Tony Cowell
Oti Mabuse, 28, left humble beginnings in a township in South Africa to find fame as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing. Now, with the world at her feet, this likeable go-getter seems to be enchanting audiences as a ‘dance captain’ alongside singer Cheryl and Glee’s Matthew Morrison on Simon Cowell’s latest juggernaut - BBC show, The Greatest Dancer.
Oti, we’re loving you on The Greatest Dancer! What prompted you to get involved in the show?
Well, first off, it’s all about dance, so it was a no-brainer. But I also thought it would be fun for me to be on the other side of the desk for once! To be able to help support upcoming dancers is something that really appealed to me. This is a big show, and it was a huge chance for me. I couldn’t say no.
What do you love about it?
I like the mix of different genres of dance, and that there’s such a wide range of ages in the contestants – from the very young to our oldest dancer, who was 92 years old. We are not there to judge, because the public does that – we are there purely as ‘dance captains’, mentoring the acts.
Were you nervous during the auditions?
Absolutely, and when I get nervous I start to giggle and scream, because I’ve never done anything like this before and I didn’t want to upset or hurt anyone! I hope my nerves don’t come across on screen. But, of course, getting the chance to dance myself is great. It’s just a unique show. I hope people are loving it.
How do you get on with Cheryl and Matthew – honestly, were there any arguments backstage?
No, never – we all get on so well! Also, Alesha [Dixon] is the real reason I did this show. When I came to the UK in 2015 to do Strictly, nobody knew who I was, and I met Alesha and she was really kind to me and gave me some good advice. I never forgot that. Last month, we all sat and watched the first show together. Cheryl, Alesha and I sat holding hands and crying. I suppose I look up to both of them, as if they’re my sisters.
Everyone fell in love with Matthew Morrison in Glee – are you a fan?
Ha ha, absolutely – how could you not be? When I first sat next to him on the panel, I kept singing songs from Glee to him, but he wouldn’t join in. He just stared at me with a poker face and said, ‘Oti, you have way too much energy!’ He’s a lovely man. Very humble, very hard-working.
Why do we love dance shows so much in Britain?! You do, don’t you! But it’s not just the UK. With all the bad things going on in the world, dance is like therapy. People at home who watch these shows have maybe always wanted to dance themselves, and there’s something magical about watching dance. It goes back to the old movies, to mesmerising stars like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
You appear so confident on TV – are you very driven?
I always aim to give 100 per cent, yes. I want to be the best. I think I get that from my dad. If I had doubts or needed encouragement growing up, he was the one who’d always say, ‘Come on, Oti, you can do it!’
You started dancing aged four. What prompted you to follow that dream? You also trained as a civil engineer, didn’t you?
I started dancing very young and I began winning titles at home in South Africa, and I just wanted more! I knew that if I wanted to be European champion, I would have to leave my country, so I took the risk and moved to Germany with no money – just enough for accommodation. It was a huge gamble, but thankfully it paid off, because it was there that I met my husband, Marius [Lepure, who is also a professional dancer].
Was it hard leaving your parents behind?
That was the worst part of it all. It was terrible. We lived in a township – a dangerous area in Pretoria. My mum formed a dance school to try to get kids off the street, so they could use their energy in a more positive way. She worked so hard for something she believed in.
So, was she supportive of you becoming a professional dancer?
Yes, she really inspired me to work hard and be successful. Even today, she listens and advises me on everything I do. I talk to her on Skype and WhatsApp almost every day. She’s a huge part of my life.
You first performed in Strictly in 2015 – will you be back later this year?
Well, I certainly hope so, because Strictly has become such a huge part of my life. That show changed my life! I call Britain my new home now because of it, and this is where I want to stay. I’m so happy here.
The Greatest Dancer
continues on BBC One on Saturday night at 8pm