Friendship and rivalry
Why can’t female celebrities be friends without all the horrible sniping? This week’s showbiz bitchfest is between pop babe Cheryl wotsername and beautiful Strictly dancer Oti Mabuse.
These two ladies present the brandnew Greatest Dancer show on Saturday nights together. Yet, before they’d even said hello, there were whispers that Cheryl was playing the diva and it was implied she thought Oti was below her.
Cheryl and Oti have both denied any rift until they’re blue in their exquisite faces, but telly spin doctors know there’s nowt like a star spat to sell a show.
Chezza’s spokesperson sniffed, ‘Cheryl absolutely loves working with Oti and has a brilliant relationship with her.’ While Oti shared a snap of them cuddled up, declaring how much she loved Cheryl.
‘Imagine a world where two women work together with love, support and nothing but sisterhood,’ she added.
Interestingly, there are strong psychological explanations behind why female friendships always contain an element of rivalry. Men are encouraged to compete externally – at football for example – but women tend to internalise and compare looks, talent, lifestyle etc.
Even Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman faced scrutiny and every reality show from TOWIE to Love Island has traded on playing one girl off against another.
Cheryl is a passable dancer, Oti is a brilliant one. And much sexier to boot. But Cheryl is more famous. The dynamics were always going to be tricky. Still, the show’s Alesha Dixon has avoided any wicked whispers. Curious, isn’t it?
I hope the girls are all great mates with a genuine bond, but I’ll tune in to check out the body language and eye contact.
Murder on the dance floor? Yes, please!
‘I hope the girls are all great mates with a genuine bond’