Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse experienced an emotional moment backstage at Loose Women this week, breaking down in tears while discussing the personal sacrifices she's made for her television career.
The popular dancer-turned-presenter opened up about the profound impact of being separated from her family in South Africa, revealing the hidden emotional toll behind her successful UK television career.
The Heartfelt Confession
During what was meant to be a routine pre-show discussion, Mabuse became visibly emotional when conversation turned to family matters. "I was backstage at Loose Women and I started crying," the 33-year-old shared. "We were talking about family and I just broke down."
The Dancing on Ice judge explained how the physical distance from her loved ones has created significant emotional challenges, despite her professional success in British television.
Life Away From Home
Mabuse, who moved to the UK to join Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, described the complex reality of building a life thousands of miles from her South African roots. While she's found fame and established herself as a household name on British television, the separation comes at a personal cost.
"Being away from family is really hard," she confessed, highlighting the particular difficulty of missing important family moments and milestones.
Support From Co-stars
Fellow Loose Women panellists quickly rallied around the emotional presenter, offering comfort and understanding. The incident demonstrates the close bonds that form between television colleagues, who often become surrogate family for those working far from home.
Mabuse's openness about her struggles provides a rare glimpse behind the glamorous facade of television presenting, showing that even successful celebrities face personal challenges.
Continuing Success Despite Challenges
Despite the emotional difficulties, Mabuse continues to thrive in her UK television career. Since leaving Strictly Come Dancing, she has established herself as a sought-after presenter and judge, currently appearing on Dancing on Ice while making regular appearances on various ITV programmes.
Her willingness to show vulnerability while maintaining professional success makes her story particularly relatable to viewers who may face similar challenges of separation from loved ones.
