The Olympian wasn't a fan of country music until his girlfriend Emiliee started playing it 'on a loop' - now he has gotten on board with it and is enjoying learning his routine for country week.
Rhys McClenaghan has said that his girlfriend Emilee is behind him enjoying the country theme for Dancing With The Stars this week.
For the first time ever, bosses have introduced a country music-themed week to the competition.
Rhys will perform an American Smooth to Nathan Carter’s classic version of Wagon Wheel. He revealed his partner is a big fan of country music so he has gone into the week with some knowledge of the tunes.
"My girlfriend is a huge country fan," the Olympian told RSVP Live. "I actually wasn't a big fan of country music, but she just had it on loop all the time and I've grown to like it.
"At least I'm going into country week actually liking country music now, because I don't think it would be anywhere near as enjoyable if I didn't. I'm glad I like the music now."
There's only a few weeks left until the finale of the show, but instead of competitiveness creeping in among the contestants, Rhys and his pro partner Laura Nolan has said they have all just been getting closer as the show progresses.
"I think over the last couple of months everyone has grown closer and closer and become more friendly," said Rhys. "Everybody wants everyone else in the competition to perform their best. It's genuine joy from the other contestants when you see someone nailing their dance or getting 10s or getting their highest core yes. It's a really nice atmosphere in the Dancing With The Stars camp."
Laura added: "I think it's because everyone is in the same position and everyone knows how much work goes in to actually create a performance. Especially when it comes to the pros' perspective, we do be delighted for everyone else. It's more support than anything else."
Rhys and Laura are no strangers to getting 10s and topped the leader board last week, but does that add more pressure when it comes to performing?
"I think it makes me enjoy it a good bit more," said Rhys. "If the judges are enjoying it and clearly people have voted for us and are enjoying our dance every week so it really adds that motivation coming into Monday and when we're learning a new dance. It gives me that extra bit of spark and motivation to perform a nice dance again the next Sunday."
Dancing With The Stars airs Sunday nights at 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
