Tasha Ghouri admits ‘there was a lot of ableism’ as BBC Strictly star opens up on backlash to TV stint
Tasha Ghouri, 26, has opened up on the deeper meaning her song for the upcoming Icons Week has to her.
Alongside Aljaz Skorjanec, the model, who was born deaf, will perform a Couple’s Choice to P!nk track What About Us, and speaking ahead of the routine, Ghouri admitted it was a song that helped her through particularly tough times.
Before becoming a fan-favourite in the ballroom, Ghouri shot to fame on the ITV dating show Love Island.
While it was on the show where she met her boyfriend Andrew Le Page, the experience wasn’t all positive as she fell victim to cruel “ableism” abuse from viewers.
Speaking ahead of Icons Week, Ghouri touched upon how that backlash inspired her upcoming routine, saying: “(The song) actually a very meaningful one.
“It’s P!nk, and the song ‘What About Us?’ When I was on Love Island, there was a lot of ableism and it’s the one song I listened to when I came out of the show to power me through.
“It has a very special place in my heart,” the 26-year-old admitted.
She’d previously opened up about the scrutiny and trolling that came with Love Island before taking to the ballroom.
In an interview with Radio Times before her stint in the ballroom, she explained: “You know, that’s outside noise. I went through the worst of the worst when I came out of Love Island.
“I went through ableism. There’s a lot of it. And that made me stronger, to where I am now. I will be focusing on the positives.
“I’m here for myself. I’m here for my family. I’m here for my friends. I want to do this for me, and, you know, for the people out there – the young Tashas out there that struggle with confidence.
“This is for them. So that’s going to be my motivation through this,” she defiantly said.
Ghouri’s motivation has clearly worked as week after week, the Love Island star has ended up in the upper echelons of the leaderboard.
This has meant Ghouri has emerged as one of the favourites with bookmakers to lift the Glitterball Trophy at the end of the series – although she still faces stiff competition.
Ahead of Icons Week, Ghouri is sitting as third-favourite for glory with odds of 8/1, narrowly behind second-favourite Sarah Hadland at 7/1, according to Gambling.com.
However, both are some way off current frontrunner Chris McCausland who’s priced as the 1/2 odds-on favourite to lift the trophy with his partner Dianne Buswell.
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Despite the odds being stacked against them, Ghouri and Skorjanec have pledged to keep giving their all for their supporters.
Taking to Instagram after their Halloween Week success, Ghouri penned to her fans: “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! YOUR SUPPORT AND VOTES MEAN EVERYTHING! We get to dance another week because of you. Thank you. HALLOWEEN WEEK WAS EPIC! How amazing did everyone look?! Last night was just electric.
“I really focused on characterisation this week which is something that’s out of my comfort zone. I really enjoyed just letting go and just going for it! We had such a giggle and a good time out there @aljazskorjanec the muscle suit and the wig was iconic and will forever be a core memory!
“The biggest shout out to @gemflossi @lisadaveyhair @vickygilldesign for bringing frankensteins bride to life! The production team bought the beach party vibes to the ballroom floor with the set! The band, everyone who makes this happen biggest thank you.
“ICON WEEK LETS GO!! Couples choice.. what I will say is this is something that is raw and vulnerability. Super excited to get started on Monday. Keep dancing!” (sic)
