24 • DANCING TIMES Strictly Fabulous

24 • DANCING TIMES Strictly fabulous Marianka Swain chats to German Professional Latin Champion said she was “excited to watch them new Strictly Come Dancing with now husband Evgenij Voznyuk. all again after two weeks, to see their She also became first a competitor development. I’ve been getting little judge Motsi Mabuse and then a judge of a different sort on bits from social media, but they’re Strictly’s German version, Let’s Dance. careful not to give too much away, Despite her prior experience, so I can’t wait to see the result.” auditioning for the UK version of BBC viewers got a first proper look Strictly was a long process, she notes: A dedicated teacher, with her own at the latest addition to the Strictly “It took months. I got the news here dance school in Germany, Mabuse Come Dancing judging panel on the in London – we were filming Celebrity appreciates how the learning process September launch show, as Motsi Gogglebox, so I was with my sisters is encapsulated on Strictly. “That’s the Mabuse shimmied her way onto the [Oti and Phemelo]. It was a real family biggest reward for the dancers – getting dance floor in the most incredible affair.” The hardest part was “keeping through to their celebrities and helping voluminous red tulle skirt. “Make an it a secret – you’re so excited and them progress. It’s good for your soul. entrance, baby!” she laughs. “It’s one bursting with energy, but you have Yes, some people have their limits, of the best parts of being on Strictly: but even they make steps forward; it’s you can choose these amazing outfits just a different percentage to others. and get all glamorous for the show, Everyone should dance, it’s so and then go back to normal important; it should be standard. again the rest of the week.” It’s great for your health – She also impressed with a there are studies showing dynamic performance it reduces the chance of in the judges’ number, developing so many though admits illnesses, as it’s good she was a little for your heart and apprehensive fitness. Plus doing initially: “I the same thing in hadn’t danced the gym every for a while time is boring, but because I’d had with dancing, you the baby – I get new routines, was with my new music, and daughter in you meet people ‘Mummyville’. and have fun.” So getting up, When it putting the dance comes to judging shoes back on, and those Strictly the dance dress, performances, Mabuse and moving my body is “looking forward again as a dancer, it to them wowing us! I felt different, but it was care about dance steps and so much fun to do; I loved technique too, but what gets working with everyone.” me really fired up is what I feel Born in Mankwe, now part when I watch the dance. I hope they of South Africa, and brought up in excite me.” The dance style she’s most Pretoria, 38-year-old Mabuse and her looking forward to is contemporary: younger sisters – including current to keep quiet. It’s so fantastic to share “The limits for dancers are a bit wider, Strictly pro Oti – soon caught the it with everyone now and show how they can express themselves more, and dancing bug, but committing to happy I am to be part of Strictly.” it comes with a story. I hope we’ll be ballroom was a big decision. “My dad As for this year’s celebrity line-up, able to see what they feel – that’s the was a judge, and I definitely worked Mabuse says she’s interested to see number one point. Technique is key towards a career in law,” explains how everyone fares, since “it’s all new too, but you can fix that; being able to Mabuse. “However, if you’re not to me. Though on the launch show, show your heart and pass on a message passionate about something, you there were a few people in particular when you dance, that’s magic.” should not do it. My passion just I thought could do some beautiful Since she also competed on Let’s wasn’t there, and you need that to dancing, like Karim [Zeroual] and Dance, Mabuse thinks she’ll be able to succeed.” Instead, she pursued her Emma [Barton].” We spoke just before offer critiques with empathy. “When love of dance, competing successfully the first competition show, and Mabuse you’ve been there, you have a different with Timo Kulczak – including a feeling for the couples as they’re top 12 finish in Amateur Latin at the Above: Motsi Mabuse dancing with standing in front of you. You know the Blackpool Dance Festival – and becoming Johannes Radebe on Strictly Come Dancing. pressure they’re under, and that makes ➣ Photographs: Left RAY BURMISTON, courtesy of THE BBC. WWW.DANCING-TIMES.CO.UK • NOVEMBER 2019 • 25 Right KIERON MCCARRON, courtesy of THE BBC. Strictly fabulous you choose your words very carefully people, because you can never make when she does come over to see – I’m definitely not the mean girl.” everyone happy, so I’m here to make her niece, she’s so tired. It’s great She’s hugely enthusiastic about her sure we all have a good time, and really now having more time together and fellow judges, too. “Everyone has been focus on the dancers and the dancing.” getting to enjoy each other’s work.” so welcoming. It’s very important we Dedication clearly runs in the all get along, because it’s not about One of those dancers will be her Mabuse family, and that’s the main us; if you think that, then you’ve sister Oti, competing with last- advice Strictly’s new judge has to offer lost the whole point of it. There are minute replacement Kelvin Fletcher the 2019 celebrities. “They’ve signed so many people involved in making after Jamie Laing was forced to quit a contract that goes up to Christmas, this show a success, it would be through injury. The siblings have and these three months should be the egotistical to put yourself in the centre. been in this position before on Let’s hardest three months ever! Put in the It’s important that we communicate Dance, so Mabuse isn’t worried. “It’s hours, and when they think they’ve well and have good energy.” not difficult; it’s just about being done enough, it’s not enough. You Nevertheless, as another successful professional. She’s there doing her have to give everything. What calms female ballroom pro on the judging dance, and choreographing – and the nerves is knowing you’re prepared panel, alongside Shirley Ballas, and as a we know she’s good at that, she’s – for some people that’s doing two woman of colour, Mabuse will certainly doing big musicals now. She’s hours, for some it’s 48 hours. Work, be an inspiration to many watching. very, very talented, and then it’s work, work, and know there’s no “If people see me that way, that’s not me judging Oti; it’s a judge easy elevator; you might slip down a great – and I hope I get to show me, speaking about the celebrity who’s stair or two, but keep climbing. It’s so completely me – but I can’t try to please learning to dance and how the worth it when you get to the top.” n couple have performed that week. Above: Motsi Mabuse with the rest of the “Away from the floor, it is lovely You can find Marianka Swain’s Strictly judges – Bruno Tonioli, Shirley to have lots of family time. Oti has weekly Strictly Speaking blog Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood. been really busy this past year, and on dancing-times.co.uk. Photograph: RAY BURMISTON, courtesy of THE BBC. WWW.DANCING-TIMES.CO.UK • NOVEMBER 2019 • 27.

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