Cameron Mathison revealed she was having marital problems during her Dancing with the Stars gig in 2007, just days before announcing her divorce on Wednesday.
During her July 21 appearance on Cheryl Burke’s podcast Sex, lies and spray tanningThe General Hospital star, 54, opened up about the “tough time” he faced with his ex-wife Vanessa Arevalo, 57, whom he married in 2002.
The handsome actor admitted that he requested a different dance partner after being paired with the attractive and often scantily clad Edyta Sliwinska for Season 5, a situation that could have complicated their already troubled relationship at the time.
“I watched the show, so I knew Edyta,” he explained on the podcast. “She’s a very beautiful woman, and I actually called Dina Katz, who was a casting director at the time, and I called her and I said, ‘Listen, I’m so happy that you offered me the show. I can’t wait. I’m in. Just do me a favor. Put me with anyone but Edyta.'”
He continued: ‘Because I knew my wife and I, we were going through a bit of a challenge at the time, and Edyta didn’t wear a lot of clothes.’
Cameron Mathison revealed he was having marital problems during his 2007 appearance on Dancing with the Stars, just days before announcing his divorce from Vanessa Arevalo on Wednesday; (Cameron and Vanessa seen in 2022)
The handsome actor admitted that he asked for a different dance partner after being paired with the attractive and often scantily clad Edyta Sliwinska for season 5, a situation that could have complicated their already rocky relationship at the time; (Cameron and Edyta in 2007)
In the end, Cameron stayed with Śliwińska and finished in fifth place.
“Vanessa was a fighter,” Cameron admitted. “We had been through a lot of stuff recently and it wasn’t the ideal time. I was in Los Angeles hanging out with this beautiful woman, dressed up against her, sweating with her for five hours a day rehearsing and then doing all the press and touring together, and it was really hard.”
The former All My Children star also mentioned that DWTS was pulling in “Super Bowl ratings” at the time, and he and Śliwińska frequently relied on each other and bonded over the intensity of the competition.
“You become very close and that works for the show and it works for the people watching it, but it doesn’t work for the family at home,” he said.
On Wednesday, Cameron and Vanessa announced their divorce in an emotional statement shared with AND.
The post read: ‘After 22 years of marriage, we have made the difficult decision to separate.
‘We enter this new chapter with deep love, kindness and mutual respect. We hold in our hearts gratitude for the wonderful years we shared together.
‘Our children have been and will continue to be our top priority, and we will always share our devotion and love for them.
“I watched the show, so I knew Edyta,” he explained on the podcast. “She’s a very beautiful woman, and I actually called Dina Katz, who was a casting director at the time, and I called her and I said, ‘Listen, I’m so happy that you offered me the show. I can’t wait. I’m in. Just do me a favor. Put me with anyone but Edyta.'” (Edyta in 2009).
He continued: “Because I knew my wife and I, we were going through a little bit of a challenge at the time, and Edyta didn’t wear a lot of clothes” (Edyta and Joey Lawrence in 2009).
General Hospital star Cameron and wife Vanessa Arevalo split after 22 years of marriage – photo 2022
The couple have two children: son Lucas, 21, and daughter Leila, 18, pictured in 2016.
“We remain friends and both wish each other the best. We sincerely appreciate your respect for our family’s privacy during this transition.”
The couple share two children: son Lucas, 21, and daughter Leila, 18.
They married on July 27, 2002 after former All My Children star Cameron proposed in Vail, Colorado.
The couple met in 1998 while working as models in New York City and began a romance the following year.
Cameron previously played Ryan Lavery on All My Children from 1998 to 2011.
In 2022, Vanessa guest-starred on General Hospital as an executive coach named Mia in three episodes.
At the time, she told ET: “This was an absolute dream come true.”
Cameron added: “We were both nervous. I was nervous. I could tell Vanessa was nervous… then I started getting even more nervous.”
Speaking about their romance, she said: “This summer we celebrated 20 years of marriage and it hasn’t all been easy, no doubt. We went through some tough times the first five years.
Cameron, 54, and Vanessa, 57, announced their divorce in an emotional statement shared with ET. The post read: “After 22 years of marriage, we have made the difficult decision to separate – photo from 2005
Cameron has played Drew Cain on General Hospital since 2021.
In 2022, Vanessa guest-starred on General Hospital as an executive coach named Mia in three episodes.
Cameron previously played Ryan Lavery on All My Children from 1998 to 2011.
The split comes five years after Cameron revealed he was battling kidney cancer. Mathison announced his diagnosis with renal cell carcinoma on Sept. 9, 2019, and underwent surgery to remove the tumor the same month.
‘Getting through those times and being able to call Vanessa my best friend and fully enjoy every moment together has been better than I could have ever imagined marriage would be for me.’
The split comes five years after Cameron revealed he was battling kidney cancer.
Mathison announced her diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma on September 9, 2019, and underwent surgery to remove the tumor that same month.
He was later deemed cancer-free.
Renal cell carcinoma is a rare disease, but it is the most common form of the disease that affects adults.