Vito Coppola, a professional dancer on the BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing," has revealed a significant personal battle with bulimia, an eating disorder he described as "serious and potentially life-threatening" during his teenage years. The dancer shared that the competitive and often toxic environment of professional dancing contributed to his struggles.
Coppola, 33, explained that he felt immense pressure to maintain a specific physique, facing criticism from judges regarding his body shape. This pressure, he said, led to unhealthy behaviors.
A Health Crisis
The dancer recounted an incident in his early twenties where he collapsed during a performance of the jive while competing at the World Championships in Canada. He attributed this collapse to a lack of energy, a consequence of his disordered eating.
"I fainted during the jive because I had no energy," Coppola stated. "You push yourself but being strong means stepping away from a situation that is toxic and is damaging you. I’ve never gone back [to dangerous eating disorders]."
He confessed to purging his food for several months, experiencing feelings of shame and self-betrayal. "I felt not clean and I didn’t have much love for myself," he said.
Coppola's family was initially unaware of the extent of his struggles. His mother reportedly realized something was wrong when food parcels she sent him were consistently uneaten. "I felt guilty because my family were so worried about me but they didn’t know what was really going on. They didn’t know I had a problem," he shared.
Recovery and New Beginnings
In the years since his recovery, Coppola has cultivated a healthier relationship with food and has gained recognition for his culinary skills. In 2024, he won "Celebrity MasterChef," impressing judges with his Italian-inspired dishes. He called food "life" and his "first love."
Coppola is set to return for the upcoming season of "Strictly Come Dancing" in September. His comments come amidst significant changes to the professional dancer lineup for the show, with several long-standing professionals departing.
Reflecting on his role in "Strictly," Coppola described the show as a "second family" and a significant reason for his move to the UK, helping him to recreate a familiar environment.