All the biggest scandals on DWTS Season 35 so far as viewers are left repulsed

Lauren DuBoisSat, October 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC

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DWTS controversy Season 35 (Image: ABC)

Dancing With the Stars has been plagued with controversy over season 35.

Dancing With the Stars came off of a massive resurgence in season 35, with season 34 being one of the best-rated in years, but season 35 has been marked by a series of controversies that could wind up hurting its newfound popularity, as fans have become repulsed by the series of issues.

The dance competition series, which is currently airing its 35th season on ABC, has been slammed by a number of controversies, which have impacted things from the casting, to alleged drama behind-the-scenes, and even the eliminations.

Now, after fans were left sickened by another elimination where they felt the couple ousted was "robbed," another scandal has erupted that is additionally making fans repulsed by the way things are playing out.

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The season, which saw the show bring on its biggest cast in years, and even split its premiere into a two-night event, has been dealing with the countless controversies-which have potentially also affected the records it had been setting each week with viewer votes.

Here are the biggest scandals that have played out.

Fans are angered by castings of Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr. (Image: Getty)

The season started off with controversy when it announced the cast and revealed that it included Step Up franchise alumni Dewan and Shum Jr. Fans were enraged that the two-who both got their start as backup dancers for artists like Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, and more.

The backlash was so severe that Carrie Ann Inaba was forced to weigh in, revealing how the two didn't have the advantage everyone thought they did.

Early elimination of the two newest pro dancers (Image: Getty)

Fans were quick to fume after the two-night premiere, as the first two couples cut were the ones featuring the show's two newest pro dancers, Hailey Bills and Adele Zaikman.

Fans expressed anger over their dual ouster so quickly, as they felt it was unfair that they weren't given a chance to prove themselves for more than a single episode each.

Guillermo Rodriguez avoids elimination (Image: Getty)

When it comes to celebrities who some fans think need to be eliminated, Guillermo Rodriguez has topped many lists, after he has continually failed to score as highly with the judges as his competitors.

However, while many have been left fuming that he remains on the show, others have continued to threaten that he "wasn't going anywhere," and have continued to give him their votes-and that has continued to be a problem.

Britt Stewart is knocked out early-again (Image: Getty)

In addition to anger over Rodriguez staying in the competition, fans have expressed anger over the couples that were cut ahead of him-specifically Bitt Stewart and Taylor Hanson during week three.

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Fans were especially upset that Stewart had been cut, noting that she had yet to make a finale and that they were starting to get angry for her.

Britt considers quitting the show (Image: Getty)

Adding to the backlash over Stewart's early elimination, reports surfaced that the long-time pro was seriously considering quitting the show next season.

"All of the other pros were supporting Britt, but there were some specifically who told her ‘you don't need this show' and encouraged her to move on if she wanted to," a source told the US Sun.

"It's way too early and raw for her to decide how she'll proceed and if she'll come back next season. She agrees that other pros get treated better than her. She agrees that she was never set up for success."

Everyone is stunned by her ouster (Image: Getty)

In addition to Stewart having conflicting feelings about her future on the show following her early elimination, the rest of the show's cast and crew was also feeling it, with the same source that shared she was thinking about quitting admitting everyone felt the tension.

"Last night the ballroom was the most tense and emotional it's been in years," the source said. "There was a lot of crying, which is normal on elimination nights, but the pure anger and tension you could feel in the room was unmatched," they said.

"Not just with the other dances but the crew and the audience as well. The vibes went from feeling like a birthday party celebration to a funeral."

Jackson Olson and Guillermo Rodriguez backstage drama (Image: Getty)

Drama has also erupted backstage with the celebrities themselves-after Jackson Olson poked fun at Rodriguez in a since-deleted social media comment.

After another banana ball player recreated Rodriguez's iconic dance from Yacht rock Night, he commented on the post, writing, "But seriously how did you do this better than him with 2 hours of rehearsal."

After backlash, he later shared an apology.

Fans continue to hit out at theme nights (Image: Getty)

Fans have also been expressing anger and exhaustion when it comes to the show's theme nights-which saw Yacht rock week followed by Mariah carey Night-and a Super Bowl night right around the corner as well.

Fans have expressed that they find the endless nights to be "annoying."

Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong become the next surprising cut (Image: ABC)

Adding insult to injury, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong became the next couple to be eliminated, just one week after Stewart and Hanson-sparking more backlash for the show as fans express disgust that they were cut-but Rodriguez was still in.

Armstrong himself also appeared annoyed by their cut, saying after their elimination, "Look, I really think this competition is about a journey. I'm super bummed, because I really think Ciara was one of those people who was getting better every single week. I think it was noticeable. I think it was cut short, which was a bummer."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”