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Season 2 of ‘Stars on the Floor’ kicks off with P-Pop crossovers and personal growth for its host
What started out as a skill award-winning actor Alden Richards was told he “had to have,” is now a full-bodied expression of joy, storytelling, and connection — not just for the camera, but for real life. As he returns this February to anchor the second season of the GMA Network’s original dance contest, “Stars on the Floor,” Alden opens up about how the show has reshaped his relationship with dance, the stage, and even his approach to hustings.
“I really trained for it when I was younger,” Alden recalled in a pocket interview at GMA Studio 6. “When you want to be in this industry, you’re expected to do everything — act, sing, dance. So I learned to dance because it was a skill I needed. But this show — it has given me a deeper meaning for the art of dance. I started looking at it not just as something to perform, but as a way to tell a story, to share something of yourself with your audience.”
Dance, he says, has become more than just a polished routine; it’s now a form of communication, and sometimes, of release. He admits that even outside of work, he finds himself dancing “to make moments with my family more memorable.”
“I think that’s how dance can be incorporated in our daily lives,” he shared. “We all have those moments — we dance alone, we dance with someone special, or when we’re sad. And that’s what makes it so universal.”
The idea of movement as memory is especially true for Alden when he’s with family. “Whenever I’m with my sisters, sometimes I initiate the dancing,” he said, recalling clips he’s shared on social media. “But when we do that, it’s not just for the audience anymore — it’s something we do to make our bonding extra special,”
It’s this same authenticity that makes Alden such an effective host on “Stars on the Floor.” While hosting wasn’t his original path, his time on “Eat Bulaga” and later GMA shows gradually revealed a talent he never expected to enjoy this much.
“I think being able to connect the dancers to the dance authority, and then both to the audience, is such a fulfilling job,” he said. “After every episode, I feel like I’ve learned something — not just about the performers, but about the art itself. And that’s what makes this the best show I’ve hosted so far.”
That evolution continues into the new season of “Stars on the Floor,” which Alden teased will feature duos composed of celebrity dance stars paired with P-Pop group leaders. While he stopped short of naming the idols who’ve been invited, he emphasized the team’s excitement to bring two passionate dance worlds together on one stage.
“So many of our celebrity dancers are already deeply familiar with dance,” he said, “and now we’re pairing them with P-Pop leaders who are equally immersed in movement. The goal is to give them a platform to showcase their talent and maybe reach new audiences in the process.”
Joining Alden this season are returning Dance Authority judges Marian Rivera and Coach Jay, with Rayver Cruz stepping in as the newest member of the panel.
Rayver — whose own brother Rodjun Cruz won the first season alongside South Korean personality Dasuri Choi — was quick to express his excitement.
“Dancing has always been my first love,” he shared. “So this is a dream come true for me — to finally be part of a show where I get to witness and guide this kind of talent.”
For Coach Jay, who’s best known as the choreographer behind SB19’s explosive signature dance moves, the show is both a test and a triumph of heart.
“There are so many good dancers out there,” he said, “but the ones who make it are the ones who keep going despite hardships. It’s not just about skill — it’s about who’s ready to fight for it.”
The sense of community and mutual growth isn’t lost on Alden either. Reflecting on last season, he said he was blown away by fellow Kapuso artist Glyza de Castro’s transformation on the dance floor.
“Every time she performed, I looked forward to it. She just kept getting better,” he said. “And that’s the magic of this show — it brings out the best in people.”
As “Stars on the Floor” Season 2 kicks off on February 15, Alden hopes viewers will see the same spark that he and his co-hosts do every week.
“This show really did well last year, and we promise we’re not going to let you down this time either,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of twists and turns — but more than that, a lot of heart.”
And if dance really is a form of storytelling, Alden Richards has only just begun to choreograph his next chapter. (T. Mauricio-Arriola/ Manila Times )
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