Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas entered the chat regarding the online fodder involving DWTS pro Rylee Arnold and Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro finalist AJ Pritchard.
ICYMI, Rylee was partnered with AJ for a performance and tasked with providing the judges with commentary/feedback about her experience working with AJ. Rylee communicated her opinion and expertise, as asked.
AJ’s fiancée, Zara Zoffany, defended the British dancer via social media. “[Rylee] — AJ wouldn’t have had to critique you in the first place if everything had been right.” Zara told Rylee, “I hope you were able to take something positive and useful from his teaching and feedback.”
Shirley, a legendary ballroom dancer, feels it is a “shame” Rylee was robbed of the respect she deserves from her role on The Next Pro. “Rylee has earned her place on DWTS through hard work, dedicating her time to all styles.”
“I have a lot of respect for her,” continued Shirley. “Shame others do not. 🔥🔥🔥.”
Shirley wasn’t the only DWTS star to come to Rylee’s defense. Her BFF, Ezra Sosa, took to social media to say, “I usually stay out of stuff like this, but this genuinely made me sick to my stomach. Rylee is my best friend. I love her, and I will speak up for her.”
“Rylee is more than qualified to be a pro. One dance with a completely different partnership does not erase the years of training, talent, and work that earned her that title.”
The Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro finale airs on ABC tonight at 8 p.m. ET.
