Oti Mabuse


Otlile "Oti" Mabuse is a South African professional Latin American and ballroom dancer. She is best known as a professional dancer on the British television series, Strictly Come Dancing, and its German equivalent, Let's Dance. She was a judge on The Greatest Dancer.

Early life and education

Mabuse was born in Pretoria, South Africa, and studied civil engineering at university before embarking on a career in professional ballroom dancing. Her elder sister Motsi Mabuse is also a professional ballroom dancer and has participated in the German series Let's Dance both as a professional dancer and as a judge.

Dancing career

Mabuse won the South African Latin American Championship eight times, after which she moved to Germany to broaden her dancing horizons. She has earned a number of titles in her dancing career; including:
In 2015, Mabuse appeared as a professional dancer on the eighth season of Let's Dance, the German version of Strictly Come Dancing.
She was partnered with singer Daniel Küblböck. The couple were eliminated in week 9, finishing in sixth place.
In 2016, Mabuse returned as a professional dancer for the ninth season of Let's Dance. She was partnered with television presenter Niels Ruf. The couple were the first to be eliminated in week 2, leaving in 14th place.

Season 8: with celebrity partner Daniel Küblböck

Season 9: with celebrity partner Niels Ruf

''Strictly Come Dancing''

In 2015, Mabuse appeared as a professional on the 13th series of Strictly Come Dancing. She was partnered with Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo. The couple were eliminated in Week 3, finishing in 14th place. That year, she also participated in the Children in Need and Christmas specials of the show, in which she partnered with actors Jack Ashton and Tom Chambers respectively. In 2016, Mabuse was partnered with former Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac for the show's 14th series. The couple reached the final and finished as runners-up. For the show's 15th series in 2017, she was partnered with Paralympic sprinter Jonnie Peacock, they were eliminated in Week 9 in 8th place. She was paired with England cricketer Graeme Swann for the show's 16th series, they were eliminated in Week 10 in 7th place. In 2019, for her fifth stint on the show, she was partnered by former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, who replaced her originally announced partner, Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing, who had to withdraw from the show after sustaining a foot injury when dancing on the launch show. They went on to become the winners of series.
SeriesPartnerPlaceAverage
Score
13Anthony Ogogo14th19.7
14Danny Mac2nd36.6
15Jonnie Peacock8th25.8
16Graeme Swann7th26.0
17Kelvin Fletcher1st36.4

Series 13: with celebrity partner Anthony Ogogo

Series 14: with celebrity partner Danny Mac

Series 15: with celebrity partner Jonnie Peacock

Series 16: with celebrity partner Graeme Swann

Mabuse was originally paired with Jamie Laing, however he had to pull out due to a foot injury whilst the recording of the launch show. Laing was replaced with Kelvin Fletcher, just before the start of the live shows.
*Ribeiro judged for Tonioli

Dance tours and other professional engagements

Mabuse took part in the national Strictly Come Dancing - The Live Tour in 2017 with her celebrity partner Danny Mac. They were voted the winners of more individual shows than any other couple by the audience.
In August 2017, Mabuse and Ian Waite announced a 60-date 2018 UK tour An Audience With. She was a contestant on an episode of in 2017.
In October 2018, Mabuse announced she would be teaching at Donahey's Dancing with The Stars Weekends in 2019.
In 2019, Mabuse became a judge on The Greatest Dancer, alongside Cheryl, Todrick Hall & Matthew Morrison.
In 2019, Mabuse was a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef 2019.
In 2020, Mabuse will be the new host of Boogie Beebies.

Personal life

Mabuse is married to Romanian dancer Marius Iepure.