Sonia Kruger remembers Baz Luhrmann’s debut role in Strictly Ballroom

Sonia Kruger has been tracing her memory as she recalls her role on Monday’s Strictly Ballroom.

The TV presenter played Tina Sparkle in the 1992 romantic comedy directed by Baz Luhrmann, and she never looked back.

“This is where her career began,” 56-year-old Ben O’Shea told The West on the Live Podcast Luhrmann.

“And it’s the same as mine. If it wasn’t for that movie, I probably wouldn’t be on TV today,” she said.

Sonia has revealed how she got a role in the movie after being initially chosen as an extra due to her ballroom dancing background.

“I heard through a friend that there was something moving about ballroom dancing,” she said.

The Star: The TV presenter played Tina Sparkle in the 1992 romantic comedy directed by Baz Luhrmann (pictured) and never looked back.

“And I knew they were going to use me as an extra because I was a professional dancer at the time, but I really wanted to get a part. So I went to find out who started it.

Sonia found out that the cast was Faith Martin and knocked on her door.

“Hi, I’m Sonia, I would really like to get a part!” I said. And she said, “Well, there’s a character, Tina Sparkle, but we’re not going to do it for a year.

“This is where her career began,” the 56-year-old told Ben O’Shea on Luhrmann’s The West Live podcast (pictured). “And it’s the same as mine. I probably wouldn’t be on TV today if it wasn’t for that movie.”

“A year passed and I was called to audition for Baz. So they kept their word.’

The Voice Australia presenter told Baz, who will premiere her new Elvis biography in Cannes this week, that she was “perfect” for the role of the unconscious Tina Sparkle.

“Still, I only had six lines in the movie,” Sonia said with a laugh.

He explained that Baz replied: “Just think about it, Brad Pitt only had six lines on Thelma and Louise and look what happened to him!”

Gumption: Sonia has revealed how she got a role in the movie after being initially chosen as an extra due to her ballroom dancing background.

In the comedy, Paul Mercurio stars as Scott Hastings, an Australian ballroom dancer who collaborates with aspiring dancer Fran (Tara Morice) after her casual style earned her the disdain of her conservative colleagues.

Together they set out to win the National Dance Championship title and told the Ballroom Confederation, “No new steps!” They proved them wrong when they said so.

Sonia also served as a ballroom consultant on the film, helping her fellow cast members learn to dance.

I got it right: Sonia found out that the cast was Faith Martin and knocked on her door. “Hi, I’m Sonia, I would really like to get a part!” I said. And she said, “Well, there’s a character, Tina Sparkle,” Sonia explained