While the dedication night of “Dancing With the Stars” radiated warmth and affection, a few instances led to some disappointment among the professional dancers.
Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov‘s jive in the episode on October 14, which was steeped in “Boy Meets World” nostalgia, didn’t impress judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
“I adore a throwback, but I must say this: some of your routines are beginning to feel repetitive. It’s like I’m witnessing the same dance repeatedly,” she remarked, prompting a chorus of boos from the audience. “Please aim for more variety and dynamics in your performances. This is also something for you to consider, Pasha.”
While Fishel has been open to receiving any feedback from the judges, Pashkov was not pleased with the critique.
“I felt quite unsettled. I always find myself feeling protective. To me, that comment seemed unjust, especially since she claimed the dances appeared similar. Yet, we did have a quickstep and a jive this week, two styles that are somewhat alike,” he expressed to Variety after their performance. “If we had performed distinctly different dances and they felt the same, I would understand her feedback. However, given the dances we did, her statement didn’t resonate with me. I am protective because I recognize the immense effort Danielle is putting in. I don’t think she warranted that critique.”
Fishel mentioned that she comprehended both Inaba’s feedback and Pashkov’s perspective. She also pointed out that her first-performance dance was a tango—a genre that leans more serious.
“My tango told the narrative of my journey through breast cancer. It was the first episode of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ where audiences saw me again. I had to make my debut without losing my smile and conveying my feelings,” Fishel shared. “So, my first tango featured a smile, followed by a cha-cha that was filled with joy, then a quickstep where I beamed, and lastly, a jive that maintained that upbeat energy. She’s not incorrect… All I can say is, next week’s Argentine Tango will present a wonderful opportunity to mix it up.”
Disney
Pashkov wasn’t the only professional dancer taken aback by the judges’ comments during the dedication night. Alan Bersten visibly reacted with frustration after he and his partner, Elaine Hendrix, scored 29 out of 40 for their foxtrot. Once the cameras ceased rolling, he exited the skybox angrily, only to return and reassure Hendrix of her excellent performance.
“Elaine absolutely nailed it, and I’m incredibly proud of her. This competition is fierce, and it’s important for her to recognize her efforts,” he told Variety. “I was blindsided by the 7s. I witness Elaine’s dedication daily, and we don’t see votes happening. Our only gauge is the judges’ quick feedback, which I respect, but I believed she did remarkably well.”
Tune in to “Dancing With the Stars” on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Hulu.
