‘Dancing With the Stars’ Faces Backlash Over Contestants' Political Ads, Rigging Claims

Dancing With the Stars is currently experiencing a turbulent season, marked by multiple controversies that have drawn significant public attention. The latest disruption involves professional dancers Alan Bersten and Emma Slater, who have faced backlash for posting paid political advertisements on social media this past week. Both dancers shared videos urging support for California's Proposition 3, a measure aimed at making existing higher income tax rates for top earners permanent to fund schools and healthcare.

Bersten, 32, posted to Instagram on Sunday, stating he had researched Proposition 3 and found it to be straightforward, explaining it would maintain current funding levels. He captioned the post, 'California kids need us to vote yes on Prop 3,' and noted the post was paid for by the Yes on Prop 3 campaign, sponsored by education and labor organizations. Slater, 37, shared a similar video, emphasizing the proposition's role in protecting teachers and healthcare workers by making funding permanent. She also clarified her post was a paid advertisement by the campaign.

While some viewers supported the dancers' engagement, many criticized them for promoting paid political content. Comments on social media expressed disapproval, with one user writing, 'A little sketch to be paid for this. If you care you shouldn’t have to be paid… being paid to tell people what to vote for is not okay.' Another commenter suggested Bersten should 'stick to dancing' and 'stay in [his] lane.' Some pointed out that the proposition involves a permanent tax increase, a detail they felt was not fully represented in the advertisements.

This political ad controversy follows other recent incidents that have put the show in the spotlight. Earlier in the season, former contestant Alexa PenaVega recalled an instance where fellow competitor Hayes Grier believed the show might be 'rigged.' PenaVega shared on her LexLos podcast that Grier felt this way during their time on season 21 due to the significant number of votes he received. She suggested that while votes matter, the show's production also plays a role, with producers potentially considering contestant storylines for eliminations. Host Alfonso Ribeiro addressed these claims on social media, stating, 'No chance. We want everyone who’s popular to stay on. It’s basic logic.'

Adding to the season's drama, professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one episode earlier this month. The suspension followed a comment he made on TikTok, perceived by many as a threat to slap judge Carrie Ann Inaba after she gave his wife, Jenna Johnson, a low score. Chmerkovskiy was visibly upset after Inaba critiqued Johnson and her partner Harry Shum Jr.'s performance, particularly their use of a 'lift,' which is against the rules. His deleted TikTok post, referencing a 'Fresh Prince' entrance into the ballroom, drew comparisons to Will Smith's infamous Oscars slap. Chmerkovskiy later issued a public apology, expressing deep regret for his 'careless post' and acknowledging his responsibility as a role model. Upon his return to the show, Chmerkovskiy and Inaba shared an embrace, with Inaba assuring viewers that they were on good terms and that their relationship as coworkers remained cordial.