Oti Mabuse, the professional dancer and former Strictly Come Dancing star, has spoken out about the criticism she faced for participating in I’m A Celebrity last year, just a year after welcoming her daughter. The 34 year old, who finished fourth in the series, spent several weeks away from her family.
The star welcomed her daughter in November 2023, ten weeks earlier than expected. Oti and her husband Marius have chosen to keep their daughter’s name private, and she was able to come home on Christmas Eve 2023. Throughout the show, Oti often spoke fondly of her family and had an emotional reunion with her husband in the jungle towards the end of the series.
In a chat with The Sun, Oti shared her experience in the jungle: “That’s the thing that I loved about the jungle – you were in the middle of nowhere, there was no to-do list. “There were no responsibilities except to cook the rice and beans, and start a fire. My mind felt so rested and really content. Real life is not like that.”
However, despite the positive aspects, Oti admitted that she felt judged by people outside the show. “These people don’t know me or my relationship or my home situation, reports the Mirror.
“She questioned the public’s reaction, saying, ‘How could you leave your baby?'”, while pointing out that there were dads, including Danny Jones and Alan Halsall, in the camp.
Oti shared her heartfelt experiences from her time in the jungle, including the emotional moment she discussed the tragic loss of her brother Neo. She reflected on her personal growth and how the show encouraged her to be more open: “I had a lot of growth in the jungle. I never thought in a million years I’d go on the show and feel good about opening up,” she told the publication.
Recently, Oti previously hinted at the end of Dancing On Ice, with a poignant Instagram post, where she celebrated her four-year journey on the show: “The BIG FINAL is here! Four years of Dancing on Ice – what an incredible journey! From jaw-dropping performances to unforgettable moments, I love every single second of being part of this magical show,” she wrote. It was then announced the show would be ending after 19 years.
She concluded with a touching tribute to everyone involved in the show and its fans: “A massive THANK YOU to the entire team, my fellow judges, the pro skaters, and of course, the brave celebrities who have given their all on the ice. And to YOU, the amazing viewers – your support means everything!”