Oti Mabuse Responds to AJ Pritchard's US Audition
Oti Mabuse has responded to the news that former Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard is auditioning for the US version of the show, Dancing With The Stars, by suggesting he 'might be more palatable' in America. The South African dancer addressed the controversy surrounding Pritchard in a TikTok video after fans asked for her thoughts.
Pritchard's Controversial Comments
Pritchard became a divisive figure after leaving Strictly when he stated that the show needed more British dancers, given it takes place in the UK. Despite this, he has flown to the US to compete in Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro, a reality competition to become a pro dancer on the American show.
Mabuse's Candid Assessment
In her TikTok response, Mabuse said: 'AJ is so controversial, it's so funny. I think AJ has said a lot of things about Strictly as a brand, and, I don't know how to word this. He might've rubbed people up the wrong way with his personality as well. I think we can admit that. Like him coming out in public and saying he wants British dancers on a British show, because Strictly is British...'
Mabuse paused to point at herself with an unimpressed expression, adding: 'The most popular pros, THE most popular pros have not been British. I'm talking Aljaz, Giovanni, 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.'
Strictly as a Global Brand
She argued that Strictly is a 'global' brand, allowing pros to perform African dance routines or Spanish numbers without 'cultural appropriation'. 'That's what makes the show beautiful and special,' she said. 'And so he's gone off and left the biggest brand and been really horrible about it. And that might rub people up the wrong way.'
Support for Pursuing Dreams
Despite her criticism, Mabuse supported Pritchard's move: 'Do I think he should have gone for the American one? Yeah, maybe that one might work out better for him, maybe his personality is a bit more palatable there. I don't think we should feel a certain way about people trying to reach their dreams. I don't think we should be offended by it.'
She also noted that many Strictly pros have appeared on other shows, including herself and her sister Motsi on the German version of Dancing With The Stars, and judge Craig Revel Horwood on the Australian version. 'We're freelancers. We need to work. You don't work, you don't eat,' she concluded.
Pritchard's Rocky Start
Pritchard's participation in Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro got off to a rocky start when Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas told him she wanted him to take more risks, adding that she never wanted to 'get the feeling from you that you're playing it safe'. The Mirror reached out to Pritchard's representatives for comment.
