Oti Mabuse has taken aim at former Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer AJ Pritchard as he competes in a dancing competition across the pond, saying he 'rubbed a lot of people the wrong way'.
AJ, 31, was a pro dancer on Strictly from 2016 to 2019, with his best result being when he finished in fourth place with gymnast Claudia Fragapane. Oti, 35, won the Glitterball Trophy twice on the BBC series, and is currently the head judge on the Irish version of the show, Dancing with the Stars.
It was recently revealed that AJ would be taking part in Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, a competition where professional dancers compete for the chance to join the line-up of the American show. The competitors are overseen by Strictly's head judge Shirley Ballas and her son Mark Ballas, who's a pro dancer on the US version of the series.
Oti's candid comments on AJ
A fan of Oti sent her a message asking if she thought that it was 'fair' for AJ to compete, considering he used to be a pro on Strictly. While Oti didn't begrudge AJ taking part in the competition, she didn't mince her words when it came to expressing her views on him in general.
'I like this one actually 'cause it's asking about AJ. That guy is so controversial,' she said in a TikTok video, before laughing. 'It's so funny,' she quipped, before addressing comments that AJ has previously said about Strictly. 'I don't even know how to word this. And he might have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way with his personality, right? We can admit that as well,' she said candidly.
'Like, him coming out in public and saying he wants British dancers on a British show because Strictly is Britain…' at which point Oti paused, holding her hand up to the camera.
In a recent interview with The Sun, AJ admitted: 'I think, upsettingly, I would love to see more British dancers on the show. We're in the UK, I'm proud to be British, and there are so many fantastic boys and girls out there who would love the opportunity. So really kind of regionally, it would support the country that we are proud to be. I would love to see that, personally.'
Oti defends Strictly's global mix
Oti went on: 'The most popular pros on Strictly have not been British. I'm talking Aljaz, I'm talking Giovanni, I'm talking Janette. Even now, Vito, Nikita, Alexis, Katya. Even back in the day, we're going Vincent Simone, we're going Ola Jordan, we're going Kristina Rihanoff, we're going Natalie Lowe. Those are the legends. And they're not British.
'So you can imagine that for a lot of people, that would have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. And also, Strictly is different. Out of all the brands, all the brands. No, we are global. Our professionals are global because that global mixture is what makes us beautiful and is what makes us special.'
Oti emphasised how important it is for Strictly to celebrate lots of different cultures, boasting dancers from countries including Italy, Ukraine, Africa and Australia, before emphasising that Australian dancer Dianne is 'the most popular pro today'.
'Not British, and so he's gone off and left the biggest brand, and just been really horrible about it. So that might rub a lot of people the wrong way,' she added about AJ. 'He left, and he decided, okay, maybe now I've matured, I've grown, and I'd like another opportunity. Do I think he should now try to go for the American one? Yeah, maybe that one might work out better for him. Maybe his personality might be a little bit more palatable there.'
Oti wishes AJ luck despite criticism
Oti also stressed that she won't criticise AJ for trying to get onto Dancing with The Stars. 'I don't think that we should feel a certain way about people trying to reach their dreams. I really don't think we should be offended by people having goals and going for their goals.'
However, she also brought up the history that AJ has with Shirley, claiming that the Strictly judge 'has been one of AJ's main teachers since he was a tiny tot'. 'I've already stated as well in the past that all the contestants feel like they have a certain connection to the panel, especially that panel, where I'm saying Derek, Mark, and Shirley, and in the UK, it is well documented and well known that Shirley has been one of AJ's main teachers since he was a tiny tot, and so that's their connection, and that's probably how he ended up on the show.'
Having come to Strictly in the UK from the German show Let's Dance, Oti acknowledged that it would be 'absolutely insane' if she were not grateful for the opportunity she'd had which led her to the BBC series, and now being the head judge on the Irish programme.
Oti also shared that many pro dancers might find Dancing with the Stars in the US incredibly appealing due to the opportunities that the show can offer. 'There are over 50 Dancing with the Stars all over the world. It would be crazy to think that some of these kids do not look at America as the mothership, and they see the routines, they see the pros, they see the opportunities the pros have,' she remarked.
Going back to AJ, Oti told her followers: 'But yeah, this one, if he wins it, we also don't know if he will win it. I don't think we should hold anything against him. The only thing is, will his personality be palatable for an American audience? That's it, because it's also you gotta get on with people, right?
'That's the only thing is will he get on with his fellow contestants and later on the fellow pros? But other than that, I wish him good luck. I genuinely, genuinely wish him good luck, and I think go on, AJ, smash it.'
Reactions to Oti's remarks
Several people reacted in the comments pointing out the irony of AJ saying that he wants to see more British dancers on Strictly, while auditioning for a spot on the American TV show.
'“Maybe his personality is a bit more palatable over there” is a FIERCE read,' sally.trademark commented on TikTok. 'Sooo only British pros on Strictly…. But it's ok for him (as a Brit) to be on American DWTS? Sounds quite hypocritical of him!' User3216549875 wrote.
Oti responded with heart emojis to a comment that read: 'Strictly wouldn't be strictly if they didn't have different dancers from all over the world.'
'What makes me laugh tho is he said that about strictly but he now is trying to go on the American one when he isn't American,' Rhys added. Another user going by the handle 5678 praised Oti for 'summarising it so well with respect and kindness'.
Metro has contacted AJ Pritchard and Shirley Ballas for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
