Kayleigh Trappe explains why she keeps relationship with boyfriend Tom private

The social media sensation is all loved up with her other half, who she says has been a constant support to her during her journey to the Dancing With The Stars final

Kayleigh Trappe has explained why she prefers to keep her relationship with boyfriend Tom out of the limelight.

The social media star has been dating teacher Tom for some time now, and while he is supportive of her growing career, he prefers to stay behind the scenes.

However, the Monaghan native added that he has appeared in some of her hilarious online sketches - she just hasn’t pointed out who he is.

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Kayleigh told RSVP Live: “If you had a fine eye, you would have spotted him in a couple of videos. I just don’t point out who he is.

“I suppose it’s down to the nature of his job, he’s a teacher. As an ex-teacher myself I understand there’s different needs and wants.

“It is a case of trying to find the balance of keeping my private life private, and my public life public.”

Kayleigh isn’t closed off to showing her boyfriend on social media, explaining it just hasn’t happened naturally yet.

“At the same time it’s not something I’ve really thought about, we just go with the flow. It’s still a relatively new relationship but I’m absolutely willing to flaunt and taunt,” she added.

“As I said, he is already in my videos. I just don’t point him out. Everyone is going to go looking for him now!

“He’s a great support and he constantly gives me video ideas and helps me with editing. He definitely prefers to be behind the scenes. He doesn’t get a slagging off the lads that way.”

Kayleigh is a finalist on this year’s Dancing With The Stars and says she is now more recognised for her fancy footwork rather than her impressions when out and about in public.

The TikTok star hopes this boost in profile will help her to land more work and build on her social media career.

She said: “Before the show, I’d be walking down the street and people would say, ‘Ah there’s Vogue Williams, hello Pat Shortt, how are you Louis Walsh?’ Now it’s, ‘I loved your Salsa.’

“When I left teaching, I was going into the social media world with my eyes closed. I knew there would be plenty of work there, but I didn’t really know where it was going to go.

“When I signed up for this show, I was hoping to add a few more strings to my bows and that it would open up a few more doors for me. It has shown I have a voice, because ironically I have made lip synching my career by not having a voice.

“I was just hoping that the people would enjoy what I have to say. It has been a pleasure to have people coming up to me talking about the show and how it helps them – that means the world.”

Kayleigh says she is an “open book” when it comes to job opportunities after her time on the dance floor ends.

“I hope when it’s all over, as sad as it will be, it will open the door to something else. I want to broaden my horizons and explore what’s out there without putting too much pressure on myself, so fingers crossed,” she said.

“When I was younger I had a diary. I found it recently and it said ‘I want to be a performer’ but it also said ‘that’s never going to happen because I’m too fat and ugly’. This stage has made me realise how much I love performing.

“This was always the big dream for me so I owe it to myself to explore that a little bit more afterwards and definitely pursue more acting and presenting jobs. It’s amazing you can do both these days.”

Irish comedy legend Deirdre O’Kane is a big inspiration to Kayleigh:

“I really admire her, because she is a stand-up comic but also stars in a lot of shows. In a dream world I’d love to have a hybrid of the two, so hopefully that comes my way.”

Following an appearance about preserving the Irish language on RTÉ current affairs show Upfront this week, Kayleigh has already landed a job with TG4.

She added: “I’m so blessed to be bilingual and can work both in English and Irish. I actually have plans with TG4 coming up in a couple of months time to do something as Gaeilge. It’s something I want to do, because I have a passion for the language.”

The Dancing With The Stars final airs Sunday night on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 6.30pm

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