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West End star and Strictly contestant Amber Davies has sidestepped the show\u2019s notorious curse, fostering healthy relationships with her dance partner and their partners, while impressing with her dedication to the competition amid controversy over her dance experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Amber Davies, a West End performer and current Strictly Come Dancing contestant, appears to have sidestepped the infamous “Strictly curse” that has typified the show\u2019s history of romantic relationships forming between celebrity participants and their professional dance partners. At 29, Amber has developed a friendly and supportive relationship not only with her dance partner, Nikita Kuzmin, but also with Nikita\u2019s girlfriend Lauren Jaine, further demonstrating a healthy dynamic rarely seen amid the competition\u2019s intense environment.<\/p>\n
Amber recently shared with The Sun that she has met Lauren, describing her as \u201cso supportive, so easy-going,\u201d and noted the warmth extended with Lauren even meeting Amber\u2019s own partner, Ben Joyce. The close-knit relationship is highlighted by their mutual introductions: Lauren to Ben and Amber\u2019s sister, exemplifying the courteous camaraderie surrounding the pair. Notably, Amber and Nikita\u2019s performances on the show continue to impress, with their American Smooth dance during Movie Week earning 35 points and securing second place on the leaderboard.<\/p>\n
According to an insider speaking to The Sun, Amber is fully focused on the competition and is cautious not to get ahead of herself. The source emphasised Amber\u2019s strong relationship with Ben, describing them as \u201cmadly in love\u201d and sharing that both partners, being performers themselves, are adept at \u201cshutting out the noise\u201d that comes with public scrutiny. This grounded approach could be a contributing factor to Amber\u2019s immunity from the show\u2019s so-called \u201ccurse,\u201d which many speculate arises from the close and often intense interactions between dance pairs.<\/p>\n
The topic of relationships has become particularly relevant as social media and public interest continue to swirl around the notion of the \u201cStrictly curse.\u201d Lauren Jaine, who has been dating Nikita since early 2023 and is a model by profession, felt compelled to address the speculation directly. Posting a video on TikTok, Lauren urged fans to respect the reality of the couples involved in the show. In a light-hearted yet pointed message, she pretended to scroll through TikTok comments, responding to rumours and urging: \u201cPlease be respectful to the real-life partners and let them have a good experience of the show too.\u201d Lauren\u2019s intervention underscores a growing plea from those close to the dancers for fans and media alike to recognise and respect existing relationships rather than fuel unfounded gossip.<\/p>\n
Amber has also found herself addressing controversy related to her prior dance experience. Critics questioned the fairness of a celebrity with professional stage experience competing alongside novice dancers, especially after she admitted to having a background in musicals such as Pretty Woman and Back to the Future. Speaking on ITV\u2019s This Morning, Amber clarified that musical theatre dancing is vastly different from ballroom and Latin styles, stressing the complexity of the disciplines and how challenging the transition has been. She recounted her emotional experience mastering steps in the American Smooth routine, explaining that the physicality and technique required bring her to tears. Nikita supported her claims, acknowledging the difficulty despite the seeming simplicity of certain moves.<\/p>\n
Despite Amber\u2019s defence, some viewers remained unconvinced, highlighting the divide in opinions around what constitutes a fair playing field on Strictly Come Dancing. Amber, meanwhile, replaced Dani Dyer, who had to withdraw due to an ankle injury, joining the competition just days before the live shows began. This late entry has not deterred her from making a strong impression on judges and fans alike.<\/p>\n
Strictly Come Dancing continues to attract high viewership on BBC One and remains accessible for streaming on iPlayer, with audiences keen to watch the evolving dynamics both on and off the dance floor.<\/p>\n