Oti Mabuse is an energetic ray of sunshine as we catch up with her, and some fellow Loose ladies, to talk motherhood, ‘me-time’ and realising you ‘can’t do it all’
Former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse has been a panellist on ITV chat show Loose Women since last April, but has slotted in effortlessly- and as she tells us in an exclusive Notebook interview alongside Christine Lampard, GK Barry and Brenda Edwards, it’s like ‘girl therapy’.
The dancer, who regales us with some behind-the-scenes singing mid-shoot of Aretha Franklin’s I Say A Little Prayer, is not only busy as a Loose panellist, but is flying back and forth to Dublin where she’s a judge on Dancing With the Stars.
The 35-year-old South African, who has a daughter, 2, with her Romanian dancer husband Marius Lepere, is full of beans as she opens up on motherhood, her jungle experience and why being a Loose Women has helped her leave her ‘insecurities at the door’…
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Hi, Oti. It’s International Women’s Day on 8 March. How important is it to have a day dedicated to women?
So important. It took so long in my native South Africa for women to even have the right to vote. We’re mums, sisters, aunts, professionals — we deserve to be celebrated. Sometimes my husband Marius says, “I don’t know how you do it.” I say, “Babe, it’s because I’m a woman.”
What does Loose Women mean to you? I’m more aware of what’s going on in the world and there’s so much love between us, even if we’re not agreeing. Our morning debriefs are like girl therapy. We leave our insecurities at the door, when we’re good or when we’re scared – like when I admit I don’t know what the future looks like for my daughter.
I talk about everything. My sister Motsi sees clips online and goes, “Why are you talking about that?” Marius laughs at me and goes, “What would you do if I wasn’t a topic on Loose Women?”
How was doing I’m A Celebrity in 2024 with fellow Loose lady GK Barry? It was amazing. Grace is so honest in how she lives life. She has that youthful joy, which I love. And she’s hilarious as hell. We had beautiful conversations and I learned a lot about being vulnerable. Everyone’s going through something – that’s what I learned.
Was it hard as a new mum, leaving your baby for the jungle? It was, but she doesn’t remember. I wouldn’t leave her now, at two. I go to work and she’s crying for me. Back then, I was under the impression I could do it all, but you can’t, you burn out.
I was so tired and the jungle gave me a total reset. Dean McCullough did a lot of the trials. I didn’t do much for the first week except sleep. All the other celebs were lovely. They were like, “She’s a new mum, let her rest.”
How has motherhood changed you? A lot. She’s the reason I do everything. I want to be a good role model. I want to make sure her relationships with women, and men, are strong, and I hope when she’s older she can come to me about literally anything.
She’s such a daddy’s girl, though. But I love that she is. If Marius isn’t around, she can do it all. When he’s there, she pulls this little knowing face — to me — and asks him to do everything for her! She’s so funny.
How’s judging on Dancing With The Stars going in Ireland? I’m loving it so much. And I’m still doing my weekly social media posts on things I’ve learned about Irish people. I’ve even learned some Irish phrases from my taxi driver. Our week is so busy with my little one doing gymnastics, swimming, art classes — I need to tire her out — then on Saturday I travel to Dublin and the weekend is mine.
It’s important to have some “me” time… I love being a mum but it’s so nice. There’s a flight attendant on Aer Lingus who knows me at this point — and gives me an upgrade every week. I love working on the show as I’ve watched people dance, then I get back to the hotel and have a bath and a wine and it’s heaven, I’m telling you!
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player
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