Fans Criticize 'Dancing With the Stars' for Pairing Decisions

Fans of "Dancing With the Stars" are expressing frustration over what they perceive as unfair partner pairings for professional dancer Britt Stewart. Despite her tenure on the show and past successes, Stewart has consistently been paired with celebrity contestants who do not advance far in the competition, leading to speculation about producer favoritism towards other professional dancers.

Stewart, who has been a professional dancer on the show for seven seasons, has previously been partnered with athletes like Adrian Peterson and Baron Davis, and actor Eric Roberts, none of whom progressed beyond the third week of their respective seasons. Her most notable recent partnership was with Daniel Durant, a deaf actor whom she later married. Despite these experiences, fans note that other pros, such as Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy, frequently receive partners with strong fan bases or prior dance experience, who then advance further in the competition.

This season, Stewart was partnered with Taylor Hanson. While host Julianne Hough suggested Hanson may have specifically requested Stewart, fans argue that the show's producers ultimately have the final say and should prioritize making the competition compelling. Complaints circulating on social media and in comments sections highlight a perceived imbalance, with some viewers expressing fatigue over seeing certain pros consistently paired with strong contenders.

Stewart herself has expressed a desire to reach the finale and win the competition. However, her consistent early eliminations have led to public outcry, with many believing she deserves a partner capable of handling challenging choreography or one with a significant social media following to ensure a longer run.

The first four episodes of "Dancing With the Stars" are currently available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.