Dancing With The Stars’ Paulini Curuenavuli reveals her new romance with her ‘bodyguard’

Former Australian Idol star Paulini Curuenavuli has revealed she’s enjoying a new romance with a mystery man and could not be happier.

The 40-year-old, who is currently appearing on Dancing With The Stars, said while she was open to appearing on other reality programs, her new relationship ruled out dating shows.

‘He’s the big handsome guy cheering me on in the audience, basically my bodyguard. I’m very happy,’ she told Woman’s Day magazine.

She also admitted she’s sick of talking about judge Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson fat shaming her over a gold dress she wore on Australian Idol back in 2003.

The reality star said she was surprised when she was provided with a similar looking frock on Dancing With The Stars – but decided to be a good sport and just go with it.

She also admitted she’s sick of talking about judge Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson fat shaming her over the famous gold dress she wore on Australian Idol back in 2003 

‘I am so tired of talking about the gold dress. I am sick of it, if it was up to me, I would never, ever wear a gold dress again,’ she said. 

The Fijian born star added another important man in her life at the moment was her DWTS partner Igor Ifliand.

‘Being on the show was a massive shock to the system. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I’d have gotten as far as I did,’ she said. 

Paulini rose to fame as a contestant on the first season of Australian Idol, and was left stunned after judge Dicko humiliated her on national TV.

She was just 21 at the time, and had chosen to perform her song in a show-stopping gold dress. 

In the shocking episode, Dicko told Paulini to ‘choose more appropriate clothing and shed some pounds’, prompting a wave of outrage. 

The Fijian born star added another important man in her life at the moment was her DWTS partner Igor 

‘When Dicko made that comment it was kind of like a wake-up call. What he said to me was hurtful, it made me think, the music industry is about every aspect of your life,’ she told Daily Mail Australia recently. 

‘You’ve gotta look after yourself physically and you’ve got to make sure you look good,’ she continued.

Although twenty years have passed since that fateful night, the singer admits her confidence took a lengthy blow that took a long time to recover from. 

However, Paulini went on to explain that after reaching her milestone 40th birthday in October, she is now more confident than ever.

Paulini rose to fame as a contestant on the first season of Australian Idol, and was left stunned after judge Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson humiliated her on national TV