Strictly's Tasha Ghouri in tears over online hate after Love Island
Strictly's Tasha Ghouri discusses her experiences with online bullying.
Tasha Ghouri was emotional on Saturday night during her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing as she shared her struggles with the harsh comments she has faced online related to her disability.
The 26-year-old former Love Island contestant and her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec wowed the judges with their performance of "What About Us" by Pink, earning an impressive combined score of 39, matching the highest of the series.
Before the dance, Ghouri, who was born without hearing and uses a cochlear implant, became quite emotional as she shared her experiences with online trolls who had created videos criticizing her speech.
She shared that following her time on the dating series Love Island in 2022, she faced a barrage of harsh remarks, which made her feel as though she had disappointed "the entire deaf community."
The North Yorkshire native, who works as a model, author, and podcaster, made history as the first deaf contestant on Love Island. She participated in the ITV series and ended up finishing in fourth place alongside her boyfriend Andrew Le Page, with whom she is still happily together.
Ghouri mentioned that she participated in the show to seek love and to advocate for the deaf community. However, instead of achieving this, she became a target of online abuse.
"After I finished the show, I clearly recall my dad taking me aside. He looked me in the eye and said, 'Tash, there's been some really awful things said about you, particularly on social media.'"
"At one point, my voice and speaking style became the subject of various videos, and it turned into a popular trend."
Ghouri expressed that the experience brought her to her lowest point.
"I aimed to advocate for representation, and I feel like I let not only myself down but also the entire deaf community," she expressed.
However, she was determined not to let the online bullies have the last word.
"I'm committed to using my platform to inform and enlighten others," she stated.
Currently, Ghouri boasts over 2.2 million followers on her various social media channels.
She has collaborated with Number 10 Downing Street and the Department for Education to advocate for the rights and concerns of individuals who are deaf.
Before the new season of Strictly kicks off, Ghouri opened up about how significant this moment is for her.
“I’m so excited to be part of Strictly Come Dancing! I’ve watched the show since I was a kid, and it's always been a beloved tradition in the Ghouri household. This feels like a dream realized,” she shared.
Her debut comes three years after Rose Ayling-Ellis made history as the first deaf contestant on Strictly and ultimately won the competition.
JB Gill took the stage alongside Lauren Oakley, while Amy Dowden observed from the studio.
On Saturday night, the last 10 stars and their dance partners hit the dance floor for the first Icons Week of Strictly Come Dancing.
Taylor Swift and Beyonce were among the celebrities recognized at the event.
JB Gill from JLS and his temporary dance partner Lauren Oakley matched Ghouri and Skorjanec at the top of the leaderboard, achieving the highest score of the season so far.
Amy Dowden, a professional dancer paired with Gill, had to skip last Sunday's results show because she was taken to the hospital as a safety measure after she started feeling unwell.
On Saturday's show, Oakley filled in for her by doing a medley of Bruno Mars songs alongside Gill, and together they received a score of 39.
The tribute to legends carries on Sunday night, featuring professional dancers showcasing a medley of Beyonce's hits. Johannes Radebe will embody the singer's fierce alter ego, Sasha Fierce, during the performance.
