Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse opens up about her 'inner childhood trauma'

Motsi Mabuse has become a firm favourite with Strictly Come Dancing viewers, but away from the glitz and glamour of the ballroom, she has faced her own struggles

Motsi Mabuse couldn't help but chuckle about her dynamic TV presence, saying, "Sometimes I watch the show back and think, 'Who is that woman?' because I'm so different from that!" As Strictly celebrates its 20th anniversary, the judge's enthusiasm remains as infectious as ever, hinting at an even more electrifying season ahead.

Speaking exclusively to OK!, Motsi gushed about the milestone year: "Twenty years of mesmerising dancing, outstanding outfits and beautiful footwork it's an honour and a privilege to be a part of such an iconic show, especially in its 20th year. We've got lots of surprises up our sleeves to make sure this year is even bigger, better and more fabulous than before."

Five years ago, when Motsi stepped onto the Strictly stage, she filled the shoes of beloved former judge Darcey Bussell. Despite their contrasting styles, Motsi's expertise and insight have been evident since her debut.

Her credentials are impeccable, having judged Germany's Let's Dance the German equivalent of Strictly since 2011, and previously participating as a professional dancer for two seasons. Motsi reminisced about how she might have spoken her Strictly Come Dancing gig into existence during a chat with her sister, Oti. "I learned that Darcey was stopping, so I called Oti and was like, 'What's happening over there?'" she shared.

"She said she didn't know, so I joked that they should call me, and we laughed. Three weeks later, I called her back and said, 'They called me!' and we laughed again! Being called for Strictly was like the hard work paid off," Motsi added, feeling acknowledged at last.

During her initial three seasons on Strictly, Motsi had the joy of sharing the spotlight with Oti, who dazzled as a professional dancer. For the sisters, who attended dance classes together in their youth in apartheid South Africa, it seemed like destiny had come full circle.

Reflecting on their childhood, Motsi explained the protective instincts of their mother. "My mum thought we'd be away from the streets if we were dancing," she said.

"She made us go dancing to protect us from teen pregnancy, drugs, alcohol. She tried to protect us from the racism in South Africa. As kids, we knew people hated us because of our skin colour. When you grow up in South Africa you're told you're not pretty, especially if you have dark skin."

At the tender age of 19, Motsi had her sights set on a legal career to follow in her father's footsteps, yet she threw everyone for a loop by relocating to Germany in 2000 with her first husband and dance ally, Timo Kulczak. "As time went by, they kind of relaxed," she quipped about her parents eventually coming round.

In her new German home, Motsi kept treading the professional dancing boards, opened her very own dance studio, and tied the knot anew this time with former twirling partner Evgenij Voznyuk.

Now a resident of Germany, Motsi has settled with Evgenij and their young daughter, steadfastly keeping the little one away from prying public eyes as they have never officially revealed her name. It's a double gig for Motsi, sometimes judging Let's Dance while simultaneously shooting Strictly.

"I don't see it as a problem," she states nonchalantly, admitting immunity to the hectic pace, though she concedes there are days she wishes for more shuteye. Nonetheless, becoming a mum has prompted a rethink in balancing her work with family life.

The Strictly judge opened up about her life transformation after motherhood, confessing, "I always work hard and before I had my baby, I would work like crazy. Even in the beginning, I thought, 'I can do all of this," But now, she admits her perspective has shifted: "Now I've realised what I'm going to say no and yes to."

With a packed schedule, Motsi reveals her secret to summoning her "showgirl" alter ego for the show: "Music, music, music," she says. "I have to elevate myself to that girl who comes out on Saturday nights. I listen to artists like Beyonce, Tina Turner strong women.

"Motsi on a Saturday night? I can't be that all the time! " she explains. "So, I put her in the cellar and bring her back out on the weekend! I'm a bit lower energy and just let things flow."

Reflecting on her sister Oti's departure from Strictly in 2022, Motsi describes the experience as "difficult". Yet, they remain in close contact, especially during the show's season: "Sometimes, Oti's like, 'Fix your hair!', or, 'What did you just say?'" Motsi shares with a laugh.

She also speaks warmly of her connection with fellow judge Shirley Ballas : "Shirley and I are always writing to and checking up on each other. I have a lot of respect for Shirley," she expresses. "She loves women who are capable of having their own energy, because that is Shirley. She respects when she can see someone's working hard and has a good energy."

Motsi is on a mission to champion women, utilizing her Strictly spotlight to empower young girls seeking role models. She's rocked African hairstyles on the show to inspire viewers and has also gone for straight looks to encourage them to embrace their choice.

Overwhelmed by the response, Motsi shared, "They take time to write to me, to send me notes... they copy my hairstyles," reflecting on how younger fans emulate her. "I have put on African hairstyles, and I've shown the diversity of hair, but I've also worn it straight to say, 'Do whatever you want!'"

Already making waves with her style in this year's Strictly Come Dancing, Motsi said, "I do enjoy the glamour. I've learned so much about what I love, and fashion, and make-up, and who I am."

As the BBC show celebrates its 20th anniversary, Motsi reflects on its long-lasting appeal: "I think everybody has an opinion about dancing," she considers. "I feel like everybody has a connection to music; music moves us all in a way. And it's one of the shows that you can trust that you will be able to watch with the whole family. It brings us together, and also it offers escapism. For a few hours, you get to just forget what's going on in the world and just enjoy that moment."

And as she takes the seat with the rest of the judging panel, how does Motsi feel when she thinks back to that little girl dancing with her sister in South Africa?

"My inner child had so much trauma growing up in South Africa. I never thought I was beautiful. No one ever told me I was beautiful. Actually, it was the opposite," she confessed. "So even seeing things like the photos on a photoshoot, or me on Strictly , I look through the eyes of that child and think, 'Wow, is that me? Is this happening to me?' I think to myself, 'Little girl, can you see how things have turned out?'"

Celebrating 20 years of Strictly Come Dancing

• In this special commemorative edition of OK!, we celebrate two glorious decades of one of the nation's favourite TV shows
• As the new series kicks off, we look back at the winners who have danced their way to the top of Britain's sparkliest dance competition and remember the iconic performances that have provided moments of joy, tears and laughter
• We also pay tribute to Strictly's hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the hard-working professional dancers and, of course, legendary judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke

Click here to purchase your edition for £9.99.