Comedian Matan Peretz Dedicates Emotional Dance to Sister After Stillbirth

In the second episode of Israel's "Dancing with the Stars" on Keshet 12, comedian Matan Peretz shared a deeply personal story behind his dance performance. Peretz dedicated his emotional dance, performed with partner Elinor Gershfeld to the song "Roni," to his sister who experienced a stillbirth. The heartfelt tribute moved the audience and his sister, who was present, to tears.

Peretz explained that he had consulted with his sister before revealing the painful family story publicly. She expressed support, emphasizing the importance of discussing stillbirths openly, especially on such a prominent platform. His sister said, "This is bigger than me... I realized how many mothers go through this, and this is the biggest stage in the country to talk about it."

Stillbirths, which occur around 700 times annually in Israel, are rarely discussed publicly. Peretz's decision to share his family's experience on a popular show contributes to raising awareness and supporting others facing similar losses. His sister described the dance as a meaningful gift, saying, "You succeeded. Champion."

This emotional moment followed Peretz's challenging start to the season, where he received the lowest score in the show's history from judge David Dvir. The harsh criticism sparked controversy and a live defense from fellow judges Haim Pashtan and Anna Aronov.

The episode also aligns with recent public conversations about stillbirths, including actress Shira Levy's story of loss and subsequent birth, highlighting the need for greater openness about this painful issue.