Spotlight: Robbie Kmetoni

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the St George area of Sydney.

How did you catch the dance bug?

I started when I was five years old in kindergarten. During a lunch break, one of the mothers held a dance class. I loved it. I was real good at it. After the class, the dance instructor (Rosanna Salle) went up to my mum (Maria) and told her I should consider continuing it further outside of school curriculum as I have a natural gift for it. I was playing soccer at the time; my dad was also my coach. The idea of dancing after school did not go down well with me at first. It didn’t take long for that to wear off though. One day a week turned into two, then into four, then the next thing I knew I was training for the Royal Ballet.

What was your earliest performance? 

I used to put on shows at our Italian family gatherings with my little cousins all the time.

You joined ‘Burn the Floor’ after winning ‘SYTYCD’ when you were 18 years old. How many world tours have you done now with the show?

I toured the world with BTF non-stop from 2010 to 2014: USA, London (twice), Netherlands, South Africa (twice), China, Japan, Australia (twice), Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and a whole lot more. It was a lot living out of a suitcase week to week or sometimes day to day. Touring life is beautiful as a young professional dancer. I was so lucky to do it when I did.

You have also taken part in many other shows such as Eurovision Song Contest and ‘Carmen’ with Opera Australia. What has been a major highlight?

Strictly Come Dancing: the live arena tour 2020, 2023 and 2024. Each year that I’m fortunate enough to be part of this incredible show, I pinch myself. Dancing to crowds of 10-20,000 people per show, to an audience who love dancing, with a show that is all about dancing and where dancers become the stars of the show, is truly a dream. There is no other feeling like it!

You moved to London to pursue your career. When and why?

I moved in early 2018. I had this urge of wanting more for myself. I have always felt too boxed and cornered in Australia within the industry. My height was always a factor when it came down to me not getting booked for jobs. I knew my own worth and what I was truly capable of so I wanted to keep pursuing my options overseas. After a lot of hard work and perseverance, it worked out beautifully. I’m so grateful I listened to my own gut feeling and made the big move.

Can you tell us any major differences between the scene there and here?

There is a constant hustle in the dance scene to better yourself, regardless of age or if you are already a working dancer. Getting to class is an antidote for self confidence and greatness. On top of that, there are so many different avenues: musical theatre, commercial scene, film and TV, social media marketing, etc. The city has an abundance of opportunities.

You are a choreographer on ‘Burn the Floor’. What sections of the show are you responsible for?

Every step in the show that is not in the ballroom/Latin world has been created by myself.  However, the creative team behind this new era of BTF is completely collaborative and we are very passionate in creating/sharing ideas, so the final product will be to the absolute highest standard we can achieve. 

In your show reel you say you are still finding ways your body can move. Is that still the case?

Dance is forever changing, and so are our bodies. The way we continue to adapt and improve will be a life-long process and I am absolutely here for it. Once a student, always a student! 

How would you describe your feet?

I’ve been told my feet are "quite handsome". So, I’m going to proudly stick with that.

This year’s tour of 'Burn the Floor' will star the much loved and supremely talented Phil Burton from globally renowned supergroup Human Nature. The national tour will commence on August 14 in Western Australia then travels to Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and finishes at the Sydney Opera House on  September 21, 2024. 

This year is the 25th Anniversary of 'Burn the Floor'! For details and dates go here.