Mali Levy Says Dancing Challenge Has Changed Life at Home

Israeli actress Mali Levy says joining "Dancing with the Stars" has been both a personal challenge and a family adjustment. In a mako interview with dancer Dany Yuchtman ahead of the show’s start, Levy said the intense rehearsal schedule has left her away from home much of the day, while her husband, former footballer Shimon Gershon, is now “holding the whole house.” She added that their older children are coping, but the youngest is especially attached to her and was moved to tell her he was “proud” of her.

Levy said she had never danced before, though it had always been a dream. She described Yuchtman as an exceptional partner, but also joked that watching him rehearse makes her feel inadequate. Yuchtman said the two have a rare connection, and Levy said their main friction in rehearsals is technical, especially her tendency to watch his feet instead of following his eyes and movement.

Levy said she welcomes criticism from the judges because this is a new skill, not her acting, and she wants to improve. She noted that this is not her first reality show, after reaching the final of "The Masked Singer" last season, where she competed against Mia Dagan. She joked that the two women had agreed to do all their reality projects together.

Levy also spoke about her son, who recently appeared in a music video for Anna Zak, saying he is more interested in football and insists on being called an athlete. Yuchtman said he has been less publicly visible in recent years, though Levy said she will push him to be more active online. The interview also touched on their past TV connection, including Levy’s role as Amir Benayoun’s mother in the series "The Head," and Levy’s joking suggestion that Yuchtman should eventually move into musical theater.