Exclusive Interview: Kym Johnson-Herjavec Talks ‘Hunting Housewives,’ Being Present in the Moment, Her Pivot into Acting, and More

Kym Johnson-Herjavec has built an illustrious career captivating audiences with her mesmerizing performances on the ballroom floor, enthralling viewers with every elegant movement. Now, she’s set to dazzle on the screen, channeling her unparalleled talent into a new realm of storytelling and entertainment as she stars in Hunting Housewives.

In the film, four friends—Karla Dodds (Denise Richards), Rebel Carron-Whitman (NeNe Leakes), Joli Symons (Kym Johnson Herjavec), and Sharell Bouvier (Melyssa Ford)—head for a much-needed spa retreat weekend away from their husbands, children, and busy schedules when suddenly they find themselves downed in a plane crash. With no knowledge of basic survival, the housewives must use their wits and whatever is in their designer bags.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Kym about Hunting Housewives, how her dance background has lent itself to her work on screen, the importance of being present, and more.

PC: Can you tell us about Hunting Housewives, your character in the film, and what drew you to the project?
Kym: Hunting Housewives is a great, fun movie. It’s about the relationship between these four girls. It’s about us surviving and finding out that we’re a lot stronger than we thought we were.

What drew me to this character was she’s really funny. She loves her girlfriends, and she’s got quite an interesting relationship with her husband. She doesn’t like him, which is very different from me because I actually love my husband.

I also knew Denise [Richards] and NeNe [Leakes] from Dancing with the Stars, so I knew they were doing it, and I was like this is great because we have such a fantastic connection already. That’s what drew me to it as well. Then I got to know Melyssa [Ford], and she’s terrific.

I’m a girl’s girl, so I loved that this movie is about this group of friends that go on this ultimate girls trip that turns out terribly different from what they thought.

PC: You started your career off as a dancer. If you had to describe this film in a dance style, what would it be and why?
Kym: It would be a tango. It has dramatic beats and humor. It’s got all these different emotions in it. It’s about girl power. It’s Survivor meets The Real Housewives.

PC: That’s such a great way to describe it. Have you found that your dancing background has lent itself to your acting or vice versa?
Kym: Definitely. You’re still performing. It’s obviously a very different way of performing. As a dancer, I’m used to rehearsing, practicing, and making sure it’s absolutely perfect. I try to do the same with acting. I learn the script by heart. I knew everybody’s lines.

My acting coach was like, “Don’t do that because this script is going to change. Your lines are going to change the night before.” I was like, “Oh my God.” But that’s what happened. It’s more about reacting to who you’re working with and being present in the moment. It’s very different.

But you’re performing in a different way. I felt like I was entering Denise and Nene’s worlds where they were entering mine on Dancing with the Stars. They were very supportive, and I learned a lot from them.

PC: What I loved about your performance in this film is that you go in with this expectation that these characters are going to be over-the-top and caricatures, but you brought such a groundedness to her. Was that balance something you were mindful of as you were developing this character?
Kym: Definitely. I didn’t want her to be crazy over the top. She’s a princess, but there’s substance to her as well. She wants more out of her life. She doesn’t want to be this housewife going on fancy, fabulous trips; she wants something more than that.

Despite the problems that she’s having with her husband, she’s a great girlfriend. She loves her girls. I love that and I love the relationship that they all have with each other, and the humor in the film as well because it’s quite funny seeing them trying to survive in these elements.

I actually did Celebrity Survivor in Australia many, many, many years ago. I was able to draw on that experience, which I did not like at all. [laughs] That’s how I ended up getting this role because the casting director saw footage of me on YouTube on Survivor. She saw how I was in the elements and thought I’d be good for this role.

PC: Yeah, that sense of humor is so unexpected. How much of that was scripted versus improvised?
Kym: There was quite a bit that was improvised because we knew each other so well, which I loved. This is my first big acting role. I’m used to performing live, so this was perfect because we were actually in the woods with the bugs. It felt real and authentic.

The fact that I know Denise and NeNe made it a lot easier and more natural. We were able to bring different ad libs. That’s the beauty of the film. You’re able to see that connection that we have.

PC: As you were saying earlier, your character has such a beautiful journey throughout the film where she feels like she’s lost control and has had to sacrifice so much in her life, and now she’s ready to take that back. You brought so much depth to that arc. As an actress, how did you create the space for yourself to tackle that emotional and vulnerable space that your character is in?
Kym: It was through working with my acting coach. I like to dissect everything and break down every scene, which is what we did. We created this backstory and tried to get into the whys of every scene.

PC: Your character’s journey is about fighting for herself, which will resonate with so many. Has there been a time in your own life or career that you’ve had to advocate for yourself? Did you channel those moments into your performance?
Kym: Oh yeah. There have been so many, many times, especially as a professional dancer where you’re used to rejection and not getting the gig, and have to go to the next audition. I didn’t start Dancing with the Stars until my late twenties. I had a full career beforehand and worked many, many jobs as a waitress or anything to make ends meet.

I’ve been working since I was fourteen, so I’ve definitely had those hard knocks where you have to advocate for yourself. On Dancing with the Stars, you may get kicked off first and you feel terrible for your celebrity. You feel like you’ve let them down. But you come back the next season and you keep working harder. If you get a bad mark one week, it’s like you go into the studio next day and you’re like we have to rebuild and keep moving forward.

I’ve had those moments. I feel like I’m tackling this new chapter in my career. I’m older, and it wasn’t until later in life that I decided to pivot and transition into a new career, which is scary to do. My husband has been the one that’s been like, “Don’t put limits on yourself. You can do all the things.” That’s been quite freeing and great. I feel like I can show my kids that even though you may feel like you’ve reached your peak, with hard work and determination, you can pivot around.

I’ve been so lucky to get these opportunities because of Dancing with the Stars, and I’m so grateful for that. It’s been really great to make a bit of a pivot and transition. It’s scary but great.

PC: This film is such a celebration of sisterhood, particularly that friendship your character has with Nene’s. Who are the women who have shown up for you in a similar way?
Kym: My mom has been such a great role model. She’s more than just a mom; she’s a friend. She’s always lifted me up, but I’ve got girlfriends that I’ve known since I was three. My dance friends are my best friends. I grew up dancing with them in Australia. I’ve got girlfriends exactly like that. We Zoom all the time if we’re not in the same country. We may not see each other for a year, but then we do, and it’s like nothing has changed. So I have those cool girlfriends that I would do anything for, and I know they’d do the same. I definitely channeled them into that relationship with NeNe’s character.

I also know NeNe so well. I love NeNe from Dancing with the Stars. As soon as we saw each other on set, we immediately started laughing and having fun. It felt very natural and easy. She’s so great. She knows how to deliver a line and has such a great personality.

To keep up with Kym, follow her on Instagram. Hunting Housewives premieres on Saturday, March 9 at 8pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Hitch Photography