The latest season of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) has been rife with unexpected twists, especially surrounding the celebrity contestant Alix Earle. As the competition heats up, the dynamics among the participants and judges have become increasingly complex. Not only did Earle deliver a remarkable performance during the Halloween-themed episode, but the reactions from her family and the judges added an intriguing layer to the unfolding drama.
In the episode aired on October 28, Alix and her dance partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, took to the stage performing a haunting routine set to Billie Eilish’s “bury a friend.” With a stunning display of choreography, the pair garnered an impressive score of 39. However, their quest for a perfect score was thwarted by judge Cheryl Burke, a former DWTS champion, who awarded them a score of 9, while the other judges unanimously gave them 10s.
Family reactions and social media buzz
Following the performance, Alix’s stepmother, Ashley Dupré, took to TikTok to express her pride and excitement. In her video, she shared her enthusiasm, captioning the clip with “INSANE!!!! So proud of you!!!!” as she watched Alix’s routine alongside her children. This heartfelt display of support was a stark contrast to the tension brewing over the judging panel’s decisions.
A sharp critique from Ashley
However, the atmosphere took a turn when Ashley reacted to Cheryl’s score. In an unexpected outburst, she directed a pointed comment at the television, saying, “Oh, go take more Ozempic!” This comment, directed at Cheryl, left her children baffled, prompting them to ask, “Go take more Ozempic?” Ashley defended her statement by critiquing Cheryl’s appearance, stating, “What? She looks weird. Doesn’t even look like her.”
These remarks come in light of Cheryl’s openness about her struggles with body image and the pressures of maintaining a specific weight as a dancer. In a candid interview earlier this year, she discussed the strict expectations placed on dancers, revealing the emotional toll it can take. “As a dancer, we were stuck in front of mirrors constantly, it was important to stay at a certain weight, and my dance coaches were really strict,” Cheryl explained. This statement highlights the intense scrutiny that performers face in the competitive world of dance.
Understanding the impact of body image on performers
Cheryl Burke has also addressed the speculation surrounding her weight loss, specifically regarding the use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. She expressed her frustration over the assumptions people make about her appearance, stating, “These are all assumptions that people have thrown at me, as far as Ozempic, my face.” Such comments reveal the harsh realities that come with being in the public eye and the challenges of maintaining a healthy body image.
The harsh nature of public scrutiny
Burke’s experiences underline the cruel nature of public commentary, especially when it comes to body image. “I’ve always had criticism, but what’s shocking is that this is worse than when I gained weight. These are really mean and cruel messages,” she lamented, shedding light on the deeper emotional scars that can accompany fame and the relentless judgment that follows. The fallout from the recent episode has not only put Alix in the spotlight but has also ignited conversations about the impact of public perception on personal well-being.
Despite the controversies and sharp exchanges, neither Alix nor Cheryl has publicly addressed Ashley’s remarks since the TikTok video surfaced. The unfolding drama continues to captivate fans of DWTS, illustrating how competition and personal relationships intertwine in the world of reality television.
