The reality TV landscape is lush with hugely popular health and weight-loss shows, but none have seemed like so much fun as the Oxygen Network’s Dance Your Ass Off. Despite criticism that it exploited and created a spectacle of larger people, the cast has defended the show as an immensely positive experience. And no one seemed to enjoy themselves more than the gorgeous Mara Hall, who made it to the top five. But the show wasn’t just a game for her. Mara lost her brother to diabetes, and she’s been on a crusade to bring awareness to the disease—and how a healthier lifestyle can prevent it—ever since. We sat down with her during a recent photo shoot to hear what she had to say about that fight, her personal struggles with food addiction, her DYAO experience, and, certainly, feeling fabulous in Torrid.
What was the first thing you bought from Torrid?
Z. Cavaricci jeans. I absolutely heart Torrid! Torrid saved my life. Hello Kitty completes me.
Did you ever want to be on a reality show before DYAO?
Actually, yes. I saw reality shows that related to me directly. The first one was Monique’s Fat Chance. I auditioned for that and I was almost chosen. Then I tried out for The Biggest Loser because I’m diabetic and I wanted to lose weight. I got very close to being picked for that. The next show I tried for was Dance Machine, which was more like a game show. When Dance Your Ass Off came into play, it was a no-brainer: you can dance and lose weight at the same time. I was like, this is the show for me!
What were the highs of your experience? Lows?
For reality TV, just being able to get out there and show who you are and have fun doing it. Me, I’m a confident plus-size woman, and being able to showcase my personality on TV was a great thing. What you see on the show is what you get. [The lows were] not being able to speak to my family and friends. I hated that. I was busy, but it was hard when there were situations and you couldn’t talk to anybody. We had to rely on each other, the cast members. We became a little family.
Who ended up being your best friends from the show?
Shayla, Pinky, and Ruben.
A lot of reality TV is actually scripted. Was DYAO that way or was it really you on the show?
It was me. I feel that I was well represented on the show. I made a choice to make sure everything I did and said was representative of who Mara is. I wanted to make sure that I was shown in the best light possible, so I put my best foot forward. Made sure that the things I said were tactful. I’m a firm believer in treating people the way I want to be treated: with respect. That’s how I approached the show.
Has being on the show opened any doors for you?
I didn’t do the show for that. I did it to really take control of my diabetes, and I’ve done that. If I could see anything happen, I’d like to be an ambassador for diabetics all around the country, to show people how to gain control of their lives. Initially, it was just about me trying to get healthy, but as people started giving us feedback on the blogs, they were saying how much of an inspiration we are. I’m actually selling all of my clothes from the show on eBay. The proceeds are going to the American Diabetes Association. I think DYAO has changed my life for the [better]. For me, to be able to take control of diabetes has been awesome.
What would you say to someone who wants to be on a reality show?
[Laughs] What would I say? Expect the unexpected. Be flexible and stay true to yourself. The worst thing people do is sell their souls away just to get five minutes on TV.
Did the show ask you to do anything you didn’t want to do?
No, this was a heartfelt show, a show that was really positive.
