Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Oti Mabuse has candidly shared how her time on the BBC series impacted her marriage. The 34-year-old, who is a two-time winner of Strictly and now a judge on Dancing on Ice, opened up about becoming emotionally disconnected from her husband, Marius Lepure, during her intense involvement in the dance competition back in 2014.
In a conversation with celebrity relationship coach Paul Carrick Brunson on his We Need To Talk podcast, Mabuse revealed that her dedication to Strictly consumed her thoughts and energy, leaving little room for communication with her partner. She expressed how fixated she had become on winning the glitterball trophy, to the point where her marriage took a back seat. Mabuse emphasised, “It’s all you think about 24/7. It’s all you do. You’re not really 100 per cent in the marriage, because this is gold. The trophy is handmade, by the way, and you’re fixated on it.”
Mabuse also admitted to not engaging with her close friends and family during the initial years of her involvement in the show. She shared, “I didn’t communicate with my husband. It was just this one goal that I wanted to achieve so, so, so much.” Her husband, Marius Lepure, who is also in the dance industry, understood the demands of the show on Mabuse. Lepure remarked, “I knew what it takes to be a successful dancer and choreographer in a show like that, so it was nothing new. But obviously it’s tough and it hurts and it’s not the easiest time, but you see the end of the tunnel.”
Despite the challenges, Mabuse went on to lift the glitterball trophy twice – once with Kelvin Fletcher in 2019 and again with Bill Bailey in 2020. The accomplished dancer revealed that she faced moments of self-doubt and immense pressure, leading to tears in the shower where she felt insufficient in her role and representation. However, she credited her husband for being a source of support during her lowest moments, emphasizing the importance of family, friends, and personal identity beyond her career.
Mabuse and Lepure initially met as professional dance partners before getting married in 2014. Their journey together led them to announce the arrival of their first child, a daughter born on Christmas Day in 2023. Reflecting on the challenges and achievements of her time on Strictly, Mabuse highlighted the pivotal role her husband played in offering her reassurance and perspective amid the competitive environment of the show.