Kristina Rihanoff: Dancing Out of Darkness - My Story: Dancing Out of Darkness: Strictly My Story

by Kristina Rhianoff

Kristina was born in 1977 in Vladivostok, East Russia, a bleak naval town closed to foreigners under Soviet rule. Despite the limitations this imposed, Kristina’s early years were spent in a creative home, in which her father’s love of music saw her dancing from an early age. It was Latin music, in particular, that stirred her passion.
From the age of seven, Kristina was already winning competitions and from sixteen she had established herself as a renowned dance teacher and champion. After university, her life was to change she was invited to the United States to compete professionally with an American dancer - a partnership that propelled her to win international competitions.
After retiring from the competitive world, Kristina joined the US TV series Dancing With The Stars on their Winter Tour 2007/8 and was so popular with the public that she was invited to London to take part in Strictly Come Dancing. This brought with it a new level of fame.
In this frank and heartfelt memoir, Kristina describes for the first time the struggles she faced in her younger years, when those dearest to her were falling apart, as well as the sheer nerve and determination she needed to succeed in the competitive world.
From her high-profile relationships to what it is like dancing with her celebrity partners such as John Sergeant, Joe Calzaghe and Ben Cohen, she reveals the truth behind the tabloid headlines and how it feels to be at the heart of a global franchise. Speaking candidly about the impact world travel and stardom have had on her character, Kristina offers a glimpse behind the sparkle of sequins and glitter balls.
This absorbing tale, sometimes sad, sometimes funny, is one of courage and honesty; and, while Kristina may not perform forever, she will keep dancing with a song in her heart.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2015

Reviews

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never seen Kristina dance. In Canada, we have "Dancing with the Stars" but not the British version. I picked this up wanting to know more about Kristina's story coming from the Soviet Union, to her life now.

All I can say here is, the first bit of this book was interesting. I found it interesting to read about Kristina's life in the Soviet Union under communist rule, then the changes that can with the Soviet Union split up. It was interesting to read about Kristina getting into dance when, from what I know about the Soviet Union, they really tried to focus kids on sports because they wanted to keep with the Olympic idea of total dominance in sport. I also found it interesting to read about Kristina's own struggles in her childhood with her mother living with Substance Use and perhaps mental health, and her parents splitting up and how it affected her upbringing.

I gave this three stars because, once Kristina left Russia and moved to the US to dance, I started to get bored. I found myself skipping pages, looking for something interesting to read.

Maybe if you follow dance, it would be interesting. I don't so, I found this book on the boring side.

[Leah Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristina Rihanoff was a beautiful addition to Strictly Come Dancing. She was such a refreshment and held her own signature style and beauty. I thoroughly loved reading her book and I wish her all the best for the future.

[Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a wonderful story that you won't be able to put down. It's well written and flowed brilliantly. She definitely has lived a very interesting life. If you love strictly and dancing this book, It's a must-read.

[Lord Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit eye opener what happens behind the scenes on strictly but worth get know Kristina better

[Flapper72]

I downloaded this as I thought it would be interesting. I'd listened to Kristina Rihanoff interviews on the radio, I think probably on Woman's Hour, and that made me think that she's not as monochrome a character as the media in the UK like to portray. I have always been frustrated by the way she's portrayed by the gutter press (i.e.; daily mail) here in the UK. She's a single independent woman and yet it would appear that certain 'journalists' always want to go on about her being a husband stealer and breaks up relationships. I will repeat - she's a single woman. She can do what she want (even if it were true). Anyway, after hearing a brief interview it made me think about her beginnings - born and brought up in Soviet Russia so dancing was, possibly, going to be her escape route as was so often the case before the Iron Curtain came down so I was interested to read more. I really found this book an interesting read. It isn't wonderfully written but is interesting and eye opening. This woman has really had a struggle. Brought up in a rather fractious family, living with grandparents, deserted by her father, brought up by an alcoholic mother, abused and, subsequently, lacking in confidence. She tells her life story, thus far, in the Soviet Union, travelling outside that with the power of dance, and her continuously strong work ethic that she will put before herself and her personal life. It also gives Kristina a chance to tell her side of the story. Well, in fact, the point that most of the nonsense written in the daily mail really wasn't a story but has made periods of her life a misery and brought her to the point of almost giving up. This really is an interesting read and helps us try to understand this interesting young woman who should be admired for what she has achieved from her very complex, difficult beginnings.

[Val Robson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read as I have only ever seen Kristina on Strictly Come Dancing. She had a hard childhood in Soviet Russia before going to the States as a young woman to live with Brian Fortuna's family. She didn't know them at all until she arrived so this was a big more for someone from such as different culture who spoke little English. Brian had been selected to be her new dance partner. She and Brian went on to have great success for many years, winning major awards worldwide, before she moved to the UK and started work for Strictly in 2008.

While in the States her family back in Russia were still struggling with poverty as the breakup of the Soviet Union progressed. Kristina was supporting them financially all during this time.

She is clearly very frustrated with the British press intrusion which he writes a lot about in the final section of the book. I do have some sympathy with her over that.

[Lucie Mullery · Rating 3 out of 5]

difficult to read and enjoy. Felt that some parts were repeated but then other important parts we skipped over too much.

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting and difficult childhood and then transition to USA means first half is OK, but descends into a tabloid deluge in the Strictly years - not really her fault but begins to get tedious