Julian Benson

Julian Benson
Born
Julian Benson

(1971-02-26) 26 February 1971 (age 53)
Adelaide, Australia
Occupation(s)Talent agent, dancer, choreographer, Dancing with the Stars judge

Julian Benson (born 26 February 1971) is a talent agent, choreographer and is also known for his role as a former judge on the RTÉ One series, Dancing with the Stars.

Early life

Julian Benson was born in Adelaide, Australia where he did his formative dance training. He and his family moved to Ireland when Julian was twelve years old.[1]

Professional dance career

Benson studied in University College Dublin obtaining a degree in English and Psychology, before studying for two years in Paris. He would eventually become the Head of Dance in Trinity College Dublin.[2]

As a choreographer, Benson has produced many productions including The Nutcracker with the Scottish Ballet.[3]

Talent agency

Benson runs Julian Benson Management. A talent agency for television presenters and actors. Some of his clients include Boyzone member Mikey Graham, Fair City actors Maclean Burke and Donna Anita Nikolaisen, and television presenter, Eoghan McDermott whom Benson regards as one of his best friends.[4][5]

Media career

From 2017 to 2020, Benson was a judge on the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars for RTÉ One alongside Loraine Barry and Brian Redmond.[6] In 2020, Benson left the panel and was replaced by Arthur Gourounlian.[7]

Personal life

Benson was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of two and was given a life expectancy of thirteen years. Benson kept his diagnosis private for over forty years before revealing it in an interview with Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show.[8][9]

In 2018, Benson launched the Julian Benson CF Foundation, an organisation fighting to help those with cystic fibrosis.[10] On 8 December 2018, the foundation had a charity ball in order to raise funds. It was hosted by Eoghan McDermott and attended by a number of Irish celebrities.[11][12]

Benson is a fluent Irish language speaker.

Benson is openly gay.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Dancing With The Stars' Julian Benson on how not even CF could stop him from dancing". Independent.ie. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Julian Benson – Creator/Director". Celtic Rising The Show; JBM; Julian Benson Management. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Julian Benson Knows 'The A-Z of Getting An Agent', Seminar 13th August | The Irish Film & Television Network". www.iftn.ie. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  4. ^ "JBM » Eoghan McDermot". julianbensonmanagement.com. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Eoghan McDermott on Instagram: "On Friday night one of my best friends and great mentors told the nation that he has been battling cystic fibrosis since he was a kid. He…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Judges announced for RTÉ's Dancing with the Stars". RTE. 3 January 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Dancing with the Stars judge Julian to miss shows due to illness". www.irishexaminer.com. 17 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  8. ^ Byrne, Nicola. "Julian Benson won over Late Late Show viewers with his frank and positive chat about life with CF". The Daily Edge. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  9. ^ "'I have CF, it doesn't have me': Julian Benson moved Late Late Show viewers with Cystic Fibrosis story". www.irishexaminer.com. 24 March 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  10. ^ "Julian Benson CF Foundation". Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  11. ^ Hyl, Claire (10 December 2018). "PICS: The Stars Donned Their Glad Rags At The Julian Benson Ball". EVOKE.ie. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  12. ^ "Social Diary: Julian Benson CF Foundation Winter Wonderland Gala Ball". IndulgeMe. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  13. ^ Monaghan, Gabrielle (20 January 2013). "Time gentlemen please as gay bars close their doors". The Sunday Times. ISSN 0956-1382. Retrieved 21 February 2019.