The Showgirl from “Survivor: Palau”
Janu Tornell left a career with "Folies Bergère" at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas to vie for the million-dollar prize on "Survivor: Palau." She took with her a dancer's strength, stamina and competitive spirit. Although she didn't win the money, she gained something of value - one of life's lessons that make every subsequent endeavor a winning proposition: it's not about the result; it's about the journey.
A second-generation showgirl (her mother was a showgirl in Cuba), Janu's foray into dance started in Las Vegas. "I started dance training when I was nine years old. I studied ballet, tap and jazz. Then when I was in college at UNLV, I auditioned for the college dance company. During my audition, I twisted my ankle after doing a jeté and continued to finish my audition. Despite my horrible audition with a hurt ankle, my tenacity showed the instructors that I was capable and I made it." Shortly thereafter, however, an accident temporarily sidelined her dance career and she headed to Los Angeles to pursue modeling. But Las Vegas was "home" and, time and again, she found herself pulled back.
"I started dancing professionally at the 'Folies Bergère' at the Tropicana Resort in May of 1995. I was living in Los Angeles, had come home to Vegas to do a fashion show for Oscar de la Renta and a friend of mine who used to work there told me they were looking for someone...I decided to audition for the Folies and if chosen, I would move back to Las Vegas for a short time."
That's how, several years later, she found herself watching "Survivor" in the dressing room between shows. Although one of her friends was urged to audition, it was Janu who spoke up. "When I shouted out that I would do it, many of them said 'No, you are too skinny; you will never make it, let alone get picked...' I suppose the idea of being told 'No, you can't,' stayed in the back of my mind and time passed. Then last year, in May, I decided to audition. I made a tape with the help of my friends...and they chose me for 'Survivor: Palau' tenth season. So, even though I enjoyed nine and a half years at the Folies, I could not give up the chance to do 'Survivor,' and it was one of my best moves ever. An exper-ience of a lifetime."
"Funny enough, I really thought I was strong enough to do this game, and in essence I was until a certain point. Stamina, and the dealing with different personalities, I was sure would be my strong advantages. However, 'Survivor,' and all that it entails, is a whole different stage. I did the best I could for as long as I could. But after twenty-seven days, I took myself out of the game due to being constantly sick, and having lost so much weight...I thought I would be okay, but I lost quite a few pounds - fourteen to be exact, and I lost much of my strength with that weight loss. Then, even though it is obvious that 'SURVIVOR' is a 'game' and you must do what you need to to get ahead, I had a hard time with compromising integrity in order to get ahead."
"At the end, after having been exiled by myself to a remote island, and having had to make fire by myself, I had a beautiful evening by myself, where a lot of things came full circle for me. I knew I was ready and completely satisfied from my experience and that it was time to get out." Meant to be punishment for losing a challenge, her soul-searching exile was a revelatory experience.
Once off the island, Janu contemplated her career options but didn't think a return to "Folies Bergère" was plausible. "I had not planned on going back once I left in October of 2004 to do 'SURVIVOR.' I figured I was retiring and that after 'Survivor' I would do something else. Instead, I was asked to come back...I don't think I have suffered anything from this time off. On the contrary - the back, the neck and my beloved bunions...have very well enjoyed the break."
"My words of wisdom for young dancers, and anyone, would be to take every opportunity you can if possible. Nothing is unattainable if you are tenacious and believe in yourself. Enjoy every situation you are faced with, whether it is difficult or not. Make sure you continue your education just in case you do get injured and you cannot dance any longer. At least you have another career to fall back on, because the dance world is not forever. And have no regrets." It's not about the result; it's about the journey.