Dancing with the Stars viewers have called for Shirley Ballas to become a permanent judge after her debut on the panel split opinion. The BBC Strictly Come Dancing head judge earned immediate praise from some fans for her frank feedback and tough scoring, with supporters arguing that the show's other judges were "too soft".
Fans Praise Ballas's Tough Scoring
One viewer wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "I haven't seen the Dedication Night and last night's episode but I am going on a limb and say Shirley Ballas should be a permanent judge on #DWTS." Another added: "We need Shirley every szn...those judges are too soft and it pmo", reports Wales Online.
Others highlighted the detail in her assessments. One fan said: "Shirley Ballas taught me more in one episode from her feedback than I've learned this whole season from the other three judges #DWTS."
Another defended her approach, writing: "Y'all cannot blame Shirley for this. She is giving good critiques and is rightfully judging harshly. The problem is the producers giving half the people contemporary/jazz because there's a lot less to criticise and basically everyone gets at least a 7 just for showing up."
Criticism Over Low Marks
However, the calls for a permanent role were not shared by everyone. Ballas's low marks prompted criticism from viewers, as well as audible reactions from the studio audience.
Actress Julia Stiles received a four from Ballas for her Argentine tango, while the other judges awarded sevens and eights. Explaining her score, Ballas said: "I didn't find that there was much tracing on the floor. I found [the] gauchos too slow, not fast enough. I need sharper, controlled legs. Also, posturally, it wasn't quite in the right place."
One unhappy viewer wrote: "I never want Shirley on my screen again. What a joke of a judge, horrible scoring." Another said: "I'm sorry I don't wanna see 4s from Shirley Ballas this is supposed to be a fun show we don't take stuff serious in America #dwts."
Ballas Defends Her Judging
Ballas had previously revealed that judging Dancing with the Stars was a long-held ambition. She told Prima magazine: "It's double duty this year. That was a job I've always wanted. It's been on my wish list."
She also anticipated a different audience from Strictly, adding: "I feel that Dancing With The Stars will be a slightly different audience. I think I can probably be more strict. It's going to be very interesting."
Despite the calls for her to join the American show permanently, Ballas has confirmed she has no plans to leave Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking to Good Morning America after the show, she defended her scoring: "I always believe that whatever's in my heart, I have to put forward."
She continued: "There is always a place for somebody to grow. So if you are giving out 10s every week, where are they going to grow to? So I like to give them hope and to also give them a good understanding about the level to my experienced eye."
Ballas added: "I'm not very good at doing fluff. It's very straight down the line for me." Addressing the reaction to her fours, she said: "A four for me is a great score, when they get a four or a five in England they are like 'Yay!', I could obviously tell here though that four was a paddle you are definitely not used to seeing."
She concluded: "But it is what it is and I have to sleep with myself at the end of the day, so I always do things fair and try to be the best version of myself that I can for people."
Dancing with the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ in the US.
