Janette Manrara, best known for her time as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, 

has been seen breaking down in tears as she shared an emotional update with her fans. 

The television personality and performer recently revealed that she had to say a heartfelt goodbye to her daughter, Lyra, as she embarked on a new chapter in her career.

The 40-year-old dancer is stepping into a major new role as she makes her stage debut in the classic musical Chicago. 

Janette has taken on the lead role of Roxie Hart as part of the show’s UK tour, marking a significant milestone in her career. 

However, the excitement of this new opportunity comes with an emotional cost, as she faces time away from her family.

A Bittersweet Moment for Janette

Manrara officially made her debut in the role on March 3, following the departure of former Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes. Her first performance was an emotional one, as she was surrounded by loved ones, including her husband, fellow Strictly star Aljaž Škorjanec.

Sharing a heartfelt moment on Instagram, Janette posted a touching picture of herself with Aljaž in her dressing room, which was adorned with flowers and cards from supportive friends. In the caption, she expressed her gratitude for those who had shown up to support her, saying:

“Wow. No words for last night. The icing on the cake would have been to have my family here to watch, but friends are also the family we choose. Thank you for coming to support me, Bučko (@aljazskorjanec), and also to my agents and beautiful friends. My heart felt so full of love. What a beautiful tribe I have surrounding me.”

Despite the joy of her opening night, Janette soon faced one of the toughest moments of her journey—saying goodbye to her one-year-old daughter, Lyra, and her husband as they temporarily parted ways.

Emotional Farewell to Her Family

Janette took to her Instagram Stories on March 10 to share an emotional update with her followers. In a candid video, the dancer was visibly moved as she wiped away tears while explaining that she had just said goodbye to Aljaž and Lyra.

“Hi gang, just said my goodbyes to Aljaž and Lyra, and I won’t see them for two weeks now. But, sharing is good because it makes us all feel better.”

She went on to express how difficult this separation would be, as it marks the longest period she has spent away from her daughter since her birth in July 2023.

“I’m going to miss them a lot. It’s the longest I’ll be away from Lyra, so I’m starting the countdown until the day I see her again. But in the meantime, I’m going to stay strong and know that Mommy is making her proud. She’s going to have the best time with her cousins and Nan in Slovenia.”

A Message of Strength to Other Parents

Janette’s emotional message resonated with many working parents who face similar challenges of being away from their children due to work commitments. In a bid to offer encouragement, she added:

“To all the parents that have to say goodbye to their kids for work or whatever reason, it’s always tough, but we’ve got this. We’ve got it!”

She later accompanied the video with a written message, reinforcing her sentiments:

“It always makes me feel better to share. Hope this also helps other working parents out there. It’s hard, but we got this!”

Janette’s openness about the difficulties of balancing a thriving career with motherhood has been met with an outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities. Many took to social media to offer their encouragement, with messages praising her for her honesty and strength.

Embracing the Journey Ahead

Although the separation is undoubtedly tough, Janette is embracing her new role with enthusiasm. Playing Roxie Hart is a dream come true for the star, and she is determined to make the most of this incredible opportunity while continuing to be the best mother she can be.

As she embarks on this exciting journey, Janette’s words serve as a reminder that while balancing work and family can be challenging, it is possible to pursue one’s dreams while staying connected to loved ones. Her resilience and heartfelt message have struck a chord with many, proving once again why she is such a beloved figure in the entertainment world.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.