Selma Blair shares why it is 'so powerful' for her to compete on season 31 of 'Dancing with the Stars'
"I'm grabbing at every joy we have in life."
Selma Blair is opening up on what the opportunity to compete on season 31 of "Dancing With the Stars" means to her.
While appearing on "Good Morning America" Thursday, the actress, 50, spoke about how excited she is to join the dance competition show after facing life-changing health struggles since her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2018.
"I'm beyond thrilled," she said in a group interview alongside some of her fellow competitors. "I'm [here] with perspective and coming back and realizing the support of people when you try -- it's changed my life."
"This is so powerful to me," she added.
'Dancing With the Stars'
"Dancing With the Stars," hosted by Tyra Banks and Alfonso Ribeiro, premieres Sept. 19 on Disney+.
The actress also shared what she hopes to take away from the upcoming season: "I am thrilled to learn how to move my body better right now, I am thrilled to have support, be here -- have camaraderie," she said. "I cannot believe that I am ready in my life to do this. I am so excited."
Blair revealed in an Instagram post in October 2018 that she had been diagnosed with MS, a chronic disorder in which cells from the immune system attack the central nervous system. She said she received her diagnosis in August 2018.
The actress spoke about her battle with the chronic disease and how it's changed her life in a 2021 documentary, "Introducing, Selma Blair," the same year she said she was in remission after undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
Blair said on "GMA" that she is "feeling good" now and is ready to compete.
"I'm really happy -- to really do things that are pushing stamina and being visible," she said. "I'm grabbing at every joy we have in life."
I cannot believe that I am ready in my life to do this.
The actress, who will partner with Sasha Farber for season 31, also shared what she believes will be some of her biggest challenges while competing.
"The truth is when I am trying new things I get a lot of spasticity, dystonia ... and I am okay," she said. "This is a process of me getting out and moving."
"I am really nervous if I lose my partner's touch," she continued. "I am used to having a counterbalance of my dog or a cane or at home my abilities are much more seamless than out and about, so this is this is a bit of a flop sweat."
Blair says she has no dance experience going into the competition but promised, "I'm gonna really work my best."
Check out the full season 31 celebrity cast of "Dancing with the Stars" here.
Check out the full list of celebrity-pro pairs here.
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