Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas recently opened up about the hate mail they received during their time on “Dancing With The Stars,” revealing just how much the negative messages impacted them. The duo, who were not fan favorites on the show, shared some of the hurtful comments they received during a podcast interview with Alex Cooper on her “Call Her Daddy” podcast.
Whitney, known for her role on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” and dance pro Mark were targeted by online trolls throughout season 34 of the hit dancing competition. Whitney was often labeled as the villain on her show, which seemed to carry over to her partnership with Mark on “DWTS.” The couple faced criticism for various reasons, with fans taking issue with everything from perceived favoritism from the judges to Whitney’s reactions during eliminations.
The hate they received online took a toll on both Whitney and Mark, with Whitney admitting that it was the hardest part of her experience on the show. Mark even shared one particularly vicious message he received, where someone told him, “You’re completely worthless and I hope you burn in hell one day.” This level of vitriol was just the tip of the iceberg, according to Mark, who hinted at even more hurtful messages they received.
Despite not making it to the finals, Whitney and Mark faced a barrage of criticism throughout their time on “DWTS.” Some fans accused the judges of showing favoritism towards them, while others took issue with Whitney’s perceived smirks during eliminations. Additionally, there were complaints about Mark being allowed to play his own guitar riffs during their performances.
The couple’s candid discussion sheds light on the dark side of reality TV fame and the toll that online hate can take on contestants. Despite the challenges they faced, Whitney and Mark are now focusing on moving forward and using their platform to speak out against cyberbullying. Their resilience in the face of adversity serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness and empathy in the age of social media.
