Desert Island Discs - Oti Mabuse, dancer
Oti Mabuse is a dancer, choreographer and TV talent show judge. She has enjoyed great success on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing and is one of only two professional dancers to win the glitterball trophy twice.
Oti was born in South Africa in 1990, the year that Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and dance was a central part of her life from a very early age: her mother had set up a dance school so that black children could learn ballroom and Latin dancing. Oti followed in the footsteps of her two older sisters, winning dance competitions in South Africa and taking part in international events. She competed in Blackpool when she was just 11 years old, and retains strong memories of the elegant Tower Ballroom and the poor weather.
Oti's father trained as a lawyer and her mother worked in education, and they felt that their youngest daughter needed the security of a professional qualification, so Oti studied civil engineering at university. Shortly before qualifying, she decided to abandon her degree and become a professional ballroom dancer, joining her sister Motsi in Germany.
She first appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 and has recently announced her departure from the show. She lives in London with her husband, the dancer Marius Lepure.
DISC ONE: Lose My Breath by Beyoncé (with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams)
DISC TWO: My Afrikan Dream by Vicky Sampson
DISC THREE: A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men
DISC FOUR: Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross
DISC FIVE: Un-break my Heart by Toni Braxton
DISC SIX: I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman by Britney Spears
DISC SEVEN: It’s My Life by Bon Jovi
DISC EIGHT: Survivor by Destiny’s Child
BOOK CHOICE: Will by Will Smith
LUXURY ITEM: A photo of Oti and her Grandma
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: It’s My Life by Bon Jovi
Presenter Lauren Laverne
Producer Sarah Taylor
Published on Sunday, 3rd April 2022.
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