Tasha Ghouri is consistently topping the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard and as she heads to Week 10, the former Love Island star delved into how the show had brought out another side of herself.
The 26-year-old has stunned with several performances so far on the show, with the latest episode's Blackpool Week seeing her placed joint-first with a near-perfect score of 39.
Ghouri has also been candid with viewers about ableism she's faced, becoming emotional a few weeks ago during her Couple's Choice routine.
The reality star, who was born deaf, is passionate about representation and her performances alongside professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec have sparked showers of praise from the judges.
The model and TV personality is passionate about raising awareness of the deaf community and will become the show's second deaf contestant after former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis went on to win the series in 2021.
Speaking ahead of Week 10, Ghouri was asked about whether she's changed from the show.
"I feel like Strictly has brought out a much more confident side of me, and kind of reconnected me with the old Tasha," she replied.
She went on to tell the BBC: "Years ago, I loved dancing in the commercial world, so it’s a bit of a throwback to those days.
"It’s been so great to dance again and learn these new styles.
"I'm feeling more confident and wholesome – grateful, really."
When she was announced as one of the celebrities taking part in the BBC competition earlier this year, Ghouri faced some public backlash from people who claimed she had an "unfair advantage" thanks to her dancing background.
In addition to her television gigs, Ghouri has worked as a dancer and has reportedly had some training, which some fans took issue with over her Strictly sign-up.
According to Move It Dance, Ghouri worked as a self-employed dancer behind a bar. She has also appeared in music videos and has in the past suggested that filming for Love Island had obstructed her filming for the 2023 film Barbie, which she had auditioned for as a dancer.
Move It Dance also goes on to say the TV personality graduated from Creative Academy and has "excelled in various dance contracts".
Tasha Ghouri reflected on her dancing experience
BBC
Ghouri's dad previously issued a passionate defence of his daughter following criticisms.
He once again echoed these statements after Ghouri heartbreakingly opened up about trolling she has been at the receiving end of.
Explaining how she would be dancing her Couple's Choice routine to Pink's What About Us, she stated: "This is a song about being unheard.
"I was born completely deaf in both ears and my parents found out when I was 12 months old.
"Being born into a hearing family was difficult. They are the ones that have to adapt their lifestyle around me so they started learning British Sign Language.
"That was so beautiful. I remember those days. I first discovered dance when my parents took me to my first dance class at my local dance studio. Everyone around me communicated in speech. No one used British Sign Language, this was before I got my implant."
Reflecting on her 2022 Love Island stint and the vile, ableist comments she witnessed about herself following her appearance, she recalled: "Two years ago I went on a reality TV show.
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Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec have made it through to Week 10 of the series
BBC
"I was the first contestant with a cochlear implant. I wanted to be a contestant who had a disability but could still find love.
"My dad told me there was a lot of stuff written about me on social media. There were things written about about my voice, the way I speak."
Becoming tearful, the 26-year-old continued: "It made me hit rock bottom. I feel like I've not just failed myself but the whole deaf community."
"She is very strong now because of that," Ghouri's dad, Tarek, commented. "She wants to scroll on past the negatives and not give them the time of day anymore."
