Motsi Mabuse has opened up about her emotional response following her sister Oti Mabuse's departure from the popular television show Strictly Come Dancing. The renowned judge shared her feelings of apprehension and sadness after Oti stepped back from the program after three successful seasons as one of its captivating professional dancers.
During their time together on Strictly, the Mabuse sisters cultivated a close bond, with Motsi, aged 43, taking her position on the judging panel and Oti, 34, dazzling audiences with her dance prowess. The unity they showcased on the dance floor has sparked heartfelt sentiments following Oti's exit, which Motsi described as frightening.
According to Motsi, “Yes, I miss her, but she's still on the show, because she watches the show. We're always communicating by phone. Like if there's a break, I'm connected to Oti. And sometimes, she's like: 'Fix your hair!' or like, 'What did you just say?'” This connection, albeit virtual, made Motsi feel like her sister is still part of the show’s fabric. She admitted, "It's like she's there with me. Being without her was what I was afraid of, but she's there with me. So, she never really left Strictly. She might not be there in person, but her presence will always be felt."
Despite her official departure, Oti has ensured she remains linked to the Strictly community. Motsi noted, “And she's doing a bit of choreography as far as I know - as much as she says to herself, she's gone, I don't think she'll ever leave Strictly.” This reflects Oti's enduring impact on the show even from behind the scenes.
Since leaving Strictly, Oti has also delved successfully onto other projects, including her judging role on Dancing on Ice and participating on I’m A Celebrity, where she made it to the final four contestants. It’s clear the talented dancer is not stepping away from the spotlight anytime soon.
Alongside their professional endeavors, Oti candidly spoke about the competitive nature within the Mabuse family during her appearance on the Parenting Hell podcast with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe. Reflecting on their family’s games, she described how fun quickly turns to fierce competition. "But, in our house, Scrabble is not Scrabble for us; Scrabble for us is like the Gladiators (we're like) 'this is war'."
Oti humorously added, “We don't play them (board games) anymore because, when somebody loses, we don't talk to each other for three days.” It’s this intense rivalry, she suggests, which highlights the passion shared by the whole family.
She continued, "I think all three of us, no, actually all five of us, the whole family, is extremely competitive and it stems from not even just dancing. Dancing is the one thing we actually do as a family...we motivate each other, we do TikToks, it's fun, we're not competing in the same way.” This combination of celebratory and competitive energy is what keeps the Mabuse family thriving.
Fans of Strictly Come Dancing are anticipating the final, which airs this evening, December 14, at 6pm on BBC One. The emotional dynamics between Motsi and Oti capture not just the essence of family, but also the heart of the show, leaving audiences eager to see what the future holds for the beloved sisters.
