Oti Mabuse’s husband, Marius Lapure, and their 13-month-old daughter, alongside Oti’s mother, Dudu Mabuse, arrived in Australia earlier this week ahead of the imminent I’m A Celebrity vote-offs expected by the end of the week.
The trio made their way to Brisbane Airport in anticipation of welcoming Oti back after her stint on the ITV reality show.
Oti Defends Her Decision to Leave Her Newborn
Oti recently defended her decision to leave her young daughter in the UK while she starred in the Jungle.
“Mum has goals too,” Oti said, explaining that her daughter wouldn’t remember this time away.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star also emphasized that this opportunity felt like the right time for her to pursue personal goals before her daughter got too old.
Family Support While Oti Competes
It’s been two weeks since Oti, 36, landed in Brisbane to take part in I’m A Celebrity, and now her family is joining her for support.
Marius, dressed casually in black tracksuit bottoms and a gilet, looked relaxed as he carried their daughter in a sling, while Oti’s mother helped with the baby.
Marius, who has been voting for Oti, shared his excitement about finally meeting her when she exits the show.
He added that while the lack of airtime might seem odd, it’s actually beneficial for Oti to remain more in the background as part of the group dynamic.
Oti’s Family Life and Parenting Balance
Marius also discussed how he’s managed parenting during Oti’s time in the Jungle.
He revealed that he and Oti had talked about this for years, and he was used to looking after kids, as he teaches at a dance studio.
He expressed how lovely it has been to care for their daughter, noting that she’s been sleeping so well that they almost missed their flight because she was still asleep.
Oti’s mother, Dudu, has been an essential help, as Oti shared on Instagram earlier this year.
She praised Dudu for her tireless support in taking care of their daughter while they worked.
Oti referred to her mother as a “super mom,” someone she aspires to emulate in the future.
Oti’s Journey to the Jungle
The 13-month-old’s arrival in Australia follows Oti’s emotional defense of leaving her daughter to appear on I’m A Celebrity.
Oti explained that it was important for her daughter to see her mother pursuing her passions and setting an example of balancing career and family.
After a difficult birth that saw her daughter spend six weeks in the ICU, Oti believes it’s a positive experience for her to show that mums can still achieve their personal goals.
Reflecting on her decision to join I’m A Celebrity, Oti mentioned that ITV had approached her six times over the years, but it wasn’t until now, with her daughter at an age where she wouldn’t remember being left behind, that Oti felt the timing was right.
Oti’s Career Shift and Future Plans
Oti has made quite a name for herself, notably becoming the first professional dancer to win Strictly Come Dancing in two consecutive years, first in 2019 with Kelvin Fletcher and again in 2020 with Bill Bailey.
After seven years with the BBC show, Oti decided to move on in 2022, seeking new challenges in television presenting.
Since then, she has appeared on various ITV shows, including Dancing on Ice and The Masked Singer.
She praised her husband for supporting her during her time on Strictly, acknowledging his role in helping her transition to new opportunities.
Now with her family by her side, Oti continues to make waves, not only in dance but in the world of presenting and reality TV.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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