Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse has opened up about the profound personal cost of pursuing her showbiz dreams, revealing a painful year-long estrangement from her family.
The Dream That Divided a Family
The two-time Strictly champion, who holds a degree in civil engineering, was expected to follow a stable career path in that industry. However, her passion for dance led to a monumental clash with her parents, particularly her mother Dudu. The disagreement was so severe that mother and daughter did not speak for an entire year.
Mabuse discussed the rift candidly on ITV's Loose Women, drawing parallels to the recently reported tensions within the Beckham family. She explained the cultural and emotional weight of her decision to abandon engineering for the uncertain world of professional dance.
A Year of Silence and a 'Kumbaya' Moment
"I've had situations like with my mum, leaving engineering and saying to her, 'I'm going to be a professional dancer,' we didn't talk for a year. A whole year," Mabuse confessed. She described her mother's perspective as one of love and concern for her safety and future, but for Oti, the lack of support was untenable.
"I needed her to really support me so that when I walk into a room, I know that I'm being supported by my whole family," she stated. The stalemate only ended after what she termed a "Kumbaya moment," facilitated by a glass of wine and a decision to finally talk things through.
Old Wounds and New Boundaries
This is not the first time Mabuse has spoken about the family breakdown. On BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, she recalled her parents being "absolutely against" her career change, calling it "the worst decision ever." She knew she couldn't give up dancing, as engineering "didn't sit right with my soul."
Although she and her mother have since reconciled, new challenges have emerged. Now a mother herself, Oti has established firm boundaries regarding how her mother speaks about her grandchildren, reflecting her own evolved perspective on parenting. "In my African culture, we just say what we want, we're just very brutally honest," she noted, but she will now intervene if comments are made about her child's weight, for example.
She views the tough skin developed from her parents' honesty as a shield she now uses to protect her own daughter. The journey from a fractured relationship to a mended, yet carefully managed, bond highlights the lasting impact of her decision to follow her heart to the Strictly ballroom.
