Cameron Mathison, the well-known actor from General Hospital, recently shared a candid moment from his past experience on the popular reality dance competition, Dancing With the Stars. During a recent episode of Cheryl Burke’s podcast, Mathison opened up about his initial apprehensions regarding his pairing with professional dancer Edyta Śliwińska back in 2007. This revelation came just days before he and his wife, Vanessa, announced their separation after 22 years of marriage.

In the podcast episode aired on July 21, Mathison reflected on the time he was invited to participate in the show. Although he was excited about the opportunity, he had a specific request regarding his dance partner. “I called Dina Katz, who was the casting director at the time, and I said, ‘Listen, I’m so happy that you’ve offered me the show. I can’t wait. Just do me a favor. Put me with anybody but Edyta,’” he recalled. Mathison’s hesitation stemmed from his awareness of his wife’s feelings and the challenges they were facing as a couple at that time.

Mathison admitted that he was aware of Edyta’s stunning looks and the nature of the dance routines they would be performing together. He expressed concern about how spending extensive time with a beautiful partner might affect his marriage. “I knew my wife and I were going through a little bit of a challenge at that time, and Edyta didn’t wear a lot of clothes,” he explained, highlighting his worries about the intimacy that could arise from their rehearsals.

Despite his initial reservations, Mathison ultimately accepted the pairing with Śliwińska and went on to perform well in the competition, finishing in fifth place. He emphasized the importance of building a connection with his partner to achieve the best possible performance. However, he also acknowledged the emotional toll it took on his relationship with his wife. “Vanessa was a trooper,” he said, recognizing the strain that his time spent with Śliwińska put on their marriage.

Balancing his commitments to both Dancing With the Stars and his role in All My Children, which was filmed in New York, created a challenging situation for Mathison. He often found himself traveling back and forth between the two cities, which made it difficult to maintain his family life. “I tried. I did everything in my power to make that as easy for [Vanessa] as possible,” he stated, reflecting on the complexities of managing his professional and personal responsibilities.

As Mathison navigated the demands of the show, he frequently questioned the nature of his connection with Śliwińska. “Why is it so intimate?” he pondered, indicating that the close partnership required for dance could lead to misunderstandings in his marriage. He recognized that while it is possible to participate in such shows while married, the circumstances surrounding his situation made it particularly challenging.

Mathison’s openness about his experience on Dancing With the Stars sheds light on the often-overlooked emotional dynamics that can arise when personal and professional lives intersect, especially in the high-pressure environment of reality television. His story resonates with many who have faced similar challenges in their relationships, particularly when external factors complicate the dynamics of love and commitment.

As fans of Cameron Mathison continue to support him through this transitional period in his life, his candid reflections serve as a reminder of the complexities that come with fame, love, and the pursuit of one’s passions. The world of reality television, while glamorous and entertaining, often brings with it a set of unique challenges that can test the strength of even the most solid relationships.