Singer Tolü Makay has said 2026's outing of Dancing with the Stars felt like the right fit, after being asked to take part in the show on three separate occasions.
"I’m so happy," Makay told RTÉ Entertainment. "When I said yes to Dancing with the Stars, it was because I knew this was the right time. Fun fact: this was actually the third time I’d been asked to do the show.
"But this time genuinely felt different. I had a bit more space and time, even though I’m still gigging, and I was really looking for joy in 2026."
Watch: Tolü Makay and Maciej Zięba perform a Rumba to Faith Hill's power ballad There You'll Be
She added with a laugh: "Honestly, my slogan before I even said yes - before I even knew I was doing Dancing with the Stars - was that 2026 was going to be the year of 'shake my a**'."
Makay has emerged as one of Ireland's most compelling musical voices, known for her soulful sound and deeply personal lyrics.
From singing in church as a child to her viral rendition of the Saw Doctors’ N17 with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, she has captivated audiences across the country.
You can catch Dancing with the Stars on Sunday, 1 February, from 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player for Dedicated Dance Week.
The couples will take to the floor to perform a routine in tribute to a person, or people, who have made a major impact on their lives.
For more TV news, click here
