TL;DR
- Carlos Gu became the first openly gay and Asian winner of Strictly Come Dancing.
- His journey began in China with classical dance at age 11.
- Gu emphasizes self-expression over impressing judges.
- His partnership with Karen Carney transformed his perspective.
- Gu reflects on personal growth and joy through dance.
When Carlos Gu lifted the Glitterball Trophy at the end of Strictly Come Dancing’s 2025 series, he didn’t just make history; he shattered barriers. This dazzling dancer became the first openly gay and the first Asian professional dancer to take home the coveted trophy in the show’s 21-year history. Talk about a moment! It’s a culmination of a remarkable 20-year journey that kicked off in Taiyuan, northern China, where his mother introduced him to the world of Chinese classical dance at just 11 years old.
From those humble beginnings, Gu quickly transitioned to Latin and ballroom dance, showcasing such talent that by age 13, he was off to a boarding school in Beijing to pursue his dreams. Independence came early, and so did resilience as he navigated the competitive dance world. “I think the competitive, professional dance life means you have no life outside of dancing. You’re always chasing, always training,” Gu reflects, the weight of two decades in elite competition evident in his voice.
But let’s not forget the glittering side of his career! With his partner Susan Sun since 2011, Gu has racked up over 80 competitive results in Latin categories, including a third-place finish at the German Open Championship in 2017. But despite all the accolades, Gu found himself grappling with the toll that such a demanding career can take. “I did grow a lot,” he acknowledges, hinting at the profound lessons learned along the way.
A pivotal moment came from his dance teacher, who instilled in him a mantra that would reshape his entire approach to dance: “Dancing is a way of expressing yourself. Express yourself; [don’t] impress others.” This philosophy became Gu’s guiding light as he entered the world of Strictly Come Dancing in 2022. “I don’t want to impress judges. I’m here to express myself the way that I can,” he recalls, a refreshing perspective in a competition often obsessed with trophies.
Fast forward to 2025, Gu found himself partnered with former England footballer Karen Carney, a match that would change everything. “There are times in adulthood when you’re not lucky enough to meet somebody who can change your life,” Gu says, and Carney did just that. “She’s the only person I met on the show who said this to me. She said, ‘Carlos, Strictly is not about me, not about you. Strictly is about bringing joy to people.’”
Unlike previous seasons, Gu wasn’t just focused on the Glitterball Trophy. “I think I was really, really influenced by Karen and her athlete spirit,” he admits. “She never really thinks about next week. She never really thinks about getting to the final.” It wasn’t until week eight that Gu allowed himself to dream about victory, and even then, it was Carney who kept him grounded. “I think that really helped me stay in the present. Everything that came after that was a bonus.”
In an emotional moment during the final, Gu reflected on his journey and the struggles he faced without a dance partner the previous year. “I wasn’t really sharing. I wasn’t really thinking beyond myself; it was very self-centred,” he confessed, demonstrating the growth he experienced through his partnership with Carney.
So, here’s to Carlos Gu, a true trailblazer in the dance world, reminding us all that it’s not just about the trophies, but about the joy we bring to others. Catch the full interview in the May/June 2026 issue of Attitude, available in print and on digital platforms like Apple News+ and the Attitude app.