Last week on Dancing with the Stars, Holly Carpenter and professional dancer Trent Whiddon earned sixteen points with a sizzling salsa that Judge Julian branded as 'Hollylicious'. We caught up with the former Miss Ireland to see how she's adjusting to life on the dancefloor - watch the video above.
"I didn't think anything could top Miss World when it came to glitter and sequins but this is another level. The walls are covered with glitter, the shoes - everything. I'm finding glitter in strange places," she laughed.
"We get our make-up done very early in the day and it's topped up and topped up. You sweat and it's topped up but they do a great job. It can be a little bit of work getting it out but it's worth it once you see how it looks on TV."
As a Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model finalist, Holly is no stranger to spending time in the gym and working on her fitness but she was quick to admit that DWTS is on another level.
"I'm used to doing a one-hour intense session with a trainer. I get in and I know that I've got twenty minutes left, ten minutes left to get it done but with this, it's long cardio.
"You could be rehearsing from 9am to 5pm, you're on the balls of your feet, you're jumping up and down, you're doing it again, running through and running through and you're also thinking so much because you have to remember your posture and your breathing.
"I feel like I can't even speak after some of the rehearsals, it's so hard even to drive home. It's another level."
In addition to spending hours in the rehearsal studio, the Dublin woman runs her own lifestyle brand, Love Lift. And although she considers herself lucky to only have herself to look after, she admits that some self-care is essential.
"I think you have to look after yourself and that doesn't just mean having a bath or taking your vitamins. You have to check in with yourself because I get overwhelmed so easily
"Everyone here has seen me cry, I don't think it's a big deal to cry. I'm like, 'let it out'. Even if it's just to have a cry, have a pep talk with yourself and put some good music on."
Behind the scenes, the social media influencer is making friends in the only way we Irish know how - slagging each other mercilessly.
"I actually love Johnny Ward so much. He gives me life. I come in and I'm trying to have my coffee and filter things out during the day and I'll see Johnny and he just attacks me," she laughs.
Watch Holly on Dancing with the Stars this Sunday on RTÉ One at 6:30pm.
