Strictly Come Dancing finalist Amber Davies has issued a powerful response to online trolls who have labelled her 'arrogant' and 'stuck up' during her time on the hit BBC show. The 29-year-old performer, who will compete for the Glitterball Trophy this Saturday with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin, told the Daily Mail that female ambition and confidence should be applauded, not attacked.
A Defence of Ambition and Confidence
Davies, a West End star with credits in shows like 9 to 5 and Back to the Future, revealed she has endured weeks of nasty remarks from some viewers, largely focused on her professional musical theatre training. She broke down in tears discussing the impact on the BBC's It Takes Two spinoff earlier this week. The former Love Island winner stated that she now sees her purpose on the show as challenging this negative narrative.
"I have a lot of young women follow me. I didn't know what my purpose was on Strictly until I realised that I was getting a lot of negative comments for being good," Davies explained. "I can't believe I have to say this in 2025, but being ambitious as a woman, being confident, having dreams and working hard does not mean you're stuck up, it doesn't mean that you're arrogant. I want to change that."
She emphasised her roots, coming from a small town in north Wales, and her sheer hard work to achieve her dreams. Davies was a last-minute addition to the Strictly Come Dancing lineup, cast just hours before the first live show after Dani Dyer's injury withdrawal, an opportunity she said she "could never have declined" as a huge fan.
The 'Previous Experience' Debate and Fighting for a Final Place
Addressing the perennial online criticism faced by contestants with dance training, Davies acknowledged the issue is not new, citing past contestants like Layton Williams and Ashley Roberts. She spoke at a Strictly press conference at BBC Broadcasting House, understanding that some viewers prefer to support complete novices.
"I have experience compared to the other finalists, and I'm not shying away from that," she said. "But the love actually does outweigh the hate... Musical theatre is polar opposite to ballroom and Latin, but people don't always want to listen to that."
Despite earning multiple perfect scores from the judges, Amber Davies survived three tense dance-offs to secure her spot in the final, including last week's semi-final which saw EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal eliminated. She will now compete against YouTuber George Clarke and former footballer Karen Carney.
"I feel like I've worked just as hard as the other finalists," Davies asserted. "I had to fight to get into the final; we are here for entertainment. At the end of the day, it's 2025, social media is massive, opinions are everywhere, but I know I've stayed true to myself."
Learning to Be Your Own Cheerleader
One of the biggest lessons from her Strictly journey, Davies revealed, has been the importance of self-support. She urged her followers to pursue their passions unapologetically.
"Whatever you're ambitious about and whatever you care for in life, go for it with two hands and don't undermine yourself to make other people feel comfortable," she advised. "Another thing I want to say is being your own cheerleader and loving yourself is the kindest form of self-love that you have. I just can't believe we still have to say this in 2025."
Reflecting on her whirlwind experience, Davies said she already feels like a winner. "Even just getting the Strictly phone call, I felt like I had won," she shared. "Being sat next to these two finalists, the people I've met, I feel like I've won in life. All I wanted during this experience was to be present and to remember it for what it was."
