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Privacy NoticeWhen asked about her electric on-screen persona, Motsi Mabuse laughs, “Sometimes I watch the show back and think, ‘Who is that woman?’ because I’m so different from that!” And in this milestone 20th-anniversary year of Strictly Come Dancing, that infectious energy shows no sign of fading away. In fact, it could well go right off the scale. As Motsi exclusively shared with OK!, “Twenty years of mesmerising dancing, outstanding outfits and beautiful footwork – it’s an honour and a privilege to be a part of such an iconic show, especially in its 20th year. We’ve got lots of surprises up our sleeves to make sure this year is even bigger, better and more fabulous than before.”
Motsi joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2019
When Motsi joined the panel five years ago, she was stepping into the ballet pumps of departing judge, national treasure Darcey Bussell. And although the pair’s demeanour couldn’t have been more different, just as Darcey’s had before her, Motsi’s experience and wisdom shone through from day one. Hardly surprising, with Motsi’s history judging Let’s Dance – Germany’s version of Strictly – since 2011, and as a pro on the show for two series before that. When the empty chair came up on the UK panel, Motsi recalls that she may have manifested her job offer during a phone call to her sister, former Strictly pro Oti. “I learned that Darcey was stopping, so I called Oti and was like, ‘What’s happening over there?’” she says. “She said she didn’t know, so I joked that they should call me, and we laughed. Three weeks later, I called her back and said, ‘They called me!’ and we laughed again! Being called for Strictly was like the hard work paid off,” she adds. “Like I’d been seen in some way.”
Motsi shared the Strictly stage with Oti for her first three seasons, who was competing as a pro
(Image: ITV)
For her first three series, Motsi shared the Strictly stage with Oti, who was competing as a pro on the dance floor. There was a feeling things had come full circle for two little girls who went to dance class together in South Africa, where they were brought up under apartheid. “My mum thought we’d be away from the streets if we were dancing,” she explains of their early years. “She made us go dancing to protect us from teen pregnancy, drugs, alcohol. She tried to protect us from the racism in South Africa. As kids, we knew people hated us because of our skin colour. When you grow up in South Africa you’re told you’re not pretty, especially if you have dark skin.” At 19, Motsi was studying law and was expected to go into the family business – her father is a lawyer – but she surprised her parents by moving to Germany in 2000 with her first husband and dance partner Timo Kulczak to pursue her dreams. “As time went by, they kind of relaxed,” she jokes about her parent’s reaction. In Germany she continued dancing professionally and launched her own dance school, as well as meeting and marrying her second husband – her former dance partner Evgenij Voznyuk.
Motsi and Oti grew up in South Africa
(Image: Instagram/otimabuseandphemelom)
Motsi still lives in Germany with Evgenij and their five-year-old daughter, who they keep out of the public eye, having never officially released her name. Motsi often finds herself judging on Let’s Dance the same week she is filming Strictly . “I don’t see it as a problem,” she shrugs. “Maybe I’ve gotten immune. What bothers me is maybe sometimes I feel like I could sleep a little bit longer!” However, motherhood has made her re-examine her work/life balance. “I always work hard and before I had my baby, I would work like crazy. Even in the beginning, I thought, ‘I can do all of this,” But since becoming a mum, she says her priorities have changed. “Now I’ve realised what I’m going to say no and yes to.” With such a busy schedule, just how does she rouse the “showgirl” Motsi, as she calls her Strictly persona, every Saturday night? “Music, music, music,” she reveals. “I have to elevate myself to that girl who comes out on Saturday nights. I listen to artists like Beyoncé, Tina Turner – strong women. “Motsi on a Saturday night? I can’t be that all the time!” she adds. “So, I put her in the cellar and bring her back out on the weekend! I’m a bit lower energy and just let things flow.” When Oti quit the show in 2022, Motsi said she found Strictly without her sister “difficult”. However, the pair speak all the time, especially when the show is on. “Sometimes, Oti’s like, ‘Fix your hair!’, or, ‘What did you just say?’” laughs Motsi. Meanwhile, Motsi has formed a strong bond with fellow judge Shirley Ballas.
Motsi said she found Strictly ‘difficult’ without her sister
(Image: PA)
“Shirley and I are always writing to and checking up on each other. I have a lot of respect for Shirley,” Motsi says. “She loves women who are capable of having their own energy, because that is Shirley. She respects when she can see someone’s working hard and has a good energy.” Championing women is a big part of Motsi’s mission in life, and something she has used her Strictly platform for. On the show, she’s worn African hairstyles to empower young girls looking for representation – and has also worn straight hair for the same reason. She’s been delighted by the reaction. “They take time to write to me, to send me notes… they copy my hairstyles,” she says of younger viewers. “I have put on African hairstyles, and I’ve shown the diversity of hair, but I’ve also worn it straight to say, ‘Do whatever you want!’” Motsi already been bringing in the fashion stakes to the BBC show this year. “I do enjoy the glamour. I’ve learned so much about what I love, and fashion, and make-up, and who I am.” This 20th year is a special one for the show, so what does she think is the secret of the show’s enduring success? “I think everybody has an opinion about dancing,” Motsi muses. “I feel like everybody has a connection to music; music moves us all in a way. And it’s one of the shows that you can trust that you will be able to watch with the whole family. It brings us together, and also it offers escapism. For a few hours, you get to just forget what’s going on in the world and just enjoy that moment.” And as she takes the seat with the rest of the judging panel, how does Motsi feel when she thinks back to that little girl dancing with her sister in South Africa? “My inner child had so much trauma growing up in South Africa. I never thought I was beautiful. No one ever told me I was beautiful. Actually, it was the opposite,” she says. “So even seeing things like the photos on a photoshoot, or me on Strictly , I look through the eyes of that child and think, ‘Wow, is that me? Is this happening to me?’ I think to myself, ‘Little girl, can you see how things have turned out?’”
Celebrating 20 years of Strictly Come Dancing
In this special commemorative edition of OK!, we celebrate two glorious decades of one of the nation’s favourite TV shows As the new series kicks off, we look back at the winners who have danced their way to the top of Britain’s sparkliest dance competition and remember the iconic performances that have provided moments of joy, tears and laughter We also pay tribute to Strictly’s hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the hard-working professional dancers and, of course, legendary judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke Click here to purchase your edition for £9.99.
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