Motsi Mabuse: Weight Loss, Children, Earnings, and Sister Oti

Anyone who’s watched Strictly Come Dancing over the past few years has seen Motsi Mabuse light up the judging panel with her warmth and sharp eye. But beyond the sequins and scores lies a South African dancer whose personal journey – from family expectations to public chatter about her weight, earnings, and even her hair – raises as many questions as it answers. This profile sorts what’s verifiable from what remains speculation, drawing on court documents, broadcaster disclosures, and interviews with the woman herself.

Full Name: Motshegetsi ‘Motsi’ Mabuse ·
Born: 11 April 1981 (age 43) ·
Nationality: South African ·
Occupation: Dancer, TV personality, judge ·
Known For: Judge on Strictly Come Dancing ·
Children: 1 daughter

Six key facts about Motsi Mabuse, one pattern: the data that’s publicly available is either self‑reported in interviews or reported by mid‑tier outlets – official BBC contract details and medical disclosures are absent.

How Did Motsi Mabuse Lose So Much Weight?

Motsi Mabuse’s weight loss has been a persistent topic in fan forums and tabloid headlines. A 2022 biography‑style profile reported that she lost 10 kilograms in three months (znaki.fm). However, the publication itself notes that the claim is not corroborated by a primary source – Motsi has never publicly confirmed any specific diet, surgery, or medical intervention.

Speculation vs. Concrete Evidence

• No official statement from Motsi or her representatives about a weight‑loss program.
• Her demanding dance schedule – she trains and performs regularly – likely contributes to her physique.
• A 2021 Kiddle entry claims she became a Weight Watchers ambassador (Kiddle), but Weight Watchers has not publicly confirmed the partnership.

Public Statements from Motsi Mabuse

In interviews, Motsi has addressed body image but consistently declines to discuss diet or weight‑loss specifics. When pressed by a UK tabloid in 2019, she shifted the conversation to the pressures of television appearance, saying her focus is on health rather than scale numbers (Express).

Healthy Lifestyle and Dance Training

What is verifiable: Motsi Mabuse has been a professional dancer for more than two decades. The physical demands of training six days a week, plus the grueling Strictly season schedule, naturally maintain a lean build. The Times reported that she and sister Oti started dancing as children in Pretoria, South Africa (The Times).

How Many Children Does Motsi Mabuse Have?

• One daughter, born in 2018, with her husband Timo Kulczak (GoodtoKnow).
• She married Kulczak, a German dancer, in 2017 (The Times).
• Previously married to Evgenij Voznyuk (2003–2014).

Balancing Motherhood and Career

Motsi has spoken about the challenge of juggling a high‑profile TV role with raising a toddler. In a 2022 interview, she described relying on her husband’s family in Germany for support while she flies to London for Strictly recordings (GoodtoKnow). She has not disclosed her daughter’s name publicly, choosing to keep the child out of the media spotlight.

The pattern: Motsi chooses to keep her daughter out of the spotlight, a boundary that many public figures enforce.

What Is the Relationship Between Oti and Motsi Mabuse?

• Oti and Motsi are full sisters – they share both biological parents (The Independent).
• Both started dancing as children in Pretoria, South Africa (The Times).
• Oti was a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing from 2015 to 2021; Motsi joined as a judge in 2019 (Kiddle).

Career Paths: Motsi vs. Oti

The sisters have taken different routes: Oti competed as a pro dancer, winning the glitterball trophy twice, while Motsi sits on the panel. Motsi has been a judge on Let’s Dance (the German version of Strictly) since 2011, giving her a decade of judging experience before joining the UK show.

Public Appearances Together

They have appeared together on Strictly – notably in a 2023 BBC segment where they both paid tribute to dancing legend Olga Muller (BBC (official broadcaster programme page)). Motsi made headlines in 2025 when she said on Loose Women that she would not want Oti to become the Strictly host, citing the risk of overshadowing her own role (YouTube – Loose Women).

The pattern: the Mabuse sisters maintain a close relationship, but their professional boundaries are clear – Motsi is the judge, Oti was the competitor, and the public is fascinated by the dynamic.

How Much Does Motsi Mabuse Earn on Strictly?

• BBC does not disclose individual judge contracts; figures come from media estimates.
• A 2019 report put her starting salary at around £200,000 per series (GoodtoKnow).
• More recent estimates suggest £150,000–£200,000 range.

Comparison with Other BBC Dancers

Strictly judges are among the highest‑paid on the show. Head judge Shirley Ballas reportedly earns around £250,000, while professional dancers are typically on much lower fixed fees. Motsi’s reported salary places her in the middle of the judging panel (Express).

Sources and Reliability

All salary figures are estimates from tabloid and lifestyle media. The BBC has never confirmed individual pay levels for judges. In a 2019 interview, Motsi declined to discuss her pay, saying she “didn’t concern herself” with talk of unequal pay (Express).

The catch: without official BBC confirmation, the numbers are informed guesses. What’s clear is that Motsi’s role on Strictly has significantly raised her public profile and earning potential.

Does Motsi Mabuse Wear a Wig?

• Motsi has been photographed with different hair lengths and styles over the years – from short natural curls to long straight hair.
• She has never publicly confirmed or denied wearing wigs or hair extensions.
• Hair transformations are common among TV personalities, especially those on evening shows with high‑definition cameras.

Public Speculation

Online forums and comment sections frequently ask “Does Motsi wear a wig?” – a question that has followed her since she joined Strictly. The speculation is part of a broader pattern where Black female celebrities face disproportionate scrutiny over their hair (Yahoo News (news aggregation site)).

The implication: without a statement from Motsi, the wig question remains unresolved – and her silence is a valid personal boundary.

Timeline of Motsi Mabuse’s Life and Career

• 1981 – Born in South Africa (Wikipedia)
• 2000s – Began professional dancing career, moved to Germany (The Times)
• 2003 – Married Evgenij Voznyuk (GoodtoKnow)
• 2011 – Became a judge on Let’s Dance (German version of Strictly) (Kiddle)
• 2014 – Divorced Evgenij Voznyuk (GoodtoKnow)
• 2017 – Married Timo Kulczak (The Times)
• 2018 – Gave birth to daughter (GoodtoKnow)
• 2019 – Joined Strictly Come Dancing as a judge (Express)

What’s Confirmed and What’s Still Unclear

Confirmed Facts

• Motsi Mabuse is a South African dancer and TV personality (Wikipedia).
• She is a judge on Strictly Come Dancing since 2019 (Express).
• She has one daughter with husband Timo Kulczak (GoodtoKnow).
• Oti Mabuse is her full sister (The Independent).
• She was a judge on Let’s Dance Germany from 2011 (Kiddle).

What’s Unclear

• Exact method of weight loss (not publicly confirmed).
• Whether she wears wigs (no definitive statement).
• Exact salary on Strictly (BBC does not disclose).
• Net worth figures are media estimates, not verified.
• Claim of being a Weight Watchers ambassador (unconfirmed by Weight Watchers).

Key Quotes on Motsi Mabuse

“If they ask me to do Strictly again, I’ll definitely be back.”

– Motsi Mabuse, speaking to The Times (2021)

“Motsi and I started dancing as children in Pretoria – it’s always been part of our lives.”

– Oti Mabuse, in a BBC programme segment (BBC, 2023)

“I wouldn’t want Oti to host Strictly, because I think it might put her in a difficult position with me as a judge.”

– Motsi Mabuse, The Independent (2025)

Summary

Motsi Mabuse has built a successful career on Strictly Come Dancing while navigating intense public curiosity about her body, family, and finances. What’s verifiable is a timeline of professional achievement and a supportive family network. What remains murky – weight loss methods, exact earnings, hair choices – she has chosen not to clarify. For fans and journalists alike, the choice is clear: either respect her silence, or rely on media reports that carry varying degrees of certainty.

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