Oti Mabuse

Oti Mabuse is known as a South African ballet and Latin dancer, choreographer, television presenter and dance show judge. She became popular primarily through her participation in the British show Strictly Come Dancing, where she won the grand prize twice. In addition to her dancing career, Oti is actively involved in television, participating in projects as a presenter and judge, as well as publishing books.

Biography of Oti Mabuse

The Youth of Oti Mabuse

The star's full name is Otlile Mabuse. She was born on 8 August 1990 in Pretoria, South Africa. From an early age, she showed an interest in dancing, even though her family initially saw her future in academia. Oti began ballet as a child, but eventually switched to ballroom and Latin dancing, where she quickly achieved success.

After graduating from school, she enrolled in university to study civil engineering, but her true passion remained dancing. She soon made the important decision to leave her studies to pursue a professional dancing career. This decision was a turning point in her life, leading her to international fame.

Even as a young girl, Oti took part in many dance competitions in South Africa and beyond. She won numerous national championships and represented her country at international tournaments. After moving to Europe, she continued her career in Germany, where she participated in the show Let's Dance, and later moved to the United Kingdom, where she repeatedly participated in the Notting Hill Carnival.

Siblings

Oti is the youngest of three sisters. Her older sister, Motsi Mabuse, is also a professional dancer and choreographer. Motsi gained fame in Germany, where she participated in the local version of Dancing with the Stars and became a judge. Since 2019, she has also been a judge on the British show Strictly Come Dancing.

The middle sister, Phemelo Mabuse, unlike her two sisters, chose science over the stage. Her work is related to the environmental field. She keeps out of the public eye. Despite their different paths, all the sisters remain close and support each other.

Parents

Her parents were Peter and Dudu Mabuse. The family lived in South Africa during the years when the country was just beginning to move away from apartheid. Her parents always encouraged their daughters' creative development, despite the difficulties. According to Oti, her mother played a key role in guiding her and her sisters towards dance, seeing it not only as a form of self-expression, but also as a safe and disciplining activity. Her father was strict but fair, and often reminded his children that education was fundamental. Although he did not immediately support Oti's desire to dance, he later became one of her most devoted fans.

Oti Mabuse's career

Dancing career

Oti Mabuse began her professional dancing career in South Africa, where she quickly gained national recognition. Already in her youth, she participated in major competitions and became a multiple South African champion in ballroom and Latin dancing. However, the real breakthrough in her career came after she moved to Europe.

After moving to Germany, Oti began participating in various dance projects and competitions. It was there that she met her future husband and dance partner, Romanian dancer Marius Iepure. Together, they achieved significant success, including high rankings in international competitions such as the German Championship and World Latin Championship.

The star's career then began to take off:

• In 2015, Oti made her debut on the German television show Let's Dance, where she demonstrated not only a high level of technique but also a charisma that immediately won over viewers. This became a springboard for her transition to the British dance show Strictly Come Dancing. It is one of the most popular and prestigious projects in the United Kingdom.
• In the same year, Oti joined the cast of professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing on the BBC. During her time on the show, she partnered with celebrities such as Danny Mack, Graham Swann, Calvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey.
• Oti made history on the show by becoming the first dancer to win two seasons in a row. In 2019 with actor Calvin Fletcher and in 2020 with comedian Bill Bailey.

The season with Bill Bailey, who was 55 years old, was particularly triumphant. He became the oldest winner of the show. Oti proved herself not only as a brilliant choreographer, but also as a mentor who can unlock the potential of even those who have never danced before.

In addition to participating in the show, Oti also worked as a judge on various dance tours and later began teaching and conducting master classes. Her teaching style combines strictness and inspiration, which has made her popular in the dance community not only as a performer but also as a mentor.

TV shows with Oti Mabuse

In addition to her professional dance career, Oti is actively developing herself in the field of television. Her charisma, charm and ability to perform in front of the camera quickly made her in demand not only as a dancer, but also as a TV presenter and judge:

• In 2019, she became a judge on the British show The Greatest Dancer on BBC One. This show was unique in that the dancers performed blind, and the judges decided whether to let them through based solely on the first few seconds of their performance. Oti proved herself to be an emotional and attentive judge, as well as an excellent mentor. Her protégé, Elliot George, won the show in its second season.
• In 2022, Oti joined the judging panel of ITV's Dancing on Ice, where contestants compete in figure skating rather than dancing. Despite the change in format, her professional skills, wit and clear assessments resonated with viewers and contestants alike.

• Oti founded her own show, Oti Mabuse's Breakfast Show, which aired on weekend mornings. There she discussed the news, chatted with guests and shared positivity with viewers.
• She took part in programmes such as Celebrity Mastermind, The Masked Dancer UK, The One Show and Loose Women.
• She participated in documentary projects, including a film about her return to South Africa, where she talked about her journey and inspired the younger generation, shared photos of the jungle in a bikini on her Instagram, and showed the big carnival.

Oti has also made a name for herself as an author. She has released a series of children's books called Dance with Oti, which teaches children about movement, dance, confidence and self-expression in a light-hearted and playful way. Her books have received positive reviews for their positive message and colourful illustrations.

Oti Mabuse's personal life

Outside of the stage and television screen, Oti Mabuse leads a rich and harmonious personal life. She is not only a successful artist, but also a loving wife and mother. Despite her busy schedule in show business, Oti often emphasises the importance of family and personal balance.

Husband

Oti Mabuse's husband is originally from Romania. They met while participating in international dance competitions when both were living and working in Germany. Marius became not only her dance partner but also her support in her personal life.

The couple began dating in the early 2010s and got married in 2014. Together, they participated in various competitions and demonstrated a high level of dancing skill. After moving to the UK, Marius stayed behind the scenes, focusing on teaching and supporting his wife's career. However, he often appears on her social media pages, and the couple regularly share moments from their life together, demonstrating their strong and trusting relationship.

Oti has repeatedly emphasised that it was Marius who helped her believe in herself and move forward during periods of doubt. Their union is an example of a partnership that combines love, respect and a shared passion for the art of dance.

Daughter

In December 2023, Oti and Marius became parents to a baby girl. With the birth of her child, Oti took a short break from television to devote herself fully to her family. Although the couple has not yet revealed the girl's name, it is known that the birth was an important event in the dancer's life. In an interview, Oti shared that motherhood has changed her outlook on life, making her more calm and confident. She also emphasises that she wants to raise her daughter in an atmosphere of love, creativity and support.

Net worth

Thanks to her successful career, Oti Mabuse has achieved impressive financial success. According to British media estimates, her net worth is between £1.5 and £5 million. A significant portion of her income comes from participating in popular shows such as:

1. Strictly Come Dancing.
2. Dancing on Ice.
3. The Greatest Dancer.

Oti also earns money as a children's book author, TV presenter, brand ambassador and entrepreneur. Through her registered companies Pure Mabuse Entertainment Ltd and Lionshead Property Investments Ltd, the star owns assets including real estate and intellectual property.

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