After spending her entire life in Texas, shes packing up everything she owns to make a huge change.
But as the show goes on, Kalinas personal struggles as part of the team start to show.
My depression, like, it turns into this bad cycle, Kalina told the cameras.
Courtesy of Netflix
And as a dancer, the hardest thing you’re free to fight are eating disorders plus depression.
I was questioning and doubting myself.
But then, she watched the series and began to hear from others with similar struggles.
Victoria Kalina on America’s Sweethearts.
The positive reactions from viewers, she says, has been more powerful than she could have imagined.
Shes now glad that she decided to just be herself.
I wanted to promise myself to be fully honest with who I am.
Victoria and Tina Kalina.
But by the end of the episode, Kalina delivers a shocking plot twist.
Shes hanging up her boots after all.
I was fully ready to step into season five for my veteran year, she says.
I had my audition song ready to go.
I had my trip planned for choreography.
I had everything set and ready.
I had my costume designed.
It was all on track.
That conversation, it just hit me like a bullet I wasn’t expecting.
I feel like I got blindsided by that conversation, honestly.
She took some time to think it over, and then made the decision.
I took the weekend to process, she says.
You never want to react to something too soon.
That conversation was so painful that Kalina says it still reverberates in her life.
Kalina then faced an even bigger question.
After achieving her lifes dream at such a young age, what was next?
She settled on one goal: continuing her dance career in New York.
When youre a dancer, youre always wanting to be a Rockette.
More than anything, Kalina is excited to live her life on her own terms.
Its definitely going to be different, but I seriously cannot wait.
Also on the agenda?
Im excited to date, she divulges.
So my whole life I dated DCC.
Kalina, however, is hopeful that the team is open to change.
Their organization is special in the way they make tradition super important, she says.
However, we do see that growth.
Even from when my mom cheered in the 80s, we see that theres been change.
Theres been more pay, and theres been more publicity.
Theres been a CMT show.
But I think its going to eventually change just with time.
Shes also just as invested in the selection process for the 2024 team as we all now are.
I loved Charly and her talent.
Being on the sidelines now, months after she hung up her pom poms, just feels right.
I feel as though I am right where I am supposed to be, she says.
New York City and everything that has come together so far has been just so smooth.
Its meant to be.
