Former “Strictly Come Dancing” Star Highlights Racial Profiling Incident at UK Border

Oti Mabuse, a renowned television personality and former star of “Strictly Come Dancing,” has spoken out about an incident involving her husband, Marius Iepure, at a UK border control. During an interview with Hits Radio presenter Fleur East, Mabuse revealed that her husband was quizzed by border officials and asked to prove his paternity to their child.

The conversation, part of a Black History Month segment titled “Raising the Next Generation,” delved into the complexities of raising children in diverse cultural settings and the significance of confronting racial biases. Mabuse recalled the moment, recounting, “He was asked at border control, ‘Show me proof that this is your child.’ He had never been asked for proof before.”

Mabuse, who appeared on “Dancing on Ice” and won “Strictly Come Dancing” twice, expressed that the interrogation included questioning her husband’s relationship with their daughter and remarks about the child’s appearance. “First questions were ‘where’s the Mum, where is she from, your baby looks very, very different,'” Mabuse said, describing the situation her husband faced. “For the first time, he felt protective over the fact that now he has to explain himself, which he didn’t have to before.”

During the exchange, Mabuse highlighted the microaggressions directed toward her family, emphasizing that such inquiries were not merely questions but indicative of deeper racial prejudices. “And he also has to see what a microaggression is,” she stated, advocating for awareness and understanding.

Mabuse met her husband, who is a professional dancer from Romania, in Germany in 2012, and they married two years later. The couple’s journey has included significant personal challenges, including the premature birth of their daughter and Mabuse’s diagnosis of sepsis.

Through her public appearances and statements, Mabuse, originally from South Africa, consistently underscores the importance of confronting racial discrimination. In previous interviews, she has openly discussed the racial abuse she has encountered in her career, aiming to transform negative experiences into opportunities for positive representation.

“Raising the Next Generation,” featuring Fleur East, is available for streaming on the Rayo app, reinforcing conversations around racial experiences and parenting. Mabuse’s candid reflections serve as a broader call for empathy and education in overcoming racial divides.