Dancing With The Stars NZ: Sam Hayes nails cartwheel in energetic samba

  • 06/05/2018

Newshub Live at 6pm presenter Sam Hayes has cemented another decent score on the second week of Dancing With The Stars NZ, impressing with an energetic samba.

Hayes and her partner Aaron grooved to Sia's 'Cheap Thrills' as part of the week's Top 40 theme, the bouncing Latin dance a far cry from last week's languid foxtrot.

Like last week, Hayes topped off the routine with a power move; this time, cartwheeling across her partner's legs.

The bold move paid off, with decent scores of 6, 6 and 6.

Judge Julz Tocker praised Hayes for battling through what had been a tough week for her in rehearsals.

"You handled it like a pro," he said.

For a lot of viewers, the routine would have revealed a completely new side of the newsreader - who admitted the week has pushed her significantly out of her comfort zone.

"It's really fun when you get the steps together… but getting to that point is blood, sweat and tears," she revealed in an emotional interview played before she danced.

And the show-stopping cartwheel would have taken a lot of courage as well. Speaking to the judges after the dance, Hayes revealed she had previously fractured her arm while attempting a cartwheel only a few years ago.

The next episode of DWTS NZ will air 7:30pm, Monday on Three. Watch the full episode again on ThreeNow.

Newshub.