Strictly's Motsi Mabuse's 'motto' with husband as 'competition atmosphere causes stress'

express.co.uk:

"For me, it was about survival. Now I’m older, I just love to watch beautiful dancing, and that competitive atmosphere gives me so much stress."I remember that feeling of never feeling good enough, even when you win.That is a pressure I don’t want to put kids under."The dancer confirmed she chooses to watch Strictly Come Dancing - which is now in its 20th season - for entertainment purposes, and the "fun" and joy it brings.In the interview with Big Issue from last week, she spoke about her upbringing and her own development as a professional dancer.She stressed the utility of her hobbies, as well as her competitive nature, in helping her escape trouble while growing up in apartheid-era South Africa.Motsi told how she was always "active" and "sporty", enjoying running and dancing.This meant she was particularly expert when it came to "running away" in difficult situations.She makes clear her upbringing and early life was a case of "survival of the fittest."She stressed that it led to a desperate "need" to shine and outgrow those around her.Motsi was born in Pretoria, in South Africa, where she had studied engineering at university.Despite her parents' wishes to become a working professional for a formal company, she decided instead to forge her own path.Motsi eventually found fame in 2007 after moving to Germany on that year's season of Let's Dance.In 2017, she made her first appearance on Strictly, replacing judge Darcey Bussell.As of that same year, she has been married to Ukrainian dancer, Evgenij.The latest season of BBC's Strictly will air tonight at 6:30pm, and sees judges Motsi, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas watch over a roster of professional dance pairs who compete to impress.