With the glitterball trophy within reach, Strictly Come Dancing finalist Amber Davies has delivered a powerful message to her detractors, stating she 'can't believe' she still has to defend her ambition and talent in 2025.
A Press Conference Defence
Days before the series grand finale on Saturday 20th December, the three finalists gathered for a press conference at the BBC's London headquarters. The former Love Island star and West End performer, seated beside her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin, addressed the sustained criticism she has faced since joining the competition as a late replacement for the injured Dani Dyer.
For weeks, the 29-year-old has weathered a storm of negative comments, ranging from criticism from a fellow contestant's family about 'experienced dancers' to accusations she copied a routine from The Great Gatsby musical.
'Being Ambitious as a Woman'
For Davies, who has consistently noted she was 'never supposed to be here', the backlash highlights a persistent societal issue. 'I have a lot of young women who follow me and I didn't know what my purpose was on Strictly until I realised that I was getting a lot of negative comments for being good,' she told Metro and other publications.
'I can't believe I have to say this in 2025, but being ambitious as a woman, being confident, having dreams and working hard does not mean you're stuck up,' Davies stated emphatically. 'It doesn't mean that you're arrogant and I want to change that.'
She reflected on her roots in a small town in North Wales and her relentless work ethic, driven by a love for her craft. The opportunity to join Strictly, she said, was one no fan of the show would refuse.
'So I just want to reiterate, we live once,' she urged. 'Whatever you're ambitious about… whatever you care for in life, go for it with two hands. And don't undermine yourself to make other people feel comfortable.'
Fellow Finalists Find Their Own Transformations
The other finalists also shared how the competition has profoundly impacted them. Karen Carney, the former Arsenal and England footballer who has made history as the first footballer to reach the Strictly final, revealed the show has 'fixed' her confidence.
'For probably the last five or six years I've been open and honest about how I've been crushed quite a lot in terms of my confidence and I couldn't figure out how to fix that,' the 38-year-old said. An avid viewer, she believed Strictly would provide the 'safe environment' to heal, a feeling that has been fully realised.
Meanwhile, social media star George Clarke, a favourite to win, has discovered a whole new world and fanbase. Accustomed to performing for a camera and editing out mistakes, he admitted the live ballroom is a different challenge. 'It's been mental… a completely different world,' said Clarke, who boasts 2.3 million TikTok followers.
Beyond learning to dance, Clarke said he has 'learned a lot about himself' and come out of his shell. He also expressed pride in representing social media stars on mainstream TV, a demographic he feels is now gaining recognition.
The Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final airs on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, where one of these three transformative journeys will culminate in lifting the iconic glitterball trophy.
