The DWTS Val / Carrie Ann controversy

I know I haven't been writing every week about this season of Dancing with the Stars, but I am absolutely loving it! 

The dancing has been great, and it warms my heart to see how close the cast has become. I've been watching a lot of behind-the-scenes footage as well as every live episode. Every season I think the cast roots for each other and commiserates when contestants are voted off, but this season seems to be more like a family than others. 

Unfortunately, that warm, fuzzy feeling has been interrupted by a family squabble that has resulted in a school-like suspension. 

During last week's show, Carrie Ann complained that Harry and Jenna had a lift during their routine. They were dancing a Samba, and lifts are not allowed in a Samba. She still gave the couple a score that aligned with the other judges. Many fans were outraged by her comments, and Val, in an attempt to stand up for his wife, made a post on TikTok that referenced Will Smith's Oscar slap. Val deleted the post, and sincerely apologized for his actions, but the damage was done. 

Here are my thoughts:

As a judge on DWTS, Carrie Ann's job is to critique the performances. If she loved everything and never gave any constructive criticism or adhered to the rules of a dance, she wouldn't be doing what she is paid to do. Too many fans love what they love and who they love, and they only want praise and adoration for the routines and the contestants. That's not what a dance competition should be. 

I don't think Carrie Ann was "mean" to Jenna at all. I don't think Carrie Ann deserves the outrage she is getting from the fans. Carrie Ann has said repeatedly that all of the judges want the dancers to improve and do their best, and one of the ways that happens is through constructive criticism and critique. 

I understand Val wanting to support his wife, but he definitely went about it the wrong way. He acted impulsively and with his heart rather than his head. In that moment, he needed to think as a professional dancer, not as a husband. Posting a loving comment to Jenna would have been wonderful. Instead, what he did was post something that looked like he was threatening Carrie Ann with bodily harm. Very bad decision. I appreciate his genuine apology, and I understand that people make mistakes. Unfortunately, his was a very public mistake, as was Will Smith's. 

Dancing with the Stars is all about the enjoyment factor, but the technique has to count too. Take Connor and Rylee for example. Connor's last two dances have been SO fun! I have loved them. I have watched them more than once. Sexy, cheeky, enjoyable dances. The ballroom has gone wild for them. But in both dances, the technique was lacking. And the judges have scored him accordingly. As they should. I mean, they could consider an artistic score and a technical score, like they do in figure skating, but that would be too complicated and time consuming. 

I hope the fans can move on, and Jenna, Val, and Carrie Ann can move on from this very unfortunate incident. Let's get back to the fun, dance fans!

librarianintx