Denise McCormack has opened up about the tough family sacrifices she’s had to make while taking part in Dancing with the Stars.
The Dubliner who has two children, Harvey and Sydney, recalls one week where she was working “40 hours on Red Rock” as well as juggling dance practice plus attempting to look after both herself and the family.
Speaking exclusively to VIP Magazine, Denise said, “I remember the week coming up to it, thinking even if I was superhuman, I wouldn’t be able to do this. That was my negativity creeping in and then I delegated everything.
“I moved out of my house and into my mothers, where I could be given a dinner and just go to bed.
“Something had to be taken out of the equation, and family life was the one thing I took out for that week. I couldn’t have done it otherwise.
“With young kids, they need your attention and I want to give it to them. In a week like that, it was probably just best off not being there and sleeping.”
Denise went on to say that she’s been “very lucky” in her career so far, as she’s been able to spend a huge amount of time with her children throughout any given week.
“With Red Rock, I could be working three days a week, maybe four at a push. Most weeks are less, so this has been tough. Kids are adaptable and as soon as this is over, I’ll go back to it,” she said.
“There are women who go out and work 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and we do it. As women, we just do it, and we’re probably stronger for it. We don’t let anything take away from the kids.
“I think that’s an important thing. I like to think as women, we’re expected to do it, and we do! You get a lot better at everything when you’ve a lot on.”
