WRAL-TV Anchor/Reporter Sloane Heffernan is vying for the local Dancing title. |
Now that we’ve got your attention….She brightens up your weekend mornings on the anchor desk, but soon she’ll be lighting up the dance floor as well. WRAL-TV Anchor/Reporter Sloane Heffernan is the latest CBC’er to strap on her dancing shoes for a shot at the title for the local Dancing Like the Stars competition.
The ballroom battle will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012, as part of the Southern Women’s Show.
She’ll be dancing with partner Steve Caballero from Arthur Murray Dance Studios. But there’s a catch.
“Unfortunately, Steve has been on the sidelines with a concussion for the past two weeks (how’s that for a little drama…just like the hit show!)” Heffernan told capcom. Maks & Melissa Gilbert have nothing on this couple!
Although Heffernan has been dancing since she was a little girl – and stay tuned for the NFL reference – she says that the ballroom is a whole new game.
“I LOVE dancing, but ballroom dancing is proving to be very challenging,” she said.
A second pro, Andre, has stepped in to help her while her partner is recuperating.
Heffernan follows in the footsteps of several of her WRAL co-workers. Various CBC’ers have danced over the years including 5 On Your Side Reporter Monica Laliberte and former Trafficologist Mark Roberts. Anchor/Reporter Renee Chou took home the title in 2010, and former WRAL Morning News Anchor, and now MIX 101.5 Morning Show Co-Host, Lynda Loveland won in 2008.
While the judges’ scores matter, the key to winning is fundraising. The event benefits the National Inclusion Project, Clay Aiken’s charity. The charity brings children with and without disabilities together, so that no child sits on the sidelines.
“It’s the biggest fundraiser who wins…so I really need those donations,” said Heffernan. “It’s $1.00 for every vote. My husband has been my biggest cheerleader/fundraiser. He helped me put together a big poker event two weeks ago. We raised more than $2,000 dollars!”
How is Heffernan feeling about her chances?
“I am very nervous about the performance because we are less than three weeks away and I don’t know when my partner will be ready to dance again,” she said.
But Heffernan is no stranger to performing. Of course, she’s on the spot each week on WRAL’s News, but she also spent six years as a cheerleader for the New England Patriots. There’s your WRAL trivia for the day!
She’s really enjoying the experience in the ballroom.
“The best part has been raising money for a good cause and getting to dance again,” said Heffernan. “The most difficult part is trying to fit practices into my busy schedule with three kids, work and a husband who travels —oh yeah, and an injured dance partner.”
Now we’ll see if she can talk her husband into a few ballroom lessons after the competition…