Alexa PenaVega admits she was 'a little mean' to 'Dancing with the Stars' partner to protect her marriage
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Alexa PenaVega recently opened up about the challenges she faced competing in 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 21 alongside her husband, Carlos PenaVega. They were the first married couple to compete on the show.
Speaking candidly on Cheryl Burke’s 'Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans' podcast on Monday, November 4, the 'Spy Kids' star revealed that the closeness required between dance partners caused some tension in their relationship.
Alexa and Carlos PenaVega set up boundaries while competing in 'DWTS' to protect their marriage
Alexa PenaVega shared, "It was early in our marriage, and we literally said [to each other that] we don’t know how spouses do this show without doing it the way we did. We fully understood the dynamics of the show."
Alexa and Carlos got engaged in 2013 and tied the knot in January 2014 in Mexico.
She described how difficult it would have been if the roles were reversed, with Carlos dancing closely with another woman. "If Carlos was doing this and I was watching this girl dance with him all close and the rehearsals or whatever, it would be so hard. It is incredibly flirty," admitted the 36-year-old.
Carlos apparently struggled with the situation, despite understanding the show’s dynamics.
"And for Carlos, at that season of his life, he was such a jealous man that even though he understood the dynamic, it was still hard for him," revealed Alexa, noting that the flirtatious nature of the show only added to the stress. "You know how it is: It is incredibly flirty."
To protect their marriage and avoid jealousy, Alexa and Carlos set clear boundaries with their respective dance partners, Mark Ballas and Witney Carson, as per the Independent.
"We set boundaries with our partners. Like, if it was ever flirty, I’d just be, like, 'I don’t do that,'" explained Alexa, adding, "So, I love Mark. We got along great. But, like, if it was ever flirty, I’d just be, like, ‘I don’t do that.’ I was a little mean, but it was only to set good boundaries."
The mother of three also pointed out that they made it clear to their dance partners that their marriage came first.
"But I know it was really kind of rocky for everybody because when we went on the show, we literally said, 'Look, we’re a married couple. You guys are our partners, and we are so excited to team up with you, but that doesn’t mean we ditch our marriage and this becomes our number one. Our marriage is still first,'" stated Alexa.
Alexa PenaVega reflects on the highs and lows of 'Dancing with the Stars'
Despite the personal challenges, Alexa PenaVega expressed her love for the show’s concept.
She said, "I love the concept of the show," while acknowledging that it was not without its difficulties. "It was as difficult as it was fun because there were really, really high highs."
Alexa's journey on 'Dancing with the Stars' ended when she was eliminated in Week Nine of Season 21. Carlos, her husband, was eliminated just two weeks later.
Bindi Irwin, the daughter of conservationist Steve Irwin, and her partner, Derek Hough, went on to win 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 21.
The popular dance reality show is currently in its 33rd season, and 'Dancing with the Stars' will celebrate its 500th episode on November 12, marking another milestone in the long-running competition.
