Dancing with the Stars Season 34: Lore, Gossip, & Behind-the-Scenes Drama, Explained

MsMojo

The sequins may sparkle on screen, but behind the ballroom, drama reigns supreme! Join us as we unpack all the juicy gossip, casting controversies, and backstage tensions from Dancing with the Stars Season 34. From Jordon Hudson's failed negotiations to Hilaria Baldwin's dramatic exit, we're revealing what really happens when the cameras stop rolling. Which scandal surprised you most?

Transcript

00:00There they are, 14 stars and their partners.

00:03Welcome to Ms. Mojo.

00:05And today, we're sashaying away from the ballroom to unpack all the spins, dips, and drama

00:11that have kept this season of Dancing with the Stars in the spotlight.

00:14It was of benefit to you guys that I haven't been here for a few days.

00:18You've been saying other things.

00:21Before the music starts, before a single sequin hit the floor,

00:25Dancing with the Stars was already serving plenty of behind-the-scenes drama.

00:30Apparently, producers had their eyes on NFL coach Bill Belichick's girlfriend, Jordan Hudson,

00:35and thought they'd hit the jackpot if she signed on.

00:37But negotiations turned into a ballroom tango of their own.

00:41Jordan didn't want her storyline to revolve around being Bill Belichick's girlfriend,

00:45which, fair, but she reportedly also wanted control over her dance partner,

00:50rehearsal schedule, and time off to cheer on her men at games.

00:54Derek Hough wouldn't name names, but admitted that if she'd stayed,

00:57things could have gotten, quote, a little messy.

01:00In the end, talks fizzled, and with premiere week looming, producers scrambled.

01:05Enter Fifth Harmony's Lauren Harreggie, their last-minute savior.

01:09Come on and walk this way through the spine.

01:12And if you find yourself in a dark situation, you've got on your life.

01:18But the drama didn't stop once the cast was finalized.

01:21Word is, this season's energy just feels off.

01:24Some celebs apparently underestimated the rehearsal schedules and commitment required,

01:29leaving their pro partners, quote, demoralized, and feeling like they'd been set up to fail.

01:37That tension's trickling beyond partnerships, too.

01:43Long-time pros are reportedly annoyed that they're being eclipsed by newer, younger dancers.

01:48Reportedly, some are even ready to hang up their Dancing with the Stars shoes if things don't change.

01:53And if that weren't enough, even the troupe is feeling the heat.

02:08Stephanie Sosa and her brother Ezra shared that she'd been dropped from the lineup not long after Hayley Bills,

02:13Jenna Johnson's niece, was added.

02:15And Hayley!

02:20Great job! They are so fierce! I cannot wait to see what they are going to do for us this season.

02:29If the name sounds familiar, it's because Hayley, like Riley Arnold,

02:33once danced on Dancing with the Stars juniors with Tripp Johnston, Bristol Palin's son.

02:38We're already in a spin, and no one's even danced a single step yet.

02:42With it all, it's not my acting, you've got the last night.

02:50Partners and problems.

02:53If there's one thing Dancing with the Stars can always count on,

02:56it's a good old-fashioned dose of favoritism drama.

02:59This season, all eyes are on Mark Ballas and Whitney Levitt,

03:02with fans convinced they're getting special treatment.

03:05I'm just doing my best here.

03:06When it comes to the music stuff, I know there's questions about edits and things like that.

03:12We all have the same opportunities to do that.

03:15I've also been studying music production for a long time,

03:19and I'm just kind of very specific about certain songs.

03:22The Whisper started thanks to Mark's reputation on the show,

03:25and only got louder after some claimed the pair's song choices were a little too perfect.

03:29Word is, even some pros have quietly taken their concerns to the producers.

03:44But they're not the only duo under pressure.

03:46Jenna Johnson reportedly had a tough go with her partner Corey Feldman,

03:50who vanished from rehearsals for five days right after his Good Morning America debut.

03:55Jenna later clarified that he had prior commitments,

03:57but apparently it wasn't exactly smooth sailing when he did show up.

04:02The cha-cha is very technical.

04:03The footwork can be very intimidating.

04:06No! No! No!

04:09That's why I'm a little worried.

04:10Still, the two have kept things friendly, at least in public.

04:14Meanwhile, Jenna's husband, Val,

04:15is said to be feeling a little deflated with his own partner, Alex Earle.

04:19Sure, they make a good team,

04:21but insiders say he'd rather have a partner like Danielle Fischel,

04:24who has fully thrown herself into the whole experience.

04:27Another pro who might be feeling slighted this season is Gleb Sovchenko.

04:31The couple going home is...

04:39Ilaria and Gleb.

04:45At first, it probably seemed like he'd struck gold getting paired with Ilaria Baldwin,

04:49but that excitement didn't last long.

04:51Between her ballroom background and her controversial reputation,

04:55fans weren't here for her.

04:56And if that weren't enough,

05:06rumor has it that both Ilaria and her husband, Alec Baldwin,

05:10made things, quote,

05:11difficult behind the scenes.

05:13Eliminations and surprising saves.

05:16Speaking of Ilaria,

05:17she and Gleb were sent packing after their week four Star Wars-themed quick-step.

05:21And let's just say she did not take it lightly.

05:24Oh my God, you're gonna make me cry already.

05:26Stop it.

05:27I got you.

05:28You know, to open your heart up to something that you closed off is vulnerable.

05:33Baldwin later claimed her exit followed weeks of online harassment,

05:37blaming, quote,

05:38mean girls for, quote,

05:39drowning out her fan base.

05:41Reportedly, she went full Darth Vader backstage,

05:44furious with everyone,

05:45including her husband,

05:47even pointing fingers at his friends for not voting.

05:50Any chance we could see whatever you guys had planned for next week with Alec,

05:53maybe pop up online or something?

05:55We'll see the light of day.

05:56Oh, a little too late.

05:58A little too late with the votes.

06:01A little too late, okay?

06:02And Ilaria wasn't alone in her frustration.

06:05Corey Feldman was reportedly just as upset,

06:07even seemingly storming off set while the rest of the cast gathered post-show.

06:12As for shock eliminations,

06:13we're still reeling from losing Lauren Harreggie and Brandon Armstrong

06:16and Scott Hoying and Riley Arnold.

06:19Come on, TikTok night had no place in the ballroom,

06:22and having Lauren sent home after dancing to her own song,

06:24Work From Home,

06:25just added insult to injury.

06:27Her reaction was honestly iconic.

06:30How are you feeling?

06:32Piss.

06:32And Scott's exit felt equally abrupt.

06:35Although, with Pentatonix's Christmas in the City tour kicking off on November 8th,

06:40some viewers can't help but raise an eyebrow over the timing of it all.

06:44Riley is my favorite person ever.

06:46I had so much fun and learned so much.

06:48And it's wicked night.

06:50That's a perfect way to go.

06:51Who would have guessed Andy Richter would be one of this season's biggest surprises?

06:55Guys, I made it.

06:57He might not be the smoothest on the dance floor,

07:10but he's clearly mastered the art of winning hearts.

07:13Sure, it stings to see technically stronger dancers sent home,

07:16but isn't he what the show is meant to be about?

07:19Watching a total newbie improve even just a smidge every week

07:22and fall in love with the craft?

07:34Injuries and sicknesses.

07:36Even pros can't dodge sickness or injury,

07:39so celebs definitely don't stand a chance.

07:41This season alone,

07:43Danielle Fischel danced through a torn hamstring,

07:45joking it'd take a, quote,

07:47stretcher to drag her off the floor.

07:48I am pushing through the pain.

07:50Sell it.

07:51It's a double elimination.

07:52Reach.

07:53And I am not going to let this injury stop me from dancing another week.

07:56During rehearsals,

07:57poor Dylan Efron took an elbow to the nose,

07:59but powered through,

08:00joking that it's not like he needs it to dance anyway.

08:03Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnick shared more than just choreography

08:06when she accidentally gave her partner the flu.

08:09Can I give you a big hug?

08:13No, thanks.

08:14During Halloween night,

08:15viewers were shocked to learn

08:16Elaine Hendrix had been hospitalized

08:18after a rib injury from an earlier run-through.

08:21Elaine Hendrix and Alan Burstyn are not here.

08:24She suffered an injury in rehearsal this morning.

08:27Right now,

08:28she's at the hospital being assessed.

08:30Their scores were based on rehearsal footage,

08:33but elimination wasn't off the table.

08:35Fortunately,

08:35they weren't eliminated.

08:37And the prognosis was just a few days of rest

08:39before returning to the dance floor.

08:41I'm not dancing today.

08:43I'm not dancing tomorrow.

08:44We'll be back at it Friday.

08:47And I'm just getting ready to be in that ballroom next Tuesday.

08:51Max unfiltered.

08:52Even during his Dancing with the Stars days,

08:55Max and Schmierkowski was never one to bite his tongue.

08:58And that certainly hasn't changed.

08:59With all due respect,

09:00this is my show.

09:01You know,

09:01I helped make it what it is.

09:03While he's not the only former pro

09:04to controversially weigh in on season 34,

09:07Max has definitely been the loudest.

09:09On the Penthouse with PETA podcast,

09:12he and his wife,

09:13fellow pro PETA Murgatroyd,

09:15discussed Jan Ravnick's casting.

09:17And let's just say

09:17there was no beating around the bush here.

09:19I'm sorry.

09:20Jan has absolutely no business

09:23being a pro on Dancing with the Stars.

09:25There's zero foundation,

09:27technique,

09:28quality,

09:29understanding of the partnership.

09:31Ravnick,

09:32who's best known for dancing backup for Taylor Swift,

09:34doesn't have a ballroom background.

09:36But his name alone

09:38likely brought in a wider audience.

09:40PETA played it diplomatically,

09:41but Max bluntly said

09:43someone without ballroom experience

09:44has no business being a pro.

09:46It's not Jan's fault.

09:48He has,

09:49he walked in like,

09:51you know what,

09:52let's make light of this.

09:53Ravnick didn't fire back directly,

09:55but he did take a sly swipe at,

09:57quote,

09:57people who are trying to stay relevant.

10:00He's not the only one

10:01to catch Max's side eye either.

10:03Riley Arnold's teaching style

10:04has also been a recent target.

10:06I believe that Scott

10:08was under-trained

10:11and under-rehearsed.

10:12And that's what that dance looked like.

10:15Whoever it came with,

10:16we're from.

10:17But, you know,

10:17again,

10:18maybe Riley's still young,

10:19she's still learning,

10:20she's still taking on responsibilities

10:22where she can put her foot down

10:24and say,

10:24this is what we have to do.

10:26I don't know.

10:27Still,

10:27Ravnick seemed to take it all in stride,

10:29and Max has since apologized.

10:31Ironically,

10:32he and his partner,

10:33Jen Affleck,

10:34were eliminated

10:34after performing to Swift's

10:36Look What You Made Me Do.

10:37Make of that

10:38what you will.

10:39Look what you made me do.

10:41Look what you made me do.

10:43Look what you just made me do.

10:45Look what you just made me do.

10:46Look what you just made me do.

10:47Before we continue,

10:48be sure to subscribe to our channel

10:50and ring the bell

10:51to get notified

10:51about our latest videos.

10:54You have the option

10:54to be notified

10:55for occasional videos

10:56or all of them.

10:58If you're on your phone,

10:59make sure you go into your settings

11:01and switch on notifications.

11:03Everything else

11:04under the mirror ball.

11:05You might think

11:06there's nothing left to unpack,

11:08yet this season

11:08has already spilled more tea

11:10than a tea house

11:10caught in a storm,

11:11and we haven't even talked

11:12about Whitney Levitt

11:13and Mark Ballas' giveaway drama.

11:15We actually can't do a giveaway

11:17for the Dancing with the Stars

11:18live show.

11:19This has come directly

11:21from ABC and BBC

11:22and is completely

11:23out of our hands.

11:25They plan to send two fans

11:26on an all-expenses-paid trip

11:28to LA for the Halloween show,

11:29but ABC and the BBC

11:31shut it down fast,

11:32leaving them scrambling

11:33to figure out

11:34what to do next.

11:35Then there's Carrie Ann Inaba,

11:37who's been under

11:37the microscope for years.

11:39You might not be hitting

11:40every movement perfectly yet,

11:42but it's that charisma

11:43that's just like,

11:44yes, mine,

11:45don't look away,

11:46I'm selling it,

11:47you sold it,

11:47I bought it,

11:48yes, ka-ching!

11:49Fans point to inconsistencies

11:50in her scoring and critiques,

11:52and maybe being a little kinder

11:54to the guys than the women.

11:55That seemed to amplify

11:56when Kim Johnson Herjavec

11:57returned as a guest judge,

11:59with many saying

12:00her feedback felt sharper

12:01and more thoughtful.

12:03Occasionally the hand

12:04just goes around Alan's back,

12:06so you want to give your arms

12:07to him,

12:09and make sure the thumb

12:10and your index finger

12:11is on the tricep,

12:12and that will give that

12:13nice space that you...

12:14Dorgeous, alright!

12:15Pasha Pashkov did not hide

12:17his frustration over her comments

12:18on his choreography

12:19for Danielle Fischel,

12:20though he admitted judges

12:21usually get the rough end

12:22of the stick

12:23when audiences don't like

12:24what they hear.

12:25We did have a quick step

12:27and we had a jive this week.

12:29These are two dances

12:30that are very similar.

12:32Honestly, at this point,

12:33the competition feels

12:34less like a race

12:35for the Mirabal

12:36and more like

12:36an assault course.

12:37Point!

12:38Who will it be?

12:40Who are the judges

12:40going to eliminate next?

12:42Looks like they're eliminating...

12:45Do you think

12:46all this extra noise

12:47has helped

12:47or hindered

12:48your viewing experience?

12:49Let us know

12:50in the comments.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended