Former participants returning for the All-Stars theme on Saturday’s eighth episode of TV 2’s Skal vi danse, including Harlem Alexander and Trygve Bennetsen, will serve strictly as mentors rather than performing on the dance floor, sparking disappointment among several returning stars, Dagbladet reported.
What You Need to Know About the All-Stars Decision
- Returning favorites like Harlem Alexander and Trygve Bennetsen are restricted to mentoring roles and will not step onto the dance floor during Saturday’s show, as confirmed by Dagbladet and TV 2.
Former Contestants Mentor Remaining Skal Vi Danse Pairs
Saturday marks the eighth episode of the current Skal vi danse season, featuring a dedicated All-Stars theme. Rather than re-entering the competition themselves, former contestants have been assigned to mentor and support the remaining celebrity-and-professional pairs by sharing inspiration from past choreographies. According to TV 2, the production company intentionally paired the legends with this season’s couples to foster strong chemistry and guidance. Press spokesperson Siril Vatne Meling explained that the production company, rather than the participants, selected the pairings with the goal of challenging and inspiring the current couples.
The pairings announced for Saturday’s broadcast connect past seasons directly to the current roster:
| Current Dansepar | Returning All-Star Mentor |
|---|---|
| Maria Stavang og Jørgen Nilsen | Alexandra Joner |
| Leah Behn og Andreas Hiim | Selma Ibrahim |
| Øyunn Krogh og Tarjei Svalastog | Nate Kahungu |
| Alessandra Mele og Jone Snilstveit | Harlem Alexander |
| Victoria Nadine og Antonio Careri | Trygve Bennetsen |
| Sebastian Solberg og Marianne Sandaker | Emilie Nereng |
| Sondre Sundby og Norunn Ringvoll | Ulrikke Brandstorp |
| Tim Kristian Moen og Amalie Aune | Tale Torjussen |
Ex-Contestants React to the Restrictions
Harlem Alexander, who competed in the 19th season alongside Helene Spilling and reached a fourth-place finish, expressed initial disappointment upon learning he would stay off the floor. As Dagbladet reported, Harlem Alexander admitted he had hoped for a brief performance slot, noting that his time on the show was profoundly life-changing after entering the production dealing with a personal depression. Harlem Alexander noted that his husband, Jan Thomas—who joined the judging panel the year after Harlem Alexander competed—thinks it is wonderful and is very proud that he was asked. Nate Kahungu, who finished in second place in 2020 alongside Helene Spilling and later returned for the 2022 All-Stars season to finish in fourth place, visited couple Øyunn Krogh and Tarjei Svalastog for a brief half-hour drop-in appearance.
Trygve Bennetsen, who danced in the 20th anniversary season and finished in sixth place, shared similar sentiments regarding the limits placed on the returning guests. Bennetsen suggested to Dagbladet that production likely limited the guest routines to prevent them from overshadowing the current contestants and to keep production time and costs streamlined, adding that he intended to enjoy the evening from the audience with a bottle of wine.
Production Honors Show History with All Stars Theme
Press spokesperson Siril Vatne Meling explained to TV 2 that the format honors the show’s history while keeping the spotlight on the active competitors. This approach mirrors a similar production choice used during the anniversary season.
Reactions among the active professional dancers remain mixed. While competitor Øyunn Krogh expressed sadness that guest mentor Nate Kahungu could not join them in a dance, professional dancer Tarjei Svalastog admitted to Dagbladet that trio arrangements present distinct choreography challenges.
