Marama Fox arrived for her elimination interview tired, nursing sore ribs and playfully cursing David Seymour after being the fourth contestant to leave Dancing With The Stars NZ.
During her run on the show, the former Maori Party leader brought Kapa Haka to the ballroom, promoted body positivity and raised money and awareness for her charity - the Ka Pai Kaiti Trust.
- Dancing With The Stars NZ: Roger Farrelly's quick-step marred by tumble
- Marama Fox voted off Dancing with the Stars NZ after first dance-off
Despite these inspiring achievements, Marama said there was one thing in particular on her mind during the competition.
"My one goal was to beat David Seymour, and it feels like the blinking 2017 election all over again," she said.
"He beat you in the election and he beat you in Dancing With The Stars," added her dance partner Brad, helpfully.
In an unlikely twist, Marama revealed that she has a long-standing friendship with the ACT party leader.
"David Seymour was so crushed that he wasn't going home before me that he took me out last night, and bought a bottle of champagne," she said.
"We used to get on like a house on fire in politics, we used to have our 'covert meetings'... we're good mates."
Brad - or 'Boyzee' to Marama - recalled how the two politicians would spend valuable rehearsal time debating subjects such as the euthanasia bill.
"I don't agree with all of his politics - at all," she added. "But he's a nice guy."
Whatever the nature of their friendship, David was not safe from Marama's razor-sharp wit.
"You said something about him not being able to lead anyone, ever," Brad said, referring to an opening number that saw the other contestants running on stage behind David.
"That's right. He's a party of one, what are you talking about?! Hello!" Marama said.
Her lack of experience in the ball room didn't stop her offering some unsolicited advice to the head choreographer: "Your first mistake was asking us to follow David Seymour!"
Viewers can help keep their favourite dancer in the competition by texting their first name to 3333 - each text costs 99c and net proceeds go to that star's chosen charity.
DWTS NZ airs Sundays 7pm and Mondays 7.30pm on Three, and all episodes can be viewed again on ThreeNow.
Newshub.
