrara-in-profile/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Unscripted, reality, and web-native series › Reality and competition franchise editions › Dancing with the Stars and dance-competition franchises*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license