Top 20 Most Controversial Dancing with the Stars Contestants

[@MsMojo]

Which controversial “Dancing with the Stars” casting choice made YOU switch off, and did any pique your intrigue more? Let us know below, and check out our video of the Top 10 Debut Dances on Dancing with the Stars - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZKxi6OqZcZomMU

[@yourlocalgrannie]

RAY LEWIS!!!

[@TramiNguyen-oi3kp]

Awesome video!

[@frompatothebay6205]

@@MsMojo To the little guys I'd say

[@TheMoonRabbit27]

Anna Delvey being on Dancing with the Stars is the very definition of privilege. There are people who are spending years in prison for crimes less severe than hers, coupled with the fact that ICE actually approved her appearing on the show. The double standards are appalling and unfair.

[@tesst3351]

a convicted felon is running for president so....

[@WhitfieldSinclair]

Took some of the words out of my mouth! Because she frauded from the 1%, and she's white, she totally got a pass.

[@frompatothebay6205]

It does suck but a comeback story is always cool

[@TheMoonRabbit27]

@frompatothebay6205 A comeback story is only viable if the person is actually remorseful and wants to change. Not once has Anna expressed any remorse or even apologized for her actions. In fact, she seems almost proud of the fact that she has stolen from people. In my eyes, that makes a person irredeemable.

[@xxelmoth]

The double standards are very appalling. They just murdered an innocent black man here in Missouri.

[@patrickmaldonado1313]

In the case of Nicole Scherzinger & Mckenzie Ziegler and Heather Morris While a dance background gives you an edge. We also seen contestants with little to no experience go on to win the whole thing.

[@ChristoAbrie]

i'd like to see an entire season with celebrities who are experienced dancers. It'll be interesting to see who could adapt the quickest to a new style. And in the end, it's just about giving us a show-stopper performance.

[@hectorsmommy1717]

Most dance training does not give ballroom training. It is typically ballet, jazz, and contemporary plus maybe tap and/or softshoe, unless it is a special ethnic dance school like African or Irish. I think the main reason why athletes and dance trained entertainers do so well is because they have already learned muscle control, how to listen to their body, and coachability.

[@joylindadichamounix]

They had every reason to be there. Ray Lewis was accused of murder!

[@kaelynsmith1242]

I feel like dance is so diverse so you may be a professional dancer in certain styles but that doesn’t mean you are proficient in others

[@joylindadichamounix]

@@kaelynsmith1242 Exactly. Kristi Yamaguchi is an ice skater & was probably trained in ballet but not ballroom. She said that she wished that she had watched the ice dancers more.

[@belinus7180]

I agree with Tom Bergeron, keep the political folks out. I stopped watching the show because of that crap. And sorry, getting rid of Tom was a stupid move on ABC's part.

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

If Tom was still around, Anna Sorokin would have never been allowed to be on the show!

[@rosee7011]

I never watched before Alfonso. I think he is great. I have gone back and watched some of the older shows recently and I don't think hosting was better in the past than it is now.

[@COMPFUNK2]

Tonya Harding also appeared on Worst Cooks in America Celebrity Edition…and WON.

[@Kait16xo]

Watchmojo favoriting this is sending me

[@isaacmartinez6904]

I still remember the protesters that went onstage while Ryan Lochte was dancing.

[@otterwithadarkside4422]

THAT GAVE ME SO MUCH ANXIETY AS A KID

[@otterwithadarkside4422]

AND THEY HAD TO CUT TO COMMERCIAL BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING TO BE TOO MUCH

[@rosee7011]

I feel bad for him. Yes, he did a bad thing, but he has moved on. He is trying to better himself. That should have been a safe space, not a shaming space, for him.

[@chrismathgenius]

Heather Morris' elimination is still the biggest robbery in Dancing with the Stars history.

[@joylindadichamounix]

Agreed!

[@geraldyashinsky2578]

I would say simone biles as well

[@joylindadichamounix]

@@geraldyashinsky2578 Why?

[@TheMizAngel]

So was Sabrina Bryan's

[@3l3llala13]

Donnie Osmond winning over Maya was a travesty,

[@lonellfletcher]

At the time he might've been controversial, but I don't think Ryan Lochte should be at number one.

[@coolgirl312]

Agreed. Though what he did in Rio was wrong in so many ways, I feel like many others on this list have done a lot worse and have had multiple controversies.

[@ForrestFox626]

All the political contestants should have been #1

[@corinnecannings6410]

Anna Delvey, Really! I like watching DWTS but this casting is ridiculous! She’s a convicted criminal! Is DWTS that desperate for contestants? I would specifically vote her off first just based on the fact of her criminal status! Carrie Ann Inaba stated that everyone needs to give her a chance. Why?? if she was not famous and guilty of these crimes NO ONE would give her the time of day! Come on Dancing with the Stars dig a little deeper!

[@pumpkin9961]

Agreed, I see so many news reports of people scamming people of their life savings and it's extremely sad and upsetting that they would allow Anna D on the show.

[@petrapetra-o4h]

Regular person will be deported back to the country after committing fraud but not her. This is crazy.

[@Pandasarethebestest]

We love dwts, but REFUSE to watch this season because of Anna Delvey. She’s not a celebrity, she’s a con artist criminal

[@jacksonia7724]

Well she got eliminated last night. Does that change anything?

[@SusanBethGaming]

At least she's gone now.

[@24esjay-24]

Louder so the folks in the back at ABC can hear ya!!!

[@meahdahlgren6537]

Pandasrethebestest will I think she's both

[@meahdahlgren6537]

​@@SusanBethGamingright

[@alissatanner2955]

With all Anna Delvy people are talking about. News flash: she’s gone now but it looked like she was miserable on the show anyway. So maybe this was for the best

[@tangiechapman6219]

She got pay 💰

[@tiffprendergast7]

Yup

[@SilverStrumer]

She was crying in the restroom after the first live shows due to online comments. Staying on the show would’ve been bad for her wellbeing.

[@rosee7011]

At least she is trying to make an honest living now.

[@anthonysulpizio2269]

All she wanted was an escape from the criticism. She obviously did not get that so we got the famous “nothing”

[@KevinHealey95]

Frankie Muniz was the only contestant I actually cared about

[@sydney6852]

I don't care who you are if you have an assault record, you should never be cast on a reality show, it's not safe for other contests, production teams, or your dance partner.

[@userTJ39780]

They did it all for the the ratings, all for the ratings.

[@Janjanbobaney]

This show and 90 Day fiancé glamourizing criminals.. bad enough we have seen verbal and physical abuse on 90 day and now the “celeb “ dancers who have done some shady things to say the least.

[@tiffprendergast7]

& everything on tlc

[@MegaAlexis92]

I stopped watching when they fired Tom

[@assabaakouetevi9142]

Me too

[@samkingsway6564]

I'm in this club...100%

[@donaldwilson2620]

Agree.Tyra was a terrible replacement.

[@michelledawn7446]

All because he was vocal that politicians/criminals shouldn’t be on the show. And he’s right. The show is an escape for people, but it relies too much on controversy and gimmicks.

[@filmaphobic]

He was fired?? I know he’s not the host anymore but?

[@TramiNguyen-oi3kp]

I love these Dancing With The Stars moments!

[@COMPFUNK2]

“Popularity”? Who tf is Bobby Bones?

[@BailcuryG27]

A radio and television host.

[@SilverStrumer]

Mentor on American Idol!

[@ellamurray3099]

Clearly someone very popular based on his victory and low scores!

[@PTRAINBOY]

What's next? A dancing death row inmate?

[@Trix897]

I know, right? Their choice of Anna was disgusting.

[@Yorkylover27]

Don’t give them any ideas.

[@SusanBethGaming]

Seriously. Also, I still don't know why Anna was even on in the first place.

[@TheLegendaryMovieCritic]

Anna Delvey & Carole Baskin eliminations are so satisfying!

[@charlotte241000]

Jamie Lynn spears did that same thing on I'm a celebrity I've defended her in the past but over the past year boy did she show her true colors

[@vanessastegall]

That’s what I am saying about Anna this season.

[@trippysiren7966]

I'll forever stand on that. It seems to send a very bad message that you can commit federal crimes and still be called a "celebrity" and get a Netflix series.

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

@@trippysiren7966She's an awful person!

[@stevennieves3327]

13:07 "this was the first time DWTS crossed into the political realm" Bristol Palin competed in season 11. Tom DeLay, the former U.S. House Majority Leader, competed in season 9.

[@adunndoneit4241]

RAY LEWIS!!!! The NFL player who participated in a killing, whose white suit he was wearing that night still hasn't been found, who was the only one who pleaded to charges, who likes to pretend that it never happened and likes to stay in a world where others pretend the same! He was all but gone after the first week with an "injury', but also realized that he was outside of his 'body, what body' comfort zone!

[@joylindadichamounix]

Thank you! I am glad that somebody else recognizes this.

[@SusanBethGaming]

Even though she's gone, I still don't know why Anna Delvey was chosen to be on in the first place.

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

Neither do I, she was terrible!

[@camecex]

The producers know what they are doing and it is disgusting.

[@alirehman4858]

Even if they have background in dancing they also taking a risk cuz imagine if they lose against someone with not history of dancing, learning and excelling throughout the show and eventually winning it. Dancers with previous training and experience truly help u realise that the non-dancers truly are learning and doing amazing.

[@stevennieves3327]

The only advantage people like Nicole Scherzinger and Heather Morris have are that they may be more flexible than other contestants, other than that you can't say they have more experience than other contestants because the type of dancing they do is not the same as ballroom.

[@Animeguy300]

Interesting list 🧐

[@rebeccac.l.5601]

All these people using DWTS to prove they have "changed." Genuine change doesn't have to be proven, but community service and good deeds are more effective than going on a dance competition

[@SilverStrumer]

Idol is still a popular show and Bobby being part of it actually boosted his chances of winning DWTS!

[@ashleybatchelder9202]

You listed Anna Delvey as FOUR?! Not sure how you determined rankings, but that undermines your credibility.

[@rachel.0352]

Listing Adrian Peterson as 12 was what got me. He beat his children.

[@donnahaynes138]

Olivia Jade is the definition of nepo babies

[@sumoclift]

I even forgot Jamie Lynn was there lol

[@COMPFUNK2]

Anna Delvey talks like a Kardashian.

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

She WISHES she were one of them!

[@savannah4439]

Wow, Olivia Jade looks EXACTLY like her mother

[@Nawalanasfictionaltools]

This show is not about who the best dansers are. It is all about who is most popular. I don’t watch any of it anymore. They don’t praise talent.

[@HikazePrincess]

Did you ever vote for anyone? That's how they stay on.....vote against the bad dancers

[@Nawalanasfictionaltools]

No I don't live in The United States

[@raenoway]

Wow…I guess I never followed DWTS closely cause they have a clown car full of odd choices. It seems like they use controversial casting to keep people interested, like rage bait social media content.

[@mytruecrimelibrary]

Tucker Carlson was on the show too 🤮

[@raenoway]

@@mytruecrimelibrary what why??? That’s going to be a hard pass.

[@glsweeney721]

At least Anna is already gone

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

Which is a HUGE relief to me ,because I don't understand why she was even allowed to be on the show in the first place!

[@kyuketsukisan19]

I feel like DWTS has long since run its course and needs to be retired as "entertainment"...

[@Therezumee92]

Sadly, yes. I loved it, but it jumped a shark a while ago and once they lost Tom as a host it has become unwatchable.

[@joylindadichamounix]

Ummm.... Ray Lewis? Did we all forget that he was accused of killing somebody? If you get accused of killing in The US, you don't go to jail....You go on DWTS!

[@wmassey683]

Nicole is controversial cause she’s a dancer? Come on now yall just looking to hate her now huh?

[@francesvalderas-jones6360]

After Bobby Bones won, I lost interest.

[@getoutusedition]

The questionable contestants on this list were all about the ratings for the show.

[@carolinelowe6304]

I didn’t even know half of these people

[@haydendegrow945]

I stopped watching this show after Lochte's involvement. I lost my faith in the show and when the original hosts left, i just gave up entirely. These people have all given reasons to either roll my eyes at the seasons I watched or reasons never to return to the show

[@samkingsway6564]

Can't believe It hasn't been cancelled.

[@catseye1009]

Delay did not deserve a great partner like Cheryl Burke. His quick exit was the best gift to the viewers.

[@pumpkin9961]

Why doesnt DWTS track down all the people who are scamming people of their life savings and invite them to dance on the show? I will never watch dancing with the starts again, I don't know what's wrong with them that they would have people on their show solely known for being a criminal!

[@charlotte241000]

Didn't Kareena even walk out on Floyd during rehearsals because of how rude he was to her

[@reneeangely8446]

Tony did the same thing to Kate. She was extremely rude!

[@joylindadichamounix]

The one that played Erkel was very rude to Kym as well.

[@samuelcollantes1175]

Happy tuesday afternoon, Emily, take care and God bless you. Greetings from Colombia to you as well

[@barbarakehoe2157]

Good job! Cactus will always be part of all our families ❤

[@fireflyparker7543]

Anna Delvry is on this list? To be honest, I actually did expect this!

[@reneeangely8446]

Just goes to show that nowadays, the show is just scraping the bottom of the barrel for ratings. It’s why I stopped watching the show after being a big fan for so long. I feel sorry for the dance partners of most of these people.

[@katienelson5496]

Not even bringing up Jennifer Gray? She won first and was trained for dirty dancing. I still think about this!

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

She was awesome in every way!

[@cindyjill1]

Wow. This really accurate 🙂‍↕️

[@briannacouto3203]

I am still pissed about Bobby fucking bones

[@montanaminck2226]

Agree, Milo and Whitney were robbed

[@sumoclift]

I’ll never recover from that as a huge DWTS fan

[@faithjacqueline3351]

I don’t understand how you could add McKenzie and not add JoJo

[@notinspect]

hot take - i never cared about dance experience. while people might scoff and say its unfair, and i can understand that, at the end of the day im watching for the dances. and if the dances arent good, im not watching.

[@RandiPoitras]

I’ve never heard of most of these people

[@ClairesUniverse]

It's funny how it's "only a problem" when conservatives are given a platform. But when liberals are, everyone thinks it's iconic. Either make it equal, or don't have political figures on your shows.

[@rachel.0352]

I was thinking the same thing. If it's controversial to have a political figure on the show just because they're conservative, there's something wrong with society.

[@ClairesUniverse]

@@rachel.0352 if Camel Toe was asked to be on it, all the liberals would literally call her a queen and say it’s iconic🙄

[@ForrestFox626]

I'd complain no matter the party

[@juliemiller2440]

How disgusting. We wonder why so many don’t take responsibility for their actions. Shame on Disney.

[@Madeitweird]

Between dance experience, being massively unbalanced, or the first stop after scandal or politics on redemption arcs always seem like knocking the fun out of the show. Tyra's hiring was what made it tedious to watch, especially during the pandemic. The magic was gone for me.

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

I am SO GLAD that Anna Sorokin (I refuse to refer to her by her alias) got the axe last night, she was not into it at all!

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

And it SHOWED!

[@ractio78]

So is Gypsy Rose next???

[@DuchessOfDance]

Gypsy was actually innocnet tho-

[@ractio78]

@@DuchessOfDance whether or not people believe her to be innocent or a killer or somewhere inbeteeen, she'd still be very controversial

[@DuchessOfDance]

@@ractio78 because of her **MOM.** GYPSY HERSELF did not have any say in what she was a PART OF

[@ractio78]

@@DuchessOfDance okay and that doesn't mean she wouldn't controversial regardless. Shoot her social media presence has people shook up. Everytime she makes a video it has people talking good and bad. Just the drama between herself, her current man, and her ex is a lot. I don't think the situation with her mom is so black and white, it's extremely complicated with a lot of abuse towards her, but her social media presence since she's been out and all her drama has done her no favors with a lot of the internet and the internet perception of someone is extremely relevant when it comes to considering some of the cast controversial. So you may believe she wouldn't be but I'd bet a lot of money people would cause a stir if she ever got the call for the show and went on

[@Therezumee92]

@@DuchessOfDance How is she innocent???? She did get her mother killed and served time. Just because she was somewhat justified in her actions does not make her innocent.

[@brandonkong4299]

Surprised to not see Joe Amabile on here since he was considerably controversial for lasting as long as he did despite being at the bottom on several occasions and he was on the same season as Bobby Bones who’s still the most controversial winner to this day

[@GamingKingdom91]

I guess you can say Tom DeLay was ...... DeLayed 😂

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

Ha ha, good one!

[@jeanaerowley7150]

I think it’s really interesting that only republican politicians are featured on DWTS as “celebrities”. Is that because the show has a political agenda or bias? Or do democrats believe this behavior is unbecoming for a politician and therefore not appropriate? Rick Perry and Sean Spicer were truly disgusting choices that made me rage quit the show.

[@sheehan92]

🤣🤣🤣 Spicer should have won

[@jeanaerowley7150]

@@sheehan92 Not really the point I was trying to make and I seriously didn’t watch him, was he good?

[@sheehan92]

@@jeanaerowley7150 He was terrible, he could hardly move. But he improved somewhat towards the end. I supported him nevertheless.

[@Benleyy]

@@sheehan92sean spicer is a loser, and he was HORRIBLE every week 💀 the mentally-ill Republicans were able to keep him around for that long however, but even the judges said he didnt deserve to be there: based on his potential compared to the others.

[@bonyjoe1111]

I watched all of them, but, I was happy when they were voted off, still not happy about Bobby Bones winning, clear cut, he should have not even gotten that far, sad

[@AmandaBarbee]

I don’t know why Bobby bones is on this list. He is not controversial he has not committed a crime or has priority dance experience. I’m really glad that he won. He deserved it.

[@patricewillams3810]

i bet u diddy will b on this show

[@rosysimmons8986]

Leave Bobby bones alone. He is loved by the country and his state of Arkansas

[@ForrestFox626]

Who?

[@HikazePrincess]

There's always gonna be controversy, there's always gonna be contestants with dance experience.......if you're gonna act all surprised and "How dare they" about it, then just stop watching now

[@shaliseshaw9385]

The woman who scammed people with her German royalty scam, Ryan Lohte, Sean I don't care about that guy's last name, and other controversial Dancing With The Stars contestants shouldn't have been on Dancing With The Stars. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@Mhurren_DND]

You forgot with Anna's famous "Nothing" quote

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

Yeah, she did not sound impressed!

[@LaurenAddorisio]

I really thought Cheryl was going to get hurt somehow when the protesters came. to be honest I don't think the college admissions scandal was Olivia's fault it was her parents

[@keyonce1798]

Who's bobby bones

[@andrehernandez6541]

Stop inviting politicians if it’s just gonna create controversy

[@sharikajeter3612]

DWTS has a history of casting contestants, who have made headlines for the wrong reasons. Go through the list of every contestant that's been on the show and you will find at least one person, who made headlines for whatever reason. The show is not just a career reboot for some who may have been out of the spotlight, it can also be a image rehab as well. Doesn't work for everyone, but at least they learned a new skill. Whenever the new season is approaching and they're going to announce the new season's contestants, I wonder who will be that season's "controversial contestant". Anna Delvey was this season's "controversial contestant" Unlike the other "controversial contestants":, Anna already got the boot. The others manage to make it to the third week, before they get eliminated. Anna wasn't so lucky. I disagree with Ryan Lochte being #1. I have a feeling he was put on top of the list because there were protesters in the audience and several rushed the stage, after his dance and temporarily interrupted the show. Not sure what would have happened, if the protesters rushed the stage during his dance? The show's goal is to get people talking and they do, so "mission accomplished".

[@varietygameplayandmore8189]

These networks want their ratings and various figures sometimes get them.

[@laurenfurlong6845]

You forget Brandy, she killed a woman!

[@rachel.0352]

Just looked it up and it says the woman crashed into the car in front of her and then stopped suddenly. Her stopping suddenly caused Brandy to hit her. The woman also had marijuana in her system. Getting into a car accident is not the same as killing someone.

[@joybiasi6422]

It's an insult to have her on the same stage with all of them

[@bearkimhongwit3735]

Disney teen

[@Benleyy]

Anna needs to come back on the next all stars season

[@Benleyy]

Sean Spicer was really the lowest low

[@Kait16xo]

I’ve hated Kate Gosselin since I was a child (I’m literally only a few months younger than the twins). And she’s probably easily the contestant I hate most (Jamie Lynn Spears is definitely up there)

[@Kait16xo]

Also them basically firing their long time hosts just to have Sean Spicer for a single season was such a waste. Seriously stupid

[@htgar8201]

So Dancing with the Stars is a right-wing image fixing program. Well, as long as it is entertaining... idc

[@rachel.0352]

Including a drag queen and a same sex pairing doesn't sound very "right-wing image fixing" to me.

[@TroyCarson-p9r]

DWTS - "Everybody makes mistakes." - Little mistakes like wife beating, child-beating, large scale financial fraud, crashing your car into a utility pole while high on cocaine, putting your husband into a meat grinder and feeding him to your tigers, etc.

[@lilliedoubleyou3865]

We get it, Ms. Mojo, you hate GOP and Fox News contestants. But there has to be a reason the producers seek them out to be on the show, compared to democrat and cnn personalities. Ratings matter. That said, every last one of them (besides Bristol) was CRINGE.

[@happytheory4836]

Bring on Mr Beast!!! Now is the time 😂😂😂

[@Cloker79]

all these people are for views only

[@joybiasi6422]

Anna did not belong on there is this what things have come to we reward bad behavior she is famous for doing bad things ridiculous she does not belong on any show she is not famous for anything good I'm glad she's gone plus she has a huge chip on her shoulder but she did it to herself for her wrong doing who ever made the decision to ask her to be on the show should be fired everyone else on their are reputable people n they throw her on there what a joke

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

Yes, we should not be rewarding criminal behavior!

[@lorellrogers1216]

It was great that she got cut so early in the show. I don’t think most people could’ve stomached watching her be rewarded for her atrocious behavior.

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

I know I wouldn't have been able to stomach her behavior either, she's such a brat!

[@MichaelBlaneWalker]

I still think Anna Delvey is REALLY fashionable!!!

[@cjenngo]

Stars? Where? Who? Please make this ridiculous show GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@wildyam474]

One thing is for sure... the show and network are Republican owned. 😂

[@tiffprendergast7]

What’s wrong with that

[@katherineknapp4370]

😮

[@DaveMartin-z1r]

I'm so out of it, I've never heard of most of these losers.

[@RAINBOWNATE]

Love Anna DelVey and her partner Ezra Sosa she was my vote to win the entire competition I’m being 💯 honest.

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

Well, she wasn't really that good, to be honest!

[@skye3799]

I want to see these z listers doing something else like diving or passing a grade 10 math test.

[@SCPSTORIEZ]

Woww im early