As a prize-winning performer of 30 years standing, and a former star of German television, Motsi Mabuse‘s credentials could not have been more impressive when she was chosen to become a judge on Strictly Come Dancing.
The South African-born dancer is, however, fed up that people define her by her skin colour.
‘What I really dislike is when people are, like, “She got the gig on Strictly because she’s black,”‘ Mabuse says.
‘It takes away from my experience, and it takes away my quality, and it takes away everything that I’ve been through and marched on through to be there.
‘You just see the label, “Oh, she’s black”, or, “She’s the first Strictly black judge”.
Motsi Mabuse’s credentials could not have been more impressive when she was chosen to become a judge on Strictly Come Dancing
Mabuse is married to Ukrainian Dancer Evgenij Voznyuk, 39, with whom she runs a dance school near Frankfurt, and their inter-racial union comes with stereotyping
‘It takes away 15 years of experience as a judge and it takes away 30 years of my experience as a dancer.’
Mabuse, 42, took over from Dame Darcey Bussell on the judging panel of the hit BBC dance show in 2019.
Speaking on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, she adds: ‘Don’t forget they are qualified and bring talent to be in that space — otherwise you wouldn’t be there or have other accolades.’
Mabuse is married to Ukrainian Dancer Evgenij Voznyuk, 39, with whom she runs a dance school near Frankfurt, and their inter-racial union comes with stereotyping.
‘When I travel with my husband and we go on a plane, he’ll get through and then I come, and they’ll stop me and say, “Passport”, because they don’t figure out we’re together.
‘So I ask, why are they asking for my passport and not his? What’s the difference? That’s someone judging you for your skin colour.’
Mabuse’s comments follow the row over Fiona Bruce’s remarks on Question Time. She apologised after referring to an audience member as a ‘black guy’.
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