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Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) is delivering more than just glitter and footwork. With accusations, online feuds, emotional exits, and pointed jabs traded between professional dancers and contestants, the series has seen a wave of controversies that have captivated fans. The season, which is set to conclude on November 25, has been defined as much by its off-stage drama as it has by its elaborate choreography. Here is a look at the flashpoints that have turned this season into one of the show’s most talked-about chapters in years. DANCING WITH THE STARS – “Premiere” (3401) – “Dancing with the Stars” returns for its 20th anniversary. Cohosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, with judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough, the ballroom welcomes 14 new celebrities for their first live performance. TUESDAY, SEPT. 16 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless) VALENTIN CHMERKOVSKIY, ALIX EARLE 1. Maks Chmerkovskiy Criticizes Jan Ravnik’s DWTS Debut Former Dancing With the Stars professional Maks Chmerkovskiy publicly took aim at new pro Jan Ravnik, questioning his qualifications during an appearance on The Penthouse with Peta podcast, hosted by his wife Peta Murgatroyd. “Jan has absolutely no business being a pro,” Chmerkovskiy said during the episode. “There’s zero foundation, technique, quality, understanding of the partnership. Bro, I’m getting emotional. It is absurd, and this is unreal how blind we have to be.” The criticism stemmed from Ravnik’s performance on the Wicked-themed episode on October 21. Chmerkovskiy said: “He had no idea what foxtrot is supposed to look like…I’m like, ‘bro, is anybody going to explain it to him?’” Ravnik, who previously danced on stage during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, made his DWTS debut this season partnered with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jen Affleck. Following their elimination on Halloween Night, Ravnik responded to Chmerkovskiy’s comments in an interview with Us Weekly. “I mean, look, everyone has [an] opinion. Everyone has a right to have [an] opinion. Haters [are] going to hate and whoever loves us, loves us,” he said. 2. Hilaria Baldwin Says She Was ‘Bullied Off the Show’ After being eliminated earlier in the season, Hilaria Baldwin blamed online hostility for going home. “I did get bullied off the show,” Baldwin said in an Instagram Live on October 12, according to Deadline. She acknowledged that criticism over her appearance on the series had taken a toll but expressed gratitude for the experience. “I’m so grateful for this experience that I had on Dancing With the Stars,” Baldwin said. “I never thought I would dance again, and I have all of you to thank for writing into the show and making this wild experience happen.” In a separate video posted for World Mental Health Day, she said: “One of the most common things that people say to me when they meet me—when they actually meet me—is how surprised they are by the negativity that I receive because in reality, I am none of the negative things that some people say, and that breaks my heart.” DANCING WITH THE STARS – “Disney Night” – It’s the most enchanting night of the season as “Dancing with the Stars” celebrates the spirit of Disney, in honor of the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration. The 11 remaining couples take the ballroom on a wondrous journey, dancing to songs inspired by beloved Disney films and attractions. TUESDAY, OCT. 7 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless) ALFONSO RIBEIRO, JULIANNE HOUGH, HILARIA BALDWIN, GLEB SAVCHENKO Still, not everyone listening was convinced. Season 27 winner Bobby Finger took to TikTok to respond to Baldwin’s claims, challenging her theory that her early elimination was the result of a strategic bullying campaign. “As somebody who was treated like crap by the hardcore fans of the show, yeah, bullying happens. But you don’t get bullied off the show. You get kicked off the show because nobody voted for you.” Each week one contestant is eliminated from DWTS based on a combination of judge’s scores, and number of votes from the public. 3. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas Backtracked on Fan Giveaway Reality TV star Whitney Leavitt and her dance partner Mark Ballas appeared to find themselves at odds with show producers after planning a fan giveaway. Leavitt, who is a favorite to win the current season of the competition show, was keen to give away two tickets to Tuesday’s live show, including flights and hotels. All hopeful winners had to do was comment on their favorite Mark Ballas meme. However, in a TikTok video posted to Leavitt’s account on October 25, the pair said they had been told the giveaway could not go ahead. Ballas explained, “It’s completely out of our hands.” @whitneyleavitt we’re gunna get creative and find a way to make it up to you! 💕💗love you guys! ♬ origin...
