Celebrities, P-Pop dancers team up as duos in ‘Stars on the Floor’ Season 2

February 25 ------ A fresh set of pairings is fueling the second season of “Stars on the Floor,” where celebrities and P-Pop dancers now compete side by side as duos. The collaboration format, introduced through the “Collabo-labong Labanan” round, challenges both camps to adapt quickly to new partners and unfamiliar dance genres.

Hosted by Alden Richards, the program brings together established actors and rising P-Pop performers under the scrutiny of the “Dance Authority” panel led by Marian Rivera, alongside Coach Jay and Rayver Cruz.

For Rivera, strong execution is expected, but genuine joy on stage remains nonnegotiable. “I always say that every time I watch, I want to see them enjoying themselves. At the same time, of course, their steps have to be right, and their partner has to be in sync. But what’s really important to me is when I see that they’re enjoying every step of theirs,” she said.

The new format has required P-Pop artists, who are used to performing in tightly synchronized groups, to step outside their comfort zones and build instant chemistry with celebrity partners they have only recently met. Sunday’s premiere unveiled the season’s “Mystery Celebrity Dance Star” as multi-awarded actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith, who opened with a high-energy cha-cha-cha alongside Joker of 1st.One.

Other duos followed with themed routines: Rocco Nacino and Denise of Calista staged a crime-inspired choreography; Chanty Videla and Jeromy of Hori7on performed a jazz funk piece centered on dating apps; Paul Salas and Sophia of Kaia delivered an alternate-reality hip-hop number; and Sugar Mercado teamed up with Jao of Alamat for a carnival-themed dancehall performance.

Reflecting on the adjustment, Joker acknowledged both the challenge and the excitement of temporarily stepping away from his group identity. “Of course, it’s different. We’re separated from our group. But it’s exciting to have a new partner, new chemistry, and new friends. And it’s enjoyable because we’re dancing a different genre every episode. So, we’re enjoying it. And I think all of us are looking for ways to dance and enjoy the things we’re doing,” he said.

Jeromy of Hori7on said the shift demands flexibility, especially when personalities and training backgrounds vary. “As Joker said, we were separated from our group. Since I’m one of the younger members, I didn’t really get much time to get to know everyone, so I’ve had to make a lot of adjustments and build chemistry with my partners. But based on what we saw in last night’s episode, it didn’t seem like there were many adjustments needed because you’re all so good,” he said.

Beyond the weekly performan­ces, several P-Pop members used the platform to address lingering misconceptions about the rigor behind idol training, saying the competition highlights years of preparation that often go unseen by the public.

Jao of Alamat said, “P-Pop training is no joke. It requires a lot of dedication and investment of time. Most of us train for two years, and some even up to five, sometimes with little to no rest, just to perfect our technique, execution and movements as one group. That’s what makes P-Pop training really hard. But it also helps us in Stars on the Floor — and the adjustments here have been fun.”

Sophia of Kaia added that their preparation goes beyond choreography. “This show is a different environment, but our training has been very rigorous. It’s not just about dancing and singing—it’s everything, including how you present and carry yourself in public. Overall, our training really helped us here. I think it’s a big advantage. We’re just having fun on this journey, and we’re very happy and grateful to be here.”

For the celebrity contestants, the experience has offered a new appreciation for the physical and mental demands of competitive dance, particularly under a compressed rehearsal schedule. Salas pointed out that mastering a full routine in a matter of days leaves little room for error or recovery. “There’s a lot of emotion and physicality involved, and the physical aspect is 400% full out. With the different dance styles we’ve experienced, we learn the foundation and basics in two days, and by the third day, we perform the full choreography. So the biggest challenge is memorization—building muscle memory in such a short time. I grew up with hip-hop, but here I’ve also experienced jazz and salsa, which are very different. I think the next big challenge is recovery.”

As the duet battles continue, the show positions itself not just as a competition, but as a crossover stage where acting experience and idol training meet, testing how quickly two performers from different backgrounds can move as one.

Source: manilatimes.net