Chris Marquès: "I always travel with my hair dryer!

Oct. 25 2013
by Marc Dedonder

Between two premiums, meeting with Chris Marquès, the emblematic juror of "Dancing with the Stars", who just released a DVD of Latin dance lessons.

Chris Marquès, triple world champion of salsa, has been for several seasons an unavoidable member of the jury of "Dancing with the Stars", the flagship show of TF1. With blows of "Incroyablissime! ", "superbissime! ", " awesome! "he judges the dancing talents of Amel Bent, Emmanuel Moire and Lorie every Saturday night. To go further, he now invites himself in your living room with a DVD of Latin dance lessons. It is on this occasion that we met him and asked this globe trotter to share some of his favorite destinations and some travel tips.

Ready to take off? It's going to swing!

The French know you mostly as the juror of "Dancing with the Stars", your joie de vivre and your hairstyle. Where do you come from ?
Chris Marques: I grew up in Alsace. My parents are Portuguese and Spanish. I started dancing very late at the age of 13, thinking that it would allow me to meet girls. But my first hour of class was a moment of total magic, a strange moment when I told myself that I wanted to become a dancer, that this is what I wanted to do with my life.

At 17, I wanted to work with the best coaches, directors and producers in the world, so I went to Lyon and then to London, where I've been living for 16 years. At the beginning, I was competing in dance sport and then I felt suffocated in this world and I decided to evolve towards what I really like, the stage, the show, the staging.

How did you become a juror on "Dancing with the Stars"?
In2004, the original version, "Strictly Come Dancing" started on the BBC. At that time, they called me as a consultant, a specialist in ballroom dancing. They quickly asked me to create a choreography where for the first time, celebrities and professional dancers would dance together. I did it, it worked and it's been going on ever since. When TF1 bought the format for France, they first offered me to be the artistic director. And then after a few days they said "Well Chris, I think we're going to put you on the air; because that haircut..." (laughs)

What did it change for you?
Everything! I already had what I personally considered a "successful" career in England. I was touring with symphony orchestras. I was working on totally different projects. I was having a great time. But when I came to France for "Dancing with the Stars", all this happiness was multiplied by 10!

How would you explain the success of the show?
Thebeauty of the format is to present popular candidates, who have a real relationship with their public and to show that if these people can let themselves go to the dance, their public can also do it. And the public discovers these stars under new facets, at home, in the studio, in full work, in the effort... They discover their vulnerability and I think that's what's interesting.

What are your favorites for this year?
Nofavorites. But we have 3 or 4 candidates who stand out. Estelle Lefébure, very beautiful, she has a gift for dancing, and that's not easy when you're that tall. Lorie is technically incredible but she still lacks a little emotion and release. Amel Bent is the opposite, she lets herself go completely, the emotions flow and she is great to see. Finally Emmanuel Moire: it's a pleasure to work with him. It's like he puts all his artistic and emotional energy into the dance.

What do you think of the cliché that dancers are gay?
As soon asI started dancing, I got this label: "Dance is only for gays". But my family was very cool, they let them say, they didn't care: "we have the right to be who we are, and then that's it! So for me it went very well and I think that there is no more place today for this kind of clichés. We are what we are. It's more of a fantasy than a reality.

Your look, your exuberance, is it a character created for the dance?
I'm dressed like this every day. It is me. I love beautiful clothes, style, attention to detail, design and I think it's important to try to "sublimate" yourself. I'm not saying I'm gorgeous (laughs)... But why not try to look good all the time? It makes us a little happier, a little more confident. Every day I am like that. I even go to bed with a tie (laughs).

You just released a DVD of Latin dance lessons?
Actually, I've hardly ever given classes because I specialized in directing very quickly. I only give classes at large events, where I do a 15/20 minute animation for 500 or 1,000 people.

But I see the positive impact that dance has on our candidates. Physically and emotionally. They end up very tired but they have discovered something in themselves, they feel more confident. I thought that this should not be reserved for our candidates.

So the DVD is based on that idea: you start at home, alone, or with friends and have a little "Chris Marques night". I love that idea (laughs). You learn steps, you feel good, you gain confidence and from that moment on, you can go dancing in public places, with people you don't know.

Any other projects?
Lots of them. I would love to do a lot of shows in France and I have ideas for musicals as well. But for the moment, I would really like to see if the public follows us with the DVD.

What would you say to those who compare you to Kamel Ouali?
It's very flattering, for me he is one of the great dancers in France. But I do everything in the Marques style, so it will be very different from Kamel.

What would you say to those who compare you to Kamel Ouali ?
It's very flattering, for me he is one of the great dancers in France. But I do everything in the Marques style, so it will be very different from Kamel.

You lived in France, then in London... In which country/town do you feel most at home today?
Itravel so much... But it's true that London is a pretty great city. There is a constant positive and driving energy. I love living there. I feel really comfortable there!

Which city or country has marked you the most during all your travels? Why or why not?
Havanawas a real shock. I was invited by a foreign ambassador and as soon as I arrived in Cuba, I was followed by the secret police.i was followed by the secret police, which is not so secret because you could see them clearly. It really shocked me. And at the same time, the Cuban people have an incredible joie de vivre. The effect of Latin dances, rum or mojitos probably (laughs). It's really a beautiful country. I felt like I was in a time machine when a car from the 50's came to pick me up at the airport: I wondered how it could still run... It was pretty awesome.

What is the object you always take with you when you travel?
Myhair dryer (laughs). I actually have a suitcase ready at all times with all my stuff in it: my ties, my hair dryer, etc. And always a good book! And always a good book!

Which city do you think is the best place to party?
London! And this might sound incredible but Glasgow, Scotland is a "huge" city to party in. Absolutely huge. The Scots are crazy! Honestly, go there, and once you're there, just let the crowd guide you and you'll see that you'll end up in the most incredible party in the city.

In which countries do you find the most beautiful dancers?
Inballroom dancing, there are some incredible dancers from Liverpool. Otherwise, in general, the "superbissimo" dancers come from Russia. And finally, the dancers who have a lot of charisma come from the United States. And then there is Chris Marques who comes from everywhere...(laughs)

Which city do you find the most gay-friendly?
Obviously London. It's completely relaxed. London is great. Barcelona, great. Ibiza, great. I'm not going to say anything about Paris because I don't really know it. Honestly, I haven't been around Paris too much yet, I haven't had the time.

Your next trip?
Dubai. Very nice, but not very gay-friendly. I like luxury, so I feel good there. The hotels there are absolutely "amazing". I like the Royal Meridian Spa. That's where I feel the best. I've never tried Atlantis, but when you go there, it's always full of families everywhere, and even though the families are great, if you want your own little piece of paradise, that's not the place to go.

Your dream destination ?
I'm heading to St. Lucia soon, to the Body Holiday. It's known for being one of the most incredible spa and wellness destinations in the world. And I can't wait to go there. To relax. We start in the morning with yoga on the beach, breakfast al fresco... it's perfect.

Where do you like to travel with your partner?
Imust admit that I have a kind of soft spot: New York. My favorite hotel is The Palace, in Manhattan. And it's true that it's "suberbissime". I absolutely have to try the W Hotel as well. There are also some in Paris, in Miami. I haven't tried them yet but everyone tells me that it's absolutely "awesome".

Finally, could you share with our readers a photo you brought back from one of your last trips?
Thisis a picture of the big mosque in Brunei, where I was not long ago. It's quite nice.