Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse is taking a step forward on behalf of minority groups – and says the dance world needs to celebrate black bodies.
The ballroom star grew up in South Africa and said there was “always a pressure” to look a certain way.
Motsi, 39, explained: “I was the only black girl who went from the amateurs to the professional. Of course I could not look like all the other girls.
“In the ballroom world, even now it’s become so ‘This is the sort of body the dancer is’. My message to all dancers is: ‘If you are different don’t see it as a deficit. Be special’.”
Talking to fellow Strictly dancer Janette Manrara on Instagram, Motsi added: “Not enough people told me ‘You are special the way you are’. I had to be that person for myself – which makes you tough.”
Motsi, sister of Strictly champ Oti, is creating a new YouTube chat show to tackle inequality, race issues and fairer terms for women.
US chat queen Oprah Winfrey is her inspiration and Motsi adds: “We need to open the doors.”
