James Van Der Beek's decision to participate in "The Real Full Monty" was a significant one. He saw the opportunity to raise awareness for early cancer detection and break the stigma surrounding men getting checked. This special event, featuring a star-studded cast, aimed to make a difference.

Uniting for Cancer Awareness through Striptease

James Van Der Beek's Immediate Decision

James Van Der Beek knew from the start that he wanted to be a part of "The Real Full Monty." He was drawn to the cause and believed in its importance. As he told Fox News Digital, "I saw it was to raise awareness for early cancer detection and lessen the stigma for men to get checked. And I knew immediately I was going to do this." This decision showed his commitment and courage.There was a moment of hesitation though. He joked, "I neglected to inform my brain until the very last second because my brain would have just white-knuckled the entire way through." But in the end, his sense of purpose prevailed.

The Cast's Initial Reactions

Tyler Posey initially thought there would be some sort of modesty sock for the striptease. He said, "I anticipated that that was going to be it. And then I heard no. And then it created this crazy mix of like, excitement and scared. And I’m like, I have to, I have to go through with this now. I have to do this, you know? And I was honored."Taye Diggs added, "At the end of the day, we created something that we’re very proud of. It’s for a great cause. And, and, you know, once again, the message, if we can get up there and do something, kind of step outside of our comfort zones, well, hopefully you guys can as well and get tested and do the right thing."

The Choreographer's Role

The show's choreographer, Emmy-winner Mandy Moore, played a crucial role in keeping the guys focused. Anderson said, "If you could only imagine Mandy Moore trying to corral all this. To handle six grown men stripping naked in front of one another. And her. And just trying to get this right." Bruno Tonioli also praised Moore, calling her a "saint." He admitted that even for a former professional dancer like himself, the props and costumes were challenging.

The Dance and Groove

As they trained, the guys got into the groove for the dance. Posey said the move that got him into the groove was twirling the tie over his head. "There’s something about that movement in general. I felt like we were all really in sync," he said. Diggs added, "Truly, it is like an old school strip tease."The two-hour special, "The Real Full Monty," aired Monday night on Fox and streamed Tuesday on Hulu, bringing this unique and meaningful event to a wide audience.