FORMER Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede has revealed how doing Dancing With The Stars could be helping her lifelong battle with sickle cell disease.
The 25-year-old previously revealed how she needed permission from her doctors to sign up for the dance show because of an undisclosed illness but finally spoke out after Sunday’s show to name the condition.
She underwent treatment in hospital for her condition last November[/caption]
Aishah was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth[/caption]
Aishah told The Irish Sun: “Opening up on national TV is not an easy thing to do.
“I didn’t expect to do it but I’m happy that sharing my story is going to help people and it has already.
“Sickle cell disease is not something I speak about and there are a few reasons why.
“Number one, I don’t want people to look at me as my illness. I want people to look at me as Aishah, who has done this, done that, who has helped these people, supported these people.
“The second reason is, I’ll be honest, I don’t have the exact same experience other people with sickle cell have.”
The Kildare woman underwent treatment in hospital for her condition as recently as last November.
And she explained: “I am lucky to have a high haemoglobin F, I’m getting a bit scientific right now, but this kind of sickle cell usually presents in people from the Middle East, but obviously I’m African, so it’s quite rare.
“There are a lot of people who have passed away that I know or who have had to get bone marrow surgery because of how serious their health disorder has become but I have been lucky all these years.”
While the former beauty queen had been worried taking part in the RTE show could worsen her condition, she added: “There’s no way in hell I was going to turn that down”.
She said she was thrilled to find out that her hectic dance schedule had her “levels being through the roof” and was impressing doctors”.
Law graduate Aishah, who was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth, dedicated her dance last Sunday night to her mum Kemi who she said was a pillar of support throughout her life.
She said: “She cares a lot, and makes sure I am doing okay. She has a lot of knowledge about the condition”.
Aishah and dance partner Robert Rowiński scored a total of 31 points on Sunday’s show for an African-inspired Samba.
Judge Loraine Barry told them: “When you take on the Samba you take on all the rhythms. That wasn’t enough for you, you added in your Nigerian roots.
GLITTERBALL STARS – ALL THE DWTS WINNERS
SERIES ONE – 2017: Former Kerry footballer Aidan O’Mahony beat the odds to be crowned Ireland’s first-ever Dancing With The Stars champion alongside pro partner Valeria Milova, beating out former Fair City star Aoibhin Garrihy and Red Rock actress Denise McCormack.
SERIES TWO – 2018: Singer Jake Carter – the younger brother of country crooner Nathan – was just 19 when he nabbed the Glitterball in 2018 with pro dancer Karen Byrne. And the dance partnership later blossomed into love for the popular pair, who confirmed they were dating months after their big win.
SERIES THREE – 2019: Popular presenter Mairead Ronan became the first female winner, landing the Glitterball with Kilkenny dancer John Nolan in 2019. The mum-of-three said her victory was proof “you can do anything you put your mind to”.
SERIES FOUR – 2020: The 2020 series finale was brought forward due to the outbreak of Covid-19, with 2FM star Lottie Ryan left in tears at clinching the trophy with pro partner Pasquale La Rocca.
SERIES FIVE – 2022: Returning to screens in 2022 after a year off in 2021 due to the continuing coronavirus crisis, ex-jockey Nina Carberry became the third woman on the trot to win the Glitterball, marking a second title for pro Pasquale.
SERIES SIX – 2023: RTE 2FM star Carl Mullan was left stunned back in 2023 when he lifted the Glitterball with pro Emily Barker. The underdog came out on top against fellow finalists Brooke Scullion, Suzanne Jackson and Damien McGinty.
SERIES SEVEN – 2024: Paralympian Jason Smyth came out on top as the 2024 series winner, with pro Karen Byrne becoming the second dancer to win the DWTS title twice. The legally blind athlete moved viewers to tears with an emotional showdance to secure the title.
“It was wonderful for all of us to see, and to be educated too. A shimmying delight!”
Karen Byrne added: “The sass on that from the beginning. I think we all wanted to get up and join you. Well done!”
Dancing With The Stars continues on RTE One next Sunday with the first dance off.
However Olympian Jack Woolley, has immunity after topping the scoreboard with 38 points last Sunday.
Aishah was crowned Miss Universe Ireland 2023[/caption]
