Who is Kayleigh Trappe as she eyes up the DWTS Glitterball

Lip sync star Kayleigh Trappe has her eyes on the prize as she's joined the line-up for the 2025 series of Dancing with the Stars.

The social media sensation was announced as part of the line-up alongside Elaine Crowley, Rhys McClenaghan, Yasmin Seky and Kevin Dundon on Friday's Late Late Show.

If you've been on TikTok lately, you've probably come across one of Kayleigh's hilarious lip sync videos, but who is the social media star about to make waves on our TV screens?

Kayleigh Trappe is a 29-year-old comedian who has amassed an army of fans recreating iconic moments from Irish celebs, with over 400k followers across her social media accounts.

The Monaghan-born social media star has gone viral a number of times from recreating Nadine Coyle's infamous passport debacle to miming scenes from Joanne McNally and Vogue Williams' podcast.

She's close to her parents and before taking the leap to chase her dreams full-time, she wanted to make sure she had her parents' approval. It was her father who encouraged her to go all in with comedy, telling her in 2023: 'Maybe now's the time Kayleigh. There's no time like the present.'

Before she took off on social media, Kayleigh had a real-world job as a primary school teacher, teaching senior infants. 

She has spoken previously about how she would entertain her pupils in the classroom with impressions saying: 'I was that teacher who loved to get kids out of their comfort zone and get creative and free. I think we expect a lot of serious stuff from children today and I just wanted to get their fun side showing,' she said. 'I loved to get them involved in plays and panto and I'd be the kids favourite characters; they loved that.'

However, in 2023, Miss Trappe announced she was taking a career break to pursue her passion for performing and acting full-time.

Before she launched her social media career, Kayleigh said she lacked confidence as she struggled with her weight into adolescence and her college years, saying 'I was a lot bigger growing up'.

However, she reached a turning point in her life about six years ago, when she developed a love for exercise and making healthy eating choices. After working hard on her fitness she lost six stone before getting involved with drama again and launching her social media career.

She previously told EVOKE: 'I had lost six stone... that would probably be the big thing with the confidence... I had lost lots of weight and I was growing in confidence that's when I started to open up with the drama.'

While she doesn't share a lot of her relationship on social media, Kayleigh is happily loved-up. She met her boyfriend around lockdown and they have been dating for four years.

Kayleigh has previously said 'he's a wonderful support'. We're sure he'll be supporting her Dancing with the Stars journey every step of the way!