Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas Christopher Willard/Disney through Getty Pictures)
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas are nonetheless hoping to discover a option to thank their followers after being compelled to pause their Dancing With the Stars giveaway plans.
“It was a mishap,” Leavitt, 32, informed Us Weekly solely after the ballroom competitors's Halloween Evening episode on Tuesday, October 28. “[It's] one thing we wished to do for the followers after which discovered we couldn't. It's what it's, however we're going to search out out one thing to do … to say how a lot we recognize them.”
Ballas, 39, added that any concepts must wait till “after the season” is over. (The season 34 finale airs November 25.)
Shortly earlier than Tuesday's Halloween-themed performances, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star and her professional companion shared “some dangerous information” with their TikTok followers after beforehand asserting plans to ship two fortunate followers to the DWTS ballroom for a dwell taping.
“We simply bought out of rehearsal, and we have been each knowledgeable that we really can't do a giveaway for the Dancing With the Stars dwell present,” Leavitt mentioned within the clip, with Ballas noting that the choice got here “straight from ABC and BBC and is totally out of our palms.”
Julianne Hough, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas on ‘Dancing With the Stars' Disney/Christopher Willard
Leavitt added that the pair would “get inventive” about one other option to reward their followers. “It simply actually sucks as a result of Mark and I simply wish to do one thing actually particular for you guys which have proven us a lot assist and love, for us and the present,” she defined.
The thought and subsequent cancellation triggered controversy, with some social media customers even accusing Ballas and Leavitt of “bribing” viewers for votes. Others argued that “these feedback wouldn't be half as hateful” if one other pair of DWTS rivals have been those providing the tickets.
Regardless of the negativity swirling outdoors of the ballroom, Leavitt and Ballas pulled off a formidable jazz routine to Inexperienced Day's “Mind Stew” on Tuesday evening. The judges — together with former professional Cheryl Burke, who returned to the ballroom for the primary time in three years on Halloween Evening — gave the pair 37 out of 40 factors.
The twosome obtained suggestions that they have been out of sync on the dance ground, however Leavitt insisted it had nothing to do with the giveaway backlash. “It wasn't taking part in in my thoughts in any respect,” she informed Us.
Like a real professional, Ballas mentioned he was wanting ahead to watching the footage again and evaluating what may need gone fallacious. “I can inform you that it felt good,” he continued. “And on the finish of the day, as a coach, I need it to all the time really feel good for my pupil. So yeah, I'll go house and watch it again. … It's like being knowledgeable NFL participant. You're knowledgeable, you go on the market and coach goes to have some phrases for you after the sport. In order that's a part of the method.”
Ballas famous that he didn't count on each routine to be good. “After all there's going to be issues that we have now to work on. She's new to this [and] by no means achieved this earlier than, on this capability,” he informed Us. “There's critiques for everybody.”
Leavitt and Ballas bought an additional increase for profitable the dance marathon, including 5 factors to their general rating. Forward of Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame Evening on November 4, Leavitt hopes to enhance on her timing.
“I wish to actually work on it, as a result of it additionally was an issue within the up to date [on Dedication Night],” she informed Us. “I feel I anticipate the following transfer the place I really feel like I want to take a seat again and actually hearken to the music, be extra current within the second. So I all the time recognize the suggestions.”
Dancing With the Stars premieres on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, with new episodes streaming the following day on Hulu.
Show your DWTS fandom with Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv! Compete in opposition to different followers and Us editors within the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league this season to foretell which pairs will make it to the finale for season 34. Get entry to unique content material, stats and an opportunity to win prizes. Join the league totally free right now!
