Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse has opened up about how motherhood has become the central driving force in her life, stating her daughter is "the reason I do everything." The 35-year-old dancer, who welcomed her first child with husband Marius Lepure in November 2023, emphasized her desire to be "a good role model" for her young daughter.
A Transformative Journey into Motherhood
In a candid interview with The Mirror, Mabuse reflected on the profound changes that have occurred since becoming a parent. The South African dancer and television personality revealed that she and Lepure had experienced difficulties conceiving before their daughter's arrival, making the journey to parenthood particularly meaningful.
"She's the reason I do everything," Mabuse declared passionately. "I want to make sure her relationships with women, and men, are strong, and I hope when she's older she can come to me about literally anything."
Balancing Career and Family Commitments
The dancer spoke openly about the challenges of balancing her professional commitments with motherhood, particularly when she left her infant daughter to participate in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2024. Mabuse became a fan favourite on the ITV reality show, ultimately reaching the final and placing fourth.
When asked if it was difficult to leave her daughter behind for the Australian jungle experience, Mabuse acknowledged the emotional challenge but noted: "It was, but she doesn't remember. I wouldn't leave her now, at two. I go to work and she's crying for me."
The Reality of Parental Burnout
Mabuse revealed that her participation in the celebrity survival show came at a crucial time personally. "Back then, I was under the impression I could do it all, but you can't, you burn out," she confessed. "I was so tired and the jungle gave me a total reset."
The dancer described how fellow contestants supported her during the demanding experience: "I didn't do much for the first week except sleep. All the other celebs were lovely. They were like, 'she's a new mum, let her rest.'"
Professional Evolution and Current Roles
Mabuse's career has evolved significantly since her departure from Strictly Come Dancing in 2022. During her seven-year tenure on the BBC dance competition, she won the celebrity dance show twice, establishing herself as one of the program's most successful professionals.
Following her Strictly departure, Mabuse served as a judge on ITV's Dancing On Ice for three years before taking on her current position as head judge on RTE's Dancing With The Stars Ireland. She travels to Dublin regularly to film the Irish dancing competition, which she says provides valuable personal time.
Cherishing Moments of Independence
"The weekend is mine," Mabuse explained about her Dublin filming schedule. "I love being a mum, but it's so nice. I love working on the show as I've watched people dance, then I get back to the hotel and have a bath and a wine and it's heaven, I'm telling you."
The dancer also shared charming anecdotes about her daughter's developing personality, noting: "She's such a daddy's girl, though. But I love that she is. If Marius isn't around, she can do it all. When he's there, she pulls this little knowing face – to me – and asks him to do everything for her. She's so funny."
Mabuse's reflections highlight how motherhood has reshaped her priorities while allowing her to maintain a successful television career across multiple dance competition formats.
