Tasha Ghouri opens up on Strictly about online ableist abuse
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Tasha Ghouri was seen in tears during Saturday night's episode of Strictly Come Dancing (November 2), as she opened up about the online harassment she has faced as a deaf individual.
Ghouri, 26, gained recognition from Love Island and has been participating in the BBC One competition alongside professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec.
The star, who was born without the ability to hear and communicates using a cochlear implant, was seen in an emotional interview prior to her performance. She shared with the audience her experiences dealing with online bullies who create videos ridiculing her speech.
She mentioned that the mistreatment began after she participated in Love Island in 2022, where she first met her boyfriend, Andrew Le Page.
Ghouri expressed that the negativity she faced made her feel as though she had disappointed "the entire deaf community," especially since she participated in the dating show partly to promote awareness about deafness.
“When I finished the show, my dad took a moment to talk to me. He looked me directly in the eyes and said, ‘Tash, there have been plenty of awful things said about you, particularly on social media,’” she recalled.
"At one point, my voice and speaking style became the subject of various videos and even turned into a trend."
The model expressed, "I aimed to advocate for representation, but I feel like I let myself down as well as the entire deaf community."
She promised herself that she wouldn't let the bullies succeed, stating: "I will use my voice to raise awareness and inform others."
Her father was also heard discussing the harshness of the situation, stating, “It tears your heart apart.”
Ghouri is the second deaf contestant to take part in Strictly, following in the footsteps of Rose Ayling-Ellis, who won the competition in 2021.
The ex-Love Island contestant has collaborated with the UK government to advocate for matters concerning deaf communities.
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Prior to her participation in Love Island, Ghouri gained widespread attention for modeling earrings for ASOS, showcasing her cochlear implant and hearing aid.
Her book *Hits Different*, co-authored with Lizzie Huxley-Jones, tells the story of a woman with disabilities who dreams of being a dancer and embarks on a tour with an international music sensation.
She is the host of the podcast *Superpowers with Tasha*.
Strictly will be back next Saturday at 6:35 PM.
