Schapelle Corby reveals how Dancing With The Stars triggered her fear of ‘body contact’

‘I don’t like people touching me’: Schapelle Corby reveals how being on Dancing with the Stars triggered her fear of ‘body contact’ after nine years in a cramped Bali prison

Schapelle Corby impressed the judges and viewers alike on Sunday night when she made her debut on Seven’s Dancing with the Stars: All Stars.

And the convicted drug smuggler-turned-reality TV star, 43, has now revealed some of the obstacles she had to overcome before hitting the dance floor.

Schapelle told Woman’s Day she was forced to confront her fear of ‘body contact’ – which presumably stems from the nine years she spent behind bars at Bali’s notoriously overcrowded Kerobokan Prison.

‘I don’t like people touching me’: Schapelle Corby has revealed how being on Dancing with the Stars triggered her fear of ‘body contact’, which presumably stems from her nine years spent in a cramped Bali prison. Pictured with her professional dance partner Shae Mountain

‘There was so much body contact,’ Schapelle said. 

‘I don’t like people touching me, so that was an issue I had to overcome. I really struggled with that in the first few weeks.’

Schapelle added that she had no idea just how gruelling Dancing with the Stars would be and once thought to herself: ‘What the hell have I signed up for?’ 

Trauma: The convicted drug smuggler, 43, told Woman's Day, 'I don't like people touching me, so that was an issue I had to overcome. I really struggled with that in the first few weeks'

Trauma: The convicted drug smuggler, 43, told Woman’s Day, ‘I don’t like people touching me, so that was an issue I had to overcome. I really struggled with that in the first few weeks’

After making her debut on Sunday night, Schapelle told DWTS host Sonia Kruger how she was ‘so nervous’ she was ‘crying’ backstage. 

But after performing the Viennese waltz with her dance partner Shae Mountain, she had nothing to worry about because the judges were sufficiently impressed.

Todd McKenney admitted to Schapelle he thought she was ‘going to be crap’, and in turn she confessed she was ‘feeling the same’. 

Challenge: Schapelle added that she had no idea just how gruelling Dancing with the Stars would be and once thought to herself: 'What the hell have I signed up for?'

Challenge: Schapelle added that she had no idea just how gruelling Dancing with the Stars would be and once thought to herself: ‘What the hell have I signed up for?’

She's got the moves: Schapelle performed the Viennese waltz with her dance partner Shae Mountain (left) on Sunday's episode of DWTS, and left the judges pleasantly surprised

She’s got the moves: Schapelle performed the Viennese waltz with her dance partner Shae Mountain (left) on Sunday’s episode of DWTS, and left the judges pleasantly surprised

Many viewers were impressed by her performance, with one sharing on Twitter: ‘Schapelle looks absolutely stunning and danced beautifully!’ 

Before hitting the dance floor, Schapelle said in a piece to camera that she wanted to give the competition her all.

‘My hopes for this season of Dancing with the Stars is to make it to the end, and also lose some weight,’ she said.

‘My fear is to be knocked out, and I’m up against the All Stars. I have had a tough decade and I’m here to really experience it.’

'My fear is to be knocked out': Before hitting the dance floor, Schapelle said in a piece to camera that she wanted to give the competition her all

‘My fear is to be knocked out’: Before hitting the dance floor, Schapelle said in a piece to camera that she wanted to give the competition her all

In October 2004, Schapelle became a household name when she was arrested at Bali airport with 4.2kg of cannabis wrapped in plastic inside her boogie board bag.

The world watched in May 2005 as she broke down in the Denpasar courtroom after being sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in Kerobokan Prison.

Following a series of sentence reductions, Schapelle was released on parole in February 2014, having served nine years behind bars. 

TV debut: Schapelle made a brief appearance on the first season of SAS Australia last year

TV debut: Schapelle made a brief appearance on the first season of SAS Australia last year

She lived in Bali with family until she was deported back to Australia in May 2017.

The former beautician has always denied knowingly importing drugs and maintains the marijuana was planted in her luggage by corrupt baggage handlers.

Dancing with the Stars: All Stars continues Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel Seven

Conviction: In October 2004, Schapelle became a household name when she was arrested at Bali airport with 4.2kg of cannabis wrapped in plastic inside her boogie board bag. She was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment In May 2005, but only served nine years behind bars

Conviction: In October 2004, Schapelle became a household name when she was arrested at Bali airport with 4.2kg of cannabis wrapped in plastic inside her boogie board bag. She was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment In May 2005, but only served nine years behind bars