Professional dancer Oti Mabuse has voiced skepticism about whether fellow "Strictly Come Dancing" alum AJ Pritchard's personality would translate well to an American audience as he pursues a spot on "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro." Mabuse suggested that Pritchard, who previously competed on the BBC show from 2016 to 2019, "rubbed people up the wrong way" during his time in the UK.
Mabuse's comments stem from Pritchard's past remarks advocating for more British dancers on "Strictly." In an interview with The Sun, Pritchard stated, "I would love to see more British dancers on the show. We're in the UK, I'm proud to be British, and there are so many fantastic boys and girls out there who would love the opportunity."
Responding to these comments, Mabuse pointed out that many of "Strictly's" most popular professional dancers have not been British, citing examples such as Aljaz, Giovanni, Janette, Vito, Nikita, Alexis, Katya, Vincent Simone, Ola Jordan, Kristina Rihanoff, and Natalie Lowe. She argued that "Strictly" is a global brand and that its international professional roster contributes to its appeal.
"The most popular pros on Strictly have not been British," Mabuse stated. "So you can imagine that for a lot of people, that would have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way." She added that Pritchard's departure from "Strictly" and subsequent comments might have also alienated some fans.
Mabuse questioned if Pritchard's personality might be more "palatable" for an American audience. "Do I think he should now try to go for the American one? Yeah, maybe that one might work out better for him," she said. However, she also emphasized that individuals should be encouraged to pursue their dreams without offense.
Mabuse noted that AJ Pritchard has a connection to the "Dancing With the Stars" judging panel, specifically mentioning Shirley Ballas, who was one of his "main teachers" since childhood. Ballas and her son, Mark Ballas, are set to judge "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro."
Mabuse expressed gratitude for the opportunities "Strictly" provided her, leading to roles such as head judge on its Irish iteration. She also suggested that many dancers view the U.S. "Dancing with the Stars" as the "mothership" of the franchise, offering significant opportunities.
Despite her reservations, Mabuse wished Pritchard good luck in his pursuit of the U.S. show, concluding, "But other than that, I wish him good luck. I genuinely, genuinely wish him good luck, and I think go on, AJ, smash it."
Reports indicate that Mabuse and Pritchard did not always have a harmonious relationship during their time on "Strictly Come Dancing," with tensions noted by co-stars. Mabuse's recent comments appear to reflect ongoing behind-the-scenes dynamics that were not previously public knowledge.