Bruno Tonioli

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Bruno Tonioli
Tonioli in 2009
Born25 November 1955 (age 67)
Ferrara, Italy
Nationality
  • Italian
  • British
Occupations
  • Television personality
  • choreographer
  • dancer
Years active1980–present
Television
PartnerJason Schanne (2010–present)

Bruno Tonioli (Italian pronunciation: [ˈbruno tonˈjɔli]; born 25 November 1955) is a British-Italian television personality, choreographer and dancer. He has judged on the British television shows Strictly Come Dancing (2004–2019) and Britain's Got Talent (2023–present), and the American television show Dancing with the Stars (2005–present). He co-created and appeared on the BBC One talent show DanceX (2007) and its American adaptation, Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann (2008).

Career

In 1980, as part of the group Duke and the Aces, Tonioli performed in but did not win the United Kingdom's competition to select an entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.[1]

Tonioli has worked in the music business as a choreographer for music videos, stage shows, and tours for artists such as Tina Turner, Sting, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Freddie Mercury, Sinitta, Boy George, Dead or Alive, Bananarama, and Duran Duran. He danced in the Elton John video for "I'm Still Standing" (1983).[2]

Tonioli choreographed the band Arcadia's music video for their song "Election Day" as documented in a 1980s documentary entitled The Making of Election Day. He was the choreographer for Ella Enchanted's Minnie Driver.[2]

In November 2016, Tonioli lent his name to an album released by Decca entitled An Italian Romance – a compilation of Italian songs by various artists selected by Tonioli. The cover of the album was shot by John Mac.[3]

In November 2018, Tonioli presented the BBC Radio 2 series Bruno Tonioli at the Opera.[4]

In October 2022, Tonioli competed in the second series of The Masked Dancer as Pearly King. He was in third place.

In January 2023, it was announced that Tonioli would be joining the judging panel for Series 16 of the British talent show Britain's Got Talent, replacing David Walliams.[5] Tonioli was the first to use the Golden Buzzer, doing so for Ugandan dance group Ghetto Kids. However, not knowing the rules of the show, he mistakenly pressed it during the performance instead of waiting till the end, as had been the case since the Golden Buzzer was introduced in 2014.[6][7] Tonioli then went on to press it again in the sixth episode, this time for singer Gamal John. This had never been done in the show's history, as usually a Judge only gets one use of the Golden Buzzer. Nevertheless it still counted.[8]

Strictly Come Dancing & Dancing with the Stars

Main article: Strictly Come Dancing
Tonioli at the Strictly Come Dancing Tour in 2022

In 2004, Tonioli was elected to be a Judge on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, along with Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips & Len Goodman. In 2005, he was then chosen to be a judge on Dancing with the Stars, where he has remained until present. As he was a judge on both Strictly Come Dancing and its American counterpart, Dancing with the Stars, in Series 16 and 17, during two weeks in both series, he was replaced by guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro, due to a broadcasting conflict between the two shows.

Tonioli quickly became known for his commentary style, often getting out of his chair and physically describing a performance, whilst at the same time including colourful descriptives. As examples, during his time with the U.S. Dancing With the Stars, Tonioli called Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan "a little lynx on the prowl" and labelled singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus "a crazy bear lost in a swamp".[9]

The lowest score Tonioli has ever given a contestant was a '2' awarded only once on Dancing With the Stars, to Master P and his partner Ashly DelGrosso for their Paso Doble. This was due to Master P's lack of showmanship, and unwillingness to train and participate in the show.[10] On Strictly Come Dancing, Tonioli has never awarded a '9' when every other Judge has awarded a '10', however on Dancing With the Stars this has happened on multiple occasions.[11]

In 2020, due to COVID restrictions, Tonioli was stuck in the US and therefore did not appear on the judging panel at all during the series, but instead featured each week during the Judges' chat with Claudia via video call during the results show.

On 24 June 2021, it was announced that Anton Du Beke, the longest-running Strictly professional, would replace Tonioli as a permanent judge on Strictly Come Dancing for series 19.[12] It was then announced on 19 May 2022 that Tonioli would not be returning to Strictly, and that Du Beke would take over permanently.[13] Tonioli remarked on the matter:

"Well I always will miss it, it's my family, I mean we'll always be friends and you never know what's going to happen. At the moment, you know it's just as impossible, you know the situation is too complicated but they're all my brothers and sisters. We're all loving each other, you know, no hard feelings, they're great, they do a great job.”[14]

In 2016, a surprise challenge saw Tonioli work with Jodie Sweetin and season 22 (U.S.) eventual-winner Nyle DiMarco and their professional partners. During the sequence, the two celebrities swapped partners, seeing DiMarco and Keo Motsepe dance the tango in ballroom hold, with both men shirtless, and Mostsepe lift and twirl DiMarco. This was the first time a same-sex pairing danced in any franchise of the show.[15]

On Christmas Day 2022, in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, Tonioli surprised viewers by making a guest appearance, and singing "Don't Leave Me This Way" by The Communards.[16] Reactions to the performance were mixed.[17][18][19]

Controversies

Michael Bolton

A minor controversy arose following Tonioli's remarks to U.S. Dancing With the Stars contestant Michael Bolton and dance partner Chelsie Hightower on the 27 September 2010 after show, when the judge called Bolton's jive dance the worst he had seen in all 11 seasons, later awarding him a score of '3'. Bolton expressed his dissatisfaction prominently in the media afterward, stating:

"To me, [Bruno] let everybody down. My mom was there, she flew in. She's 90 and I thought she was going to really enjoy it, and I just didn't expect that level of disrespect from him."[20]

This prompted ABC to release a statement firmly defending Tonioli:[21]

"Bruno's role as a judge is to give his honest opinions on the quality of the dances he's judging, which is what he did in this case. While we respect the feelings of our celebrities and dancers, we don't feel Bruno should be expected to apologize for doing his job."

Public image

In 2009, Rolling Stone magazine said that Tonioli had "won America's heart with his gay-Italian-maniac steez."[22]

Personal life

Tonioli is fluent in five languages: Italian, English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.[23] He has lived in London since 1975.[24]

Tonioli is gay and has spoken of the homophobic bullying he suffered in his youth.[25]

Since 2010, Tonioli has been in a relationship with model Jason Schanne. In 2012, two years after the pair met, the couple had a commitment ceremony.

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1981 Blake's 7 Dead Young Man 1 episode; Uncredited
1985 Murder of a Moderate Man Italian Policeman 1 episode; TV Mini Series
Oscar Peppino 1 episode
1987 Top of the Pops Dancer
2001 The Bill Rolf
2004–2019, 2022 Strictly Come Dancing Judge, Guest Performer
2005-2019 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Himself 41 episodes
2005–present Dancing with the Stars Judge
2007-2008, 2015 Dancing with the Stars Australia Guest Judge 7 episodes
2007-2019 Entertainment Tonight Himself 20 episodes
2007 DanceX Team Leader Also co-creator
2008 Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann
2010 Strictly Cinderella Himself Cbeebies Special
2012 8 Out of 10 Cats 1 episode
Top Gear USA
2013-2015 Through the Keyhole Guest Panelist 2 episodes
2013-2017 Celebrity Juice 3 episodes
2013 Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor Himself TV Special
Let's Do Christmas with Gino & Mel 1 episode
2014 Nashville
Would I Lie to You? Guest Panelist
Celebrity Squares
Room 101
2015 The People's Strictly for Comic Relief Judge
Celebrity Fifteen to One Himself 1 episode
The Dr. Oz Show
Reality Bites Guest Panelist
2016-2020 Children in Need Himself
2016 Fuller House Guiseppe Pignoli 1 episode
Michael McIntyre's Big Show Himself
West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic Presenter TV Documentary
2017 Saturday Night Fever - the Ultimate Disco Movie
Eurovision: You Decide Himself TV Special
2018 Eyes of Faith TV Documentary
Tribute to George Chakiris
Sir Bruce: A Celebration
2019 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars 1 episode
2020 Celebrity Supply Teacher
2021 Horrible Histories Emporer Nero
Craig and Bruno's Great British Road Trips Himself 1 series; 6 episodes
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration TV Special
Take Off with Bradley & Holly 1 episode
2022 The Masked Dancer Pearly King 8 episodes
Blankety Blank Himself 1 episode
Portrait Artist of the Year
2023–present Britain's Got Talent Judge

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Absolute Beginners Maltese Lodger
2003 What a Girl Wants Fashion Emcee
2016 Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Himself Cameo Appearance

References

  1. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing Judge Bruno Tonioli's Secret Eurovision Past Has Been Revealed". Radio Times. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved 2017-09-24.
  2. ^ a b People staff (2005-07-11). "Let's Get Ready to Rumba!". People. 64 (2): 119.
  3. ^ "Johnmacphotography.com".
  4. ^ Bruno Tonioli at the Opera, BBC Radio 2
  5. ^ "David Walliams replaced by Bruno Tonioli as Britain's Got Talent judge". BBC News. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Britain's Got Talent 2023: Bruno Tonioli hits Golden Buzzer for Ghetto Kids dance troupe in show first".
  7. ^ "Britain's Got Talent plunged into joyful chaos as Bruno Tonioli keeps on making mistakes".
  8. ^ "Britain's Got Talent sees Bruno Tonioli press his Golden Buzzer for the second time".
  9. ^ Staff (20 March 2007) Mills foxtrots onto US dance show BBC News Entertainment, Retrieved 3 November 2011
  10. ^ "The Worst "Dancing With The Stars" Contestant Ever, According to the Pros".
  11. ^ "'Dancing With the Stars' Fans Are Fuming at Judge Bruno Tonioli Over Johnny Weir's Score".
  12. ^ "Anton Du Beke to join Strictly judges for new series". BBC News. 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  13. ^ "Bruno Tonioli leaves Strictly Come Dancing for good, replaced by Anton Du Beke". BBC News. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  14. ^ "'Too complicated' Bruno Tonioli admits Strictly Come Dancing return is 'impossible'".
  15. ^ Williams, Joe (10 May 2016). "Dancing With The Stars features first same-sex dance routine". PinkNews. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  16. ^ Bruno Tonioli performs Don't Leave Me This Way in our Christmas Special on YouTube
  17. ^ "Strictly's Bruno slammed over Christmas special as some rush to defend him". 26 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Strictly fans baffled as Bruno Tonioli 'ruins Christmas' with singing". 25 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Strictly fans divided as Bruno Tonioli returns to show for Christmas special". 25 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Michael Bolton Demands Apology From Bruno Tonioli". ABC News.
  21. ^ Seibel, Deborah Starr (2010-09-29). "Backstage at Dancing With the Stars: Pros React to Bruno's Harsh Comments". TV Guide. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
  22. ^ Rolling Stone staff (June 11, 2009). "Meet the New Boss, and Weep". Rolling Stone. No. 1080. p. 88.
  23. ^ Griffiths, Emmy (February 11, 2019). "Strictly fans reveal Bruno Tonioli's hidden talent". Hello!. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  24. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing - Bruno Tonioli". BBC. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  25. ^ "I was the only gay in my village .. humour helped me to beat the bullies". Daily Mirror. 29 January 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2020.

External links

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