Strictly Star Amber Davies Addresses Backlash and 'Curse' Speculation
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amber Davies has openly discussed her strategy for dealing with the significant public criticism regarding her extensive dance experience. The 29-year-old Love Island winner and West End actress revealed she is deliberately 'blocking out the noise' to focus on her performance with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin, 27.
Creating a 'Bubble' Away from Criticism
Amber explained her approach to The Sun, stating her motto for the competition is to 'zone in and be present'. She emphasised that she is putting herself, Nikita, and their Strictly journey 'in a bubble' to shield themselves from the backlash. This decision came after Nikita was photographed planting a tender kiss on her head, which further fuelled media speculation. 'So I am doing my very best not to look and listen to anything,' Amber said. 'I'm blocking out that noise and just being present in the moment. All I want to do is go out there and enjoy the work we've done for the week.'
Dismissing the 'Strictly Curse' and Defending Her Partnership
In the wake of the intimate pictures with Nikita, sources close to Amber told the Daily Mail that any suggestion she has fallen victim to the show's infamous 'curse' is 'nonsense'. The performer herself insisted that her boyfriend, Ben Joyce, is completely unfazed by the speculation surrounding her close bond with Nikita. She described Ben as 'not a****d' about the talk and revealed she is also very close to Nikita's girlfriend, Lauren Jaine. 'I love Lauren so much. I text her all the time,' Amber shared. 'Lauren spends more time with me than her fella.'
Amber also passionately defended her place on the show after critics slammed her for her professional dance training in West End productions like 9 to 5 and Back to the Future. She told the Daily Mail she has worked her 'a*** off' to build a reputation in the elite world of musical theatre. 'I feel like it doesn't matter what I say... people will of course have things to say because I do musical theatre,' she stated, highlighting her working-class background and dedication to her craft.
Despite finding herself in the dance-off, a source close to the actress said she was not panicked. 'For Amber, it has never been about winning the show,' the source clarified, adding that she is 'humbled' and 'grateful for all the support she is receiving from the theatre community.' The source firmly dismissed rumours of a romance between Amber and Nikita, stating, 'It's ridiculous for anyone to believe there's anything going on.'
