I dance to get rid of grief - Christian Atsu’s widow reacts to criticism

Marie Claire-Rupio, the widow of the late Christian Atsu, has defended herself after she was spotted dancing.

Rupio has come under criticism when she shared a video of herself dancing to Davido's "Unavailable” hit song.

Some of her followers were not enthused by the video and criticised her dancing when her husband recently passed away.

Reacting to this in an Instagram post, Claire-Rupio said she dances as a way to deal with her grief and not because she’s happy.

"I am writing just to say a few things, yes I posted a dance video. Not because I am happy, but because I have to find a way to deal with my grief,” the widow said.

“I am not alone; I have 3 children to take care of by myself. I can't lose myself because I need to be strong for them. And in Europe, you deal with mental health in a lot of ways, and dancing was always my passion.

“So, excuse me, but please just think before you write something or put it on YouTube. Thank you."

Atsu was confirmed dead on Saturday, February 18, 2023, after his lifeless body was pulled out of the rubble in the wake of the earthquake in Turkey.

This followed days of intense search following the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria in mid-February.

Tributes poured in from far and near, with many expressing their condolences to the footballer’s family and loved ones.

The ex-Chelsea and Newcastle United winger was laid to rest on Friday, March 17, 2022, in his hometown in Ada.