SA star Cameron Lombard talks Strictly Come Dancing fame and exciting plans for the future

Lombard says he's taking a bit of a breather, and for the first time really absorbing the heights to which his career has taken him.

"It's been absolutely crazy! After all the successes and everything that's been happening in my life I've come back home to a 'normal' life. It's been amazing to see my family, to embrace where I am right now... because I haven't had time to actually deal with everything that's happened in my life."

"It's been great to come home and see - wow, this is where I come from, and these are the struggles that I needed to face to get where I have gotten."

Cameron Lombard, Professional ballroom dancer

Lombard started competing at the age of six, going on to win 18 national titles across Ballroom and Latin.

South African viewers will remember him reaching the finals of SAGT in 2012.
It was in 2020 during the pandemic that he received the call to join Strictly in London, which he did the minute there was the opportunity to get onto an international flight again.

"I was mind-blown by the opportunity."

"When I got there I had to step into a new world of fame and having fans... It's prime time and you're in the papers the next morning... and either you were really, really good or you become a meme!"

Cameron Lombard, Professional ballroom dancer

For a South African boy from Cape Town, becoming a star with his own fan base was 'completely insane', Cameron says.

His highlights include sharing a stage with American singing star John Legend.
At first, Cameron didn't quite understand how much Britons love Strictly, and how much it means to them.

"People embrace you on the TV and get some sort of fulfilment from having you there... Every Saturday night it just got better and better and the fans started messaging me."

"You get this connection to your craft and the audience... You're dancing for people who're going through difficult times, and seeing that happen for just that one or two minutes (means something to them)..."

"It's amazing to be able to be that person and I'm still dealing with that right now... Then, I really didn't have time to deal with what I'de done, so now when I'm speaking to you I can say, oh my gosh that is crazy!"

Cameron Lombard, Professional ballroom dancer

Right now, Lombard is taking a breather after dancing and competing for 20 years straight.

He is brimming with ideas and plans for the future though, which include relocating to Miami, Florida.

Home is still very much in the picture though, with the dream of providing opportunities for the children of South Africa.

Cameron says this would include opening his own theatre, and a 'Monday-Friday" school to provide the necessary resources for all the talented kids back home.

A documentary and a book are also in the future pipeline.

"Right now I'm just embracing the break after two years, for just one year of my life, and actually focusing on my mental health and trying to see what exactly am I gaining from this."

"I would say I'm maybe in this space to call back my power from any negativity I've experienced... negative people, negative spaces, negative energy."

My plan is to relocate to Miami. I met a lovely girl since I've been back home and I'm going to build with someone who believes in me 100%."

Cameron Lombard, Professional ballroom dancer

We can expect him to be appearing on TV screens in America, Lombard says.