Fans of the hit competition show Dancing With The Stars have been left divided after eliminated contestant Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner Mark Ballas performed their prepared freestyle routine on a popular podcast, a move many are labelling a breach of etiquette.
The Controversial Performance
Whitney Leavitt, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and pro dancer Mark Ballas were unexpectedly sent home from the ABC show during the semi-finals on Tuesday, just one week before the grand finale. Their elimination disappointed many viewers who believed Leavitt was the strongest dancer in the competition. The finale was ultimately won by Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson, who lifted the coveted Mirrorball trophy.
The controversy ignited during the Wednesday episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, hosted by Alex Cooper. The episode was intended to address the significant online backlash Leavitt had faced throughout the season regarding her extensive dance background, which includes a dance degree from Brigham Young University and past competitions against DWTS pro Witney Carson.
A Theatrical and Critical Freestyle
The podcast appearance concluded with the couple performing the freestyle routine they never got to showcase on the live show. The dance was a theatrical piece, beginning to Frank Sinatra's "My Way" before transitioning into the theme song from Leavitt's show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
The performance featured a group of dancers in all-black with ski masks, using iPhones as flashlights. Leavitt was flung into the air and collapsed to the ground. Ballas then lifted a now-bleeding Leavitt as the pair applied clown makeup, a move intended as a commentary on the performative nature of social media. The routine concluded beneath a flashing sign that read, "Social Media Is Bad for Your Mental Health."
Fan Backlash and Accusations
While some applauded the creativity and choreography, a vocal portion of the DWTS fanbase took to social media to express their disapproval, calling the decision to perform the routine elsewhere in poor taste.
One user on X posted, "I'm probs just a hater but I think Whitney and Mark performing their own freestyle outside of the show is in really poor taste. You lost, don't be a sore loser. I've never seen any other contestant so bitter to not make the final."
Another supporter of the show agreed, writing, "Whitney and mark doing a 'freestyle' dance in chd is so tasteless bc they're basically saying that the finalists aren't deserving of dancing in the finale which is just so disrespectful."
A third critic summed up the feeling, stating, "Whitney and Mark performing their freestyle on Call Me Daddy is giving a participation award. Y'all were eliminated, others didn't get to perform their freestyle either."
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about competition etiquette and how eliminated contestants should handle their exit from a major television show.
