Dancing with the Stars celebrates episode 500 by honoring its past as today’s contestants add a twist to some iconic performances during season 33.
DWTS is a live show, so that means anything can happen on stage as the celebrity cast and their pro partners compete for a mirrorball trophy. Along with the best routines are the most awkward moments. Here are some of the most memorable.
Master P’s unfortunate ‘DWTS’ record
In season 2, rapper Master P joined the show as a replacement for his son, Romeo, who dropped out of the cast due to an injury. However, P ended up creating an unfortunate DWTS record that still stands 500 episodes later.
He made it to week four of the competition. However, his stiff and uncomfortable to watch Paso Doble alongside pro Ashly DelGrosso received the lowest score ever in Dancing with the Stars history: an 8/30.
Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani feud
Reality star Kate Gosselin and her partner Tony Dovolani had to overcome personal issues during season 10 of Dancing with the Stars. The easygoing pro threatened to quit after a heated on-camera exchange with the celebrity.
While rehearsing their Jive, the DWTS cameras caught Gosselin saying she wasn’t a fan of the seasoned ballroom veteran’s teaching style. She added he wasn’t receptive to how she learned.
Dovolani took offense, stating that he had been a dance teacher for years and no one had ever questioned him. He later said, “I had a weak moment where I let her get to me. I completely overreacted and I feel terrible about it.”
Gosselin reacted, “I know that I can be frustrating at times, so I don’t blame Tony. I wouldn’t want to teach myself.”
Ryan Lochte protestors rushed the stage
Protesters rushed the stage after Olympian Ryan Lochte’s first Dancing with the Stars performance alongside two-time mirrorball winner Cheryl Burke, interrupting the live show. The incident occurred as Lochte was receiving one of the judge’s critiques of his dance routine.
Lochte joined season 23 to overcome of negative publicity he received over claims that he and fellow swimmers were robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro. Host Tom Bergeron quickly cut to a commercial break during the incident, but not before the camera captured the shock on Lochte and Burke’s faces.
Marie Osmond collapses
While receiving notes on her season 5 Ssamba with partner Jonathan Roberts, Marie Osmond collapsed to the ground. The singer subsequently received medical attention and was cleared to continue on the series.
It was later revealed that Osmond had been feeling lightheaded throughout the day. She was reportedly having breathing difficulties due to California wildfires that raged through the state in 2007.
Maks Chmerkovskiy tells Len Goodman he should retire in season 13
After dancing with Hope Solo during DWTS season 13, pro Maks Chmerkovskiy wasn’t too keen on criticism of their performance. Len Goodman, then the series’ head judge, had some harsh words regarding the technical aspects of the couple’s dance.
Goodman said it was Solo’s “worst dance” thus far. Chmerkovskiy challenged him, saying, “As long as the audience likes our journey.”
Goodman countered, “The audience liked the effect. I’ve been in this business for nearly 50 years…” before Chmerkovskiy told him he should “retire.” The pro was corrected by judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli for disrespecting Goodman.
Sabrina Bryan’s elimination
In season 15, front-runner Sabrina Bryan was axed in week six. She was a fan and judge’s favorite and received the season’s highest score for her first dance, followed by a perfect 30 score in week four.
Voters may have assumed Bryan was safe and decided not to vote for her, even though they loved her performances. “We had a lot of advice from other celebrities and producers that if we came out too strong we could get a backlash,” she said to ABC News.
However, the duo didn’t take heed and continued to give their all in every performance. “We wanted to be true to ourselves,” Bryan explained.
Dancing with the Stars celebrates its 500th episode on Nov. 12, 2024. The series airs at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and the next day on Hulu.
