Auma Obama's Impressive Feat in Global Dancing Competition

Auma Obama (right) with her dancing partner during the German edition of "Dancing With The Stars" (entitled "Let's Dance") in 2021.
Auma Obama (right) with her dancing partner during the German edition of "Dancing With The Stars" (entitled "Let's Dance") in 2021.
Instagram

44th US president Barrack Obama''s half-sister Auma Obama showcased her skills in dancing when she took part in the German edition of "Dancing With The Stars" (titled "Let's Dance").

The reality competition show which airs in 19 territories, and has different versions produced in dozens of countries across the world.

Auma, 61, who is a community activist, heat up the stage every week she appeared on the show taking on technical dances with grace and an infectious smile on her face.

With her partner, professional dancer Andrzej Cibis, 33, she made it all the way to the semi-final stage of the competition and eventually placing fifth before she was eliminated.

Dr Auma Obama with her dance partner during the show in 2021.
Dr Auma Obama with her dance partner during the show in 2021.
Instagram

After she was eliminated from the show, she thanked her fans who had voted for her through the weeks.

"I don't think it's too bad that I left, because someone has to go every week. I am very, very proud of what I have achieved - with your help, of course," she stated.

The Sauti Kuu executive director was born in Kenya but lived in Germany for decades where she studied German philosophy in Heidelberg and acquired a Ph.D. in the area at the University of Bayreuth and then studied Film studies at the German Television Academy in Berlin.

The show format pairs a number of well-known celebrities with professional ballroom dancers, who each week compete by performing one or more choreographed routines that follow the prearranged theme for that particular week.

The dancers are then scored by a panel of judges. Viewers are given a certain amount of time to place votes for their favorite dancers, either by telephone or (in some countries) online.

The couple with the lowest combined score provided by the judges and viewers is eliminated. This process continues until there are only two, three, or four couples left; when they have competed for the last time one couple is declared the champion and wins a trophy.

Auma Obama with her dance partner Andrzej Cibis during thedancing competition.
Dr Auma Obama with her dance partner Andrzej Cibis during the dancing competition.
Twitter

Other Kenyans have also represented Kenya on the global stage. In 2020, Eugene Asira, a Kenyan man living in Germany impressed judges at a talent reality competition, The Voice of Germany.

Asira, who appeared on the seventh episode of the show for the audition stage, performed hit song Uliza Kiatu originally performed by Hart The Band.

Other Kenyans who have gone on to shine in the talent shows are Sarah Ikumu who was a semifinalist in the British talent show, Britain's Got Talent on April 24, 2017. She earned a golden buzzer affording her the opportunity to feature in the live shows.

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