Rumor has it that some Dancing with the Stars pros are not exactly happy with how things are going behind the ballroom doors.
The “tea” comes courtesy of The U.S. Sun, so proceed with caution.
However, we wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a sprinkle of truth mixed in.
This season has been buzzing since premiere night, thanks to chatter about pairings, scoring, and favoritism.
Longtime pros Jenna Johnson (paired with Corey Feldman), Britt Stewart (paired with Baron Davis), and Brandon Armstrong (paired with Lauren Jauregui) were all eliminated early — leaving fans scratching their heads.
Some theorized that Britt and Emma Slater are being intentionally paired with “older” contestants due to their involvement with the DWTS tour.
Emma has publicly debunked that rumor.
Still, fans can’t help but ask: why are the show’s most seasoned dancers being paired with lower-visibility celebs, while newer pros like Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa get the more viral-friendly partners?
DWTS Drama
According to the insider, veteran pros are feeling “overshadowed by younger talent.”
“There have been passive-aggressive remarks on set. Some of the older pros are really getting fed up with the producers’ strategic partner preferences,” the source claimed.
Jenna, Britt, and Brandon reportedly feel “done dirty” this season.
The insider even alleged that Jenna and Brandon have discussed quitting after the season wraps.
“They don’t have anything personal against Rylee or any of the newer pros — it’s the system they’re angry with,” said the source, adding that production is now “scrambling” to keep everyone happy.
“Producers are trying to play it cool, but if they’re not careful, they’re in danger of losing all of their legacy talent.”
And honestly, fan commentary hasn’t slowed down either.
Between inconsistent judging, previous dance experience among contestants, and head-scratching eliminations, the ballroom has been messier than ever.
Some viewers have pointed out that Mark Ballas being paired with Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Whitney Leavitt — who holds a college degree in dance — feels like a blatant display of favoritism.
Others argue Andy Richter has overstayed his welcome, outlasting contestants with far more growth and rhythm.
DWTS has always had a popularity contest element, but now that the show’s gone viral on TikTok, fans say it feels more like Survivor than the wholesome competition it once was.
So, could these rumors be completely false? Absolutely.
But if fans are seeing the favoritism, it’s not hard to believe some pros might be feeling the same way behind the scenes.
