Imagine the thrill of strutting your stuff on one of TV's biggest dance competitions, only to have your dreams dashed by what feels like a sneaky online mob—now that's the raw drama of reality TV at its most personal! Hilaria Baldwin, the famous spouse of actor Alec Baldwin, is pointing fingers at so-called 'mean girls' on social media for her early exit from season 34 of Dancing With the Stars. But here's where it gets controversial: is this just sour grapes from a disappointed contestant, or a real glimpse into the dark side of fan voting? Let's dive into the details and unpack what really went down.
Hilaria teamed up with seasoned professional dancer Gleb Savchenko for the show, and the duo was sent packing as the fourth pair to leave during week four's magical Disney Night episode. Their farewell performance was a fun Star Wars-themed quickstep, but it wasn't enough to save them from elimination. For those new to the world of ballroom dancing, a quickstep is a lively, upbeat dance style that originated in the early 20th century, known for its fast footwork and energetic moves—think Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers prancing across the floor in old Hollywood flicks.
In a candid chat with Us Weekly not long ago, Hilaria spilled the beans on her theory behind the axing. She's a relative newbie to TikTok, having joined the platform just a few months prior, and she described it as a fascinating yet frustrating experience. 'There are a lot of mean girls out there,' she said, hinting at a coordinated effort by some users to undermine her chances. And this is the part most people miss: these supposed 'campaigns' involved fans voting multiple times for other pairs—up to 10 votes per person per couple, thanks to the show's voting rules—but deliberately skipping Hilaria and Gleb to inflate everyone else's scores and suppress their support.
While she expressed happiness that her fellow competitors got the votes they deserved, Hilaria admitted she's bummed she couldn't showcase more of her dancing talent. 'I have such wonderful things to say,' she reflected, adding that it was disheartening to see negativity overshadow the positive. She emphasized that the majority of people are kind-hearted, and she longs for a day when viewers can appreciate her without all the 'crazy stuff' getting in the way—perhaps a nod to the chaotic online world where viral trends and rivalries can spiral out of control.
Throughout their run on the show, Hilaria and Gleb consistently landed in the middle of the pack with solid but not spectacular scores from the judges. Their final dance, for instance, racked up a respectable 23 out of 30 points, which is decent but not jaw-dropping in the competitive realm of Dancing With the Stars. For beginners wondering how the show works, it's a blend of judges' scores and viewer votes that determines who stays and who goes each week. Judges evaluate technical skill, artistry, and performance, while fans can vote online or via app to tip the scales—making it a perfect storm for drama when social media influencers or organized groups get involved.
This raises some eyebrow-raising questions: should we hold viewers accountable for bandwagon voting, or is it just part of the game's cutthroat nature? Critics might argue that Hilaria's take smacks of victim-blaming, suggesting it's the fault of 'mean girls' rather than her own performance not standing out. On the flip side, if coordinated voting really drowned out genuine fans, it could expose flaws in how reality shows handle audience participation. What do you think—does this highlight unfair tactics in entertainment voting, or is it simply the risk of putting yourself out there on a public stage? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're on Team Hilaria or if you see it differently. For more scoop on Dancing With the Stars season 34, check out The Hollywood Reporter's coverage right here.
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