Oti Mabuse, a judge on *Dancing on Ice*, has shed light on the challenges faced by contestants with previous dance experience when it comes to performing on the icy rink.
Her comments come amid growing complaints from viewers about the perceived advantages of stars with prior dance training,
such as James Jordan and Brendan Cole, who have competed on the popular ITV show.
In an interview ahead of the highly anticipated Movie Week, Oti, who is no stranger to the world of dance as a former *Strictly Come Dancing* professional,
explained that having a background in dance does not always translate into success on the ice.
She noted that, although dance experience can make it easier to pick up choreography and understand music, the physical demands of ice skating present a unique set of challenges.
“When you have dance experience, you’re often taught to straighten your knees and stay on your toes,” Oti explained. “But on ice, you have to do the opposite—you need to bend your knees, flex your feet, and then point them at the end while wearing heavy skates. It’s quite a shift in technique and anatomy.”
Despite this, Oti acknowledged that dance experience can still offer an advantage in some areas, particularly when it comes to learning choreography quickly. However, she pointed out that having a dance background can also lead to increased scrutiny and higher expectations from the public and judges. She said, “If someone has dance experience, people tend to judge them at a different level. They expect more from you, and the sympathy seems to be less. It can be tougher for those with a dance background.”
The issue of dance professionals competing on *Dancing on Ice* has sparked debate among viewers in the past. James Jordan, a former *Strictly Come Dancing* champion, was crowned *Dancing on Ice* winner in 2019. However, his victory was met with criticism from some fans who felt that his extensive dance experience gave him an unfair edge. Similar concerns arose in 2022 when Brendan Cole, another *Strictly* alumni, made it to the final. Both men, known for their polished ballroom skills, were seen by some viewers as having an advantage that other contestants lacked.
Oti’s perspective on this issue is informed not only by her own experience as a dancer but also by her time as a judge on *Dancing on Ice*. She emphasized that while dance experience can make it easier to adapt to the performance aspects of the show, the physicality of ice skating itself is a whole different ball game.
Despite these challenges, Oti has praised some of the standout performances this season. One of her favorite moments came from Brendan Cole’s emotional skate to Harry Styles’ “Falling,” which she described as “the most beautiful, sexy, sensual artistic number” she had seen on the ice. The performance, which involved rain and umbrellas, showcased the effortless flow and continuous movement across the rink, making it a special moment for Oti.
As the new series of *Dancing on Ice* progresses, Oti and her fellow judges continue to assess the performances of the contestants. One of the early standouts this season is *The Traitors* star Mollie Pearce, who impressed with an energetic routine to Olivia Rodrigo’s hit song “Vampire.” Mollie and her partner, Colin Grafton, earned an impressive 29.5 out of 40 points for their performance, placing them at the top of the leaderboard for the night. Fans have already begun to predict Mollie as a potential winner, with many praising her smooth skating and chemistry with her partner.
While Mollie’s performance has caught the attention of fans, the first couple to be eliminated this season was Chelsee and Andy, who were sent home after landing at the bottom of the leaderboard. In a change to the format, there was no skate-off for the elimination, which added an unexpected twist to the competition.
As the competition heats up, it’s clear that *Dancing on Ice* continues to challenge contestants in new and exciting ways. For stars with previous dance experience, the pressure to excel is high, but as Oti Mabuse reminds us, the ice rink is a very different kind of stage. Whether experienced dancers or novices, all the contestants must learn to master the unique demands of skating in order to succeed.
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