“Dancing With The Stars” judge Bruno Tonioli is setting the record straight about the controversy surrounding season 35.
The popular reality television dance show where celebrities are paired with professional ballroom dancers to perform choreographed routines has been on air since 2005 and has boasted an impressive cast list since then.
However, the recent cast announcement has sparked plenty of online conversation. Now, Tonioli is addressing the dispute, and the season is promising to be one nobody wants to miss.
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The latest season of “Dancing With The Stars” premiered on September 15 with a two-night premiere, and unlike other seasons, one male and one female will be eliminated after just one week.
This aims to push contestants to go all in from week one. Speaking to US Magazine about the format, the longtime host revealed that judging would be strict this year.
“What happens is your expectations are higher, so obviously they know that,” the 70-year-old judge said. “They’re gonna be afraid, but the expectations are higher. We will be very honest. Nobody’s gonna get a free ride. I’m telling you that.”
The judge explained that the show’s ballroom technique was a whole different ball game for contestants, even those with past dance experience. “I’ve done it for a very, very long time. But these kids — they’ve never done it before. So give them a chance. Be nice. Be nice, people. Give them a chance,” he urged.
DWTS Contestants Question If The Playing Field Is Truly Even
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Tonioli’s comments come in response to the conversations surrounding the latest season’s lineup. Some viewers questioned whether some contestants have an unfair advantage because of their dance background, with Jenna Dewan being the focal point.
“The cast is definitely whispering about how unfair some of the casting is,” a source revealed, per The Blast, “especially with Jenna being a former dancer and others having dance experience.”
“Everyone thinks Jenna Dewan has a very unfair advantage because she is a professional dancer. That is how she began her career,” another source said about the “Step Up” actress, who had been dancing for years before coming to Hollywood. “It’s like, ‘Duh, we all know she’s going to win.”
The actress echoed Tonioli’s sentiments, pushing back on the narrative and describing ballroom dancing as a whole different language from the dance she was used to.
“There’s parts of my dance training that’s helpful, obviously. I’ve learned choreography, I can perform, but there is a certain sense of unlearning for me,” she said.
Dewan, however, is not the only contestant under scrutiny. The cast also includes “Save the Last Dance” actress Julia Stiles, former “Bachelor” star Tyler Cameron, who previously appeared on “The Real Dirty Dancing,” and “Glee” alum Harry Shum Jr., who toured professionally as a dancer before becoming an actor.
DWTS Former Winner Bobby Bones Shared His Opinion On The Ringer Debate
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Former show winner Bobby Bones weighed in on the debate, making it clear he had no issue with trained dancers getting on the show.
However, he didn’t appreciate them acting like it didn’t give them an upper hand in the competition simply because they didn’t know ballroom dance.
The “DWTS” alum said contestants with dance experience already had skills like rhythm and spatial awareness, likening it to a pro baseball player in a softball game.
He reiterated that pretending it was not an advantage was “insulting,” as it was an “obvious advantage,” per The Blast.
Tyler Cameron Says Former Dance Experience Is Nothing Compared To DWTS
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Tyler Cameron, however, seems to have a different opinion. He is entering the competition with dance experience but does not believe it has prepared him for “Dancing With The Stars.”
The Blast reported that he compared it to his time on “The Real Dirty Dancing,” which took about two weeks, while DWTS required more from its contestants.
“I will say that is like one-fifth of what we’re doing here,” he shared, adding that the difference between the two shows was enormous.
Jenna Johnson Believes No Celebrity Is Truly Prepared For Dancing With The Stars
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Professional dance partner Jenna Johnson, who made her show debut in 2014 as a troupe dancer and later became a professional dancer in 2016, also gave her two cents on the situation, as reported by The Blast.
The choreographer shared that after working with different celebrities from all walks of life, she feels no one is ever truly ready for “DWTS.” She attributed the live audience and millions of viewers at home to that, and said it was impossible to know how someone would act in that situation.
She also quoted the demanding schedule of less than a week to learn a new ballroom technique, with themes and judging expectations: “I understand when people are like, ‘Oh, you know, dance experience, whatever.’ Who cares! This is the first time they’re ever doing Dancing with the Stars. That is very different.”
