Strictly Come Dancing star Amber Davies has issued a defiant statement about discovering her 'purpose' on the show, following a wave of social media criticism just days before the grand final.
Facing the Music: Criticism and a Perfect Score
The 29-year-old theatre performer and former Love Island contestant will battle for the Glitterball Trophy this Saturday, December 20, against fellow finalists YouTuber George Clarke and ex-footballer Karen Carney. Her journey to the final, however, has been marred by online backlash, which her professional partner Nikita Kuzman has labelled as outright 'hate'.
The controversy erupted after Amber and Nikita's impressive American Smooth to 'Fly Me to the Moon' scored a perfect 40 from the judges. Despite the acclaim, some viewers accused the pair of copying a routine from the stage production of The Great Gatsby. The BBC moved swiftly to quash these claims, confirming the choreography was entirely original and any suggestions of duplication were unfounded.
A Message of Self-Love on the Eve of the Final
In the aftermath, Nikita passionately defended Amber, pleading with the public to 'be kind' and highlighting her resilience. 'You've had so much hate this week and yet, you came every single day into the training room with a big smile,' he said.
Now, on the eve of the final, Amber has taken to her own Instagram stories to share a powerful message aimed at her supporters and critics alike. She wrote: 'To the younger women of our future – being ambitious does not mean you’re arrogant, loving yourself does not mean you’re stuck up.'
She encouraged self-compassion, urging followers to 'talk to yourself the way you would your best friend' and stated that 'confidence does not mean you’re too much.' Amber concluded with a clear declaration of her newfound role on the show, saying: 'I didn’t exactly know what my true purpose was going to be for Strictly – now I know.'
A Last-Minute Replacement with a Point to Prove
Amber's path to the final was unexpected. She was a last-minute replacement for Dani Dyer, who was originally paired with Nikita but had to withdraw due to injury. Reflecting on her whirlwind experience last week, Amber reminded fans: 'Guys, please. It’s really just a TV show. I wasn’t even supposed to be in the competition.'
She expressed gratitude for the opportunity and thanked those who had supported her, stating: 'I’m really just trying my best with the opportunity that came to me. To anyone who has left a nice comment, thank you.'
The Strictly Come Dancing final airs on BBC One at 7pm on Saturday, December 20, where Amber will aim to let her dancing do the talking one last time.
