Seles' dance moves mark her career transition
This entry was posted on March 17, 2008 4:35 PM and is filed under In the News.
By Liza HoranNew York—Tonight's season premiere of
Dancing with the Stars at 8 p.m. ET will feature a lithe, glamorous
Monica Seles applying her athleticism to a new competitive stage.
How she landed on the popular show—which matches professional dancers with stars including ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi, hip hop artist Mario, actors Marlee Matlin and Priscilla Presley, and comics Adam Carolla and Penn Jillette, among others—is no random act, and makes all the sense in the world based on her new life.
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It came from the IMG broadcast division. They were very interested in Monica," says John Steele, who handles "non-traditional talent" as a Senior V.P. at IMG. "She's been on a journey of her own, and it's part of the transition she's making to lifestyle, health and fitness."
The 34-year-old—who officially retired in February after a 20-year career that garnered nine Grand slam singles titles—already has racked up some new non-tennis career activies. She's working as a correspondent for the CBS Morning Show, writing a blog at Self.com for SELF magazine, and writing a healthy lifestyle book set for release in January 2009. And, Steele says, a radio show may be on the way.
"She's never looked better. She's never felt better. She's really got it together," says Steele, adding that "she's lost a good 20 pounds."
"It's all about her journey of finding balance, eating right...she's done a lot of thinking about what she wanted to do in life," explains Steele, whose clients include Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, The Dog Whisperer's Cesar Millan, and golfer Natalie Gulbis. He also represents Seles' former coach, Nick Bollettieri, for non-tennis opportunities.
Seles' dancing partner is Jonathan Roberts, a 31-year-old pro who has won awards in Latin and ballroom styles. Model Rachel Hunter and Heather Mills—who is listed as a "charity campaigner on ABC.com, though she's more well-known as the former wife of Beatle Paul McCartney who was awarded nearly $49 million today in that highly publicized divorce—are among his former partners on the show.
Fans can vote for their favorite dancers via phone calls, text messages or online polls. Click here for details.
None of this means the Sarasota, Fla.-based Seles is turning off tennis. Her longtime IMG agent, Tony Godsick, continues to manage her tennis engagements.
Click here for Monica Seles' bio on Dancing with the Stars' website
Click here to read about Tennis Channel's coverage of Seles on Dancing
