From the loss of his son to an autoimmune disease, Carlinhos de Jesus talks about the support found in dance: ‘It supported me’

Until last month, Carlinhos de Jesus’ medical team found it hard to predict that he would be on the cover of Canal Extra standing up. The 72-year-old dancer has an autoimmune disease that causes intense pain in his hip and glutes, leaving him, at least for now, with no movement in his right leg. However, none of this stopped him from striking poses, walking, twirling… and even giving his team a scare. During a half-hour photo shoot, he wobbled. But he regained his balance without needing assistance. He wanted to resist a few more clicks. And let it be clear: it was not under the rain or on slippery ground! The rainfall in the images is the result of the use of artificial intelligence (what is fake stops there). Nevertheless, before the doctors who read us here condemn us, the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ judge warns: ‘I am very rebellious. I think that’s why I’m walking so fast. I was preparing for this not to happen. Even my doctor said she didn’t know if it would happen. Initially, this brought me down a lot. I have always been independent and suddenly, I found myself needing help all the time. In the hospital, to avoid waking up my wife (Rachel, whom I have been married to for 40 years), I secretly got up to go to the bathroom and held onto that IV pole. Until one day I fell and she noticed. It was only once. But audacity has always been a part of me,’ says Carlinhos.