The suicide tragedy that rocked I’m a Celeb star Oti Mabuse’s family life as star praised for opening up

The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up

As I delve deeper into this heart-wrenching tale of resilience and survival, I find myself profoundly moved by the experiences shared by Oti Mabuse and Danny Jones on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Their courage to open up about their personal struggles with mental health and loss is truly commendable.


During the latest episode of I’m A Celeb, Oti Mabuse emphasized the significance of men discussing their feelings with one another. She shared a personal story about her brother, who tragically took his life at the age of sixteen.

34-year-old Strictly celebrity sadly disclosed that during their childhood years, her half-brother Neo passed away.

The emotional conversation came as fellow campmate Danny Jones talked about therapy and recalled having a panic attack on live TV.

Oti said: ‘I think it’s really good that you keep saying people must talk, especially young boys. 

“Given that young males generally aren’t known for their chatty nature and the alarmingly high suicide rates among them, I believe it’s crucial to continually encourage conversations about this issue.

She went on to say: ‘My brother took his own life at the age of 16. If he had shared his feelings with someone, perhaps things would have turned out differently for him.’

The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up

The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up

Oti admitted: ‘Especially in our culture, we don’t really open up.’ 

She discusses the ongoing sorrow within her family, stating: “Each year, we honor his birthday, yet those who remain find themselves grappling with its effects day by day. Life demands we project strength, joy, optimism, and cheerfulness, but it’s a challenging task.

If you bottle up your emotions, even when it feels uncomfortable to express them, it can be harmful not only to yourself but also to those who care about you deeply. It’s important to communicate, share your feelings, and seek help when needed.

At the time when her brother passed away, Oti was still quite young, according to her sister Motsi, who revealed that he tragically ended his life not long after Nelson Mandela was freed from prison in 1990.

43-year-old Motsi Mabuse, a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, revealed the painful personal story behind her family’s ordeal in her memoir titled “Chili in the Blood: My Journey with Dance.

‘He killed himself with a poison. And because the people of Africa are very religious and superstitious, something bad arose in our neighbourhood,’ she wrote. 

Born to mom Dudu and having a different father than his siblings Oti, Motsi, and Phemelo, Neo tragically passed away at sixteen years old.

A skilled dancer remembered the chilling period when her loved ones experienced rejection from their neighbors in South Africa, as they thought Neo’s demise brought misfortune.

The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up
The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up

She elaborated: ‘With the suicide of Neo, our family was seen as one where there was a negative energy. Because of this rumour, no one came to us any more, because it was feared that bad energy applied to the visitor.’

Motsi explained that her brother struggled to adjust as their family’s circumstances improved from being less fortunate earlier in life.

She mentioned: “Neo had seen the ascension of my parents. He still recalled the confined lifestyle, which for us younger siblings felt more like a tale told than something we had genuinely lived through…

‘I think all the changes had overwhelmed him a little bit, everything had seemed difficult to him.

Originally, he attended a private school, yet he kept company with individuals who could be considered ‘disingenuous acquaintances.’ It was a challenging period for everyone involved, yet it was particularly difficult on my mother.

After Oti confessed on Wednesday’s broadcast, spectators flocked to X to applaud the celebrity for sharing openly.

Overjoyed to see Oti address the often overlooked topic of male suicide – a deeply shameful and hidden aspect of being a man. The reality is, many men don’t seek help because our society stigmatizes them for expressing their feelings. It’s high time we break the taboo around #ImACeleb!

The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up
The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up
The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up
The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up
The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up
The suicide tragedy that rocked I'm a Celeb star Oti Mabuse's family life as star praised for opening up

Hearing about Oti sharing her brother’s struggle at 16 and his suicide is truly heartrending. It serves as a reminder that we never truly know another person’s struggles or past, and Oti’s bright spirit underscores the hidden battles many of us have faced or continue to face. #ImACeleb #imacelebrity

I want to give credit to Danny and Oti for bringing up an essential topic during their time on this massive platform, #ImACeleb.

In this heartfelt episode, Danny Jones discusses his anxiety and Oti Mobuse talks about her brother. It’s truly touching and serves as a gentle nudge for all of us, particularly men, to not hesitate in sharing our feelings when dealing with mental health issues. Let’s remember, it’s okay to speak out #ImACeleb

As a devoted admirer, witnessing Danny pour his heart out about his anxiety struggles and Oti sharing her experiences with her brother, I can’t help but be in awe of their courage. It’s crucial to seek professional advice, assistance, and support when needed, just like they did. #ItsOKToSeekHelp #ImACeleb

If you’ve been affected by this article, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or 020 7734 2800 

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2024-11-21 01:49

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