Reality TV contestant Leyla Lahouar, 28, recently became the jungle princess champion on the show "Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!" but faced significant challenges as she transitioned to another popular series, "Let’s Dance." Unfortunately, her participation was cut short when illness forced her to withdraw after performing only twice with her dance partner Sergiu Maruster, 32.
During her brief time on the dance floor, the pair struggled to impress the judges, scoring just 11 points with their Slowfox dance before departing from the show. Leyla's leave stems from health complications, illustrating how unpredictable and intense competition can be on such reality shows.
While Leyla Lahouar faced her own set of difficulties, she wasn't the sole contestant dealing with issues this season. Paola Maria, another participant and popular content creator, also had her dance dreams interrupted by illness—a severe flu, to be exact. She was unable to perform during the third live show of "Let’s Dance" on March 14, 2025, leaving fans uncertain about her comeback.
Paola Maria shared her feelings about missing the show, stating she was "unendlich traurig" (infinitely sad) due to her fever, which left her bedridden. She reported having been prescribed antibiotics to aid her recovery. On social media, RTL revealed her doctor advised her to take time off from sports and physical activities, including the demanding training required for the dance competition.
Despite these challenges, Paola Maria defied the odds and is making her return sooner than expected. After overcoming her illness, she resumed training with her dance partner Massimo Sinató. The couple demonstrated resilience and enthusiasm as they prepared for the fourth show. Sinató humorously referred to her as his "Bazillenschleuder" (little germ machine), highlighting the camaraderie and light-hearted spirit of the show. His excitement for her return was clear: "Wir haben dich alle vermisst, schön, dass du wieder da bist" (We all missed you, it's great to have you back). Paola echoed this sentiment, expressing, "Ich hab euch auch vermisst, das war komisch ohne euch" (I missed you all too, it was strange without you).
Looking forward, Paola and Massimo will be competing again on March 21, 2025, at 20:15 on RTL, where viewers can enjoy their improved performance after their rigorous training sessions. They have already begun practicing for their upcoming dance, with Massimo sharing updates on his Instagram story about the training sessions they’ve resumed since Sunday, March 16, 2025.
This season of "Let’s Dance" continues to showcase the highs and lows of reality television as contestants battle through not just dance challenges but also personal hardships. Each performance is critiqued by the expert panel of judges, who assign scores ranging from 1 to 10—maximum scores leading to intense competition among contestants.
For fans following the leaderboard, contestants such as Fabian Hambüchen and Jeanette Biedermann are leading with impressive scores. Reviewing the past performances across three shows, we see how contestants like Marie Mouroum and Christine Neubauer rise with solid scores, demonstrating their potential to earn the coveted title of the season’s dance champion.
While Leyla Lahouar has exited the competition for now, her experience highlights the volatility of participating in high-stakes competitions like "Let’s Dance." The balancing act between entertainment and personal well-being will always remain at the forefront for contestants vying for success on stage. Whether it's through applause or challenges, the show captivates viewers, bringing drama and excitement to Sunday nights.
