The Dancing With the Stars ballroom has officially found itself in another headline storm — and this time, radio host and former DWTS champion Bobby Bones is at the center of it. After Hilaria Baldwin claimed she was “bullied off” the show following her October 7 elimination, Bobby didn’t hold back from sharing his perspective — and his words have quickly gone viral.
In a candid segment on his morning radio show, Bobby addressed Hilaria’s emotional comments directly. “As somebody who was treated like crap by the hardcore fans of the show, yeah, bullying happens,” he began. “But you don’t get bullied off the show. You get kicked off the show because nobody voted for you.” His blunt response drew both praise and criticism from DWTS fans across social media.
Bobby’s remarks referenced his own controversial DWTS run in Season 27, where his underdog journey and fan support carried him all the way to the Mirrorball Trophy — despite what many called “unfair backlash” from purist fans. By drawing that comparison, Bobby seemed to suggest that criticism and competition go hand in hand on the hit ABC series.
Hilaria Baldwin, who danced with pro partner Alan Bersten, became one of the season’s most talked-about contestants. Though her performances sparked both applause and debate, her elimination came as little surprise to longtime viewers who noted that audience votes often outweigh judges’ scores in determining who stays or goes.
Still, Hilaria’s claims that online harassment played a major role in her departure have reignited the conversation about the DWTS fandom’s intensity. She previously shared that she felt “attacked” and “misunderstood,” even saying the experience made her question whether to appear on live television again.
Bobby, however, stood firm in his belief that fan voting — not fan bullying — decides the competition. “This is a popularity show and a dance show,” he explained. “The people at home decide who stays. If they didn’t pick up the phone for you, that’s not bullying — that’s the game.”
Social media has since exploded with reactions. Some fans applauded Bobby’s honesty, calling it “refreshing” and “the reality check Hilaria needed.” Others accused him of lacking empathy, insisting that online abuse should never be dismissed or minimized. “Two things can be true,” one user wrote. “She didn’t get votes and she was bullied.”
Meanwhile, inside sources from the DWTS production team have reportedly backed Bobby’s view. One insider told Entertainment Weekly, “Eliminations are always based on a combination of judges’ scores and audience votes. No one is ever removed for personal reasons.”
As the debate rages on, both Hilaria and Bobby have found themselves representing two sides of a bigger issue — the balance between fair criticism, online toxicity, and the pressures of fame. Whether fans agree with him or not, Bobby Bones’ latest comment has once again proven one thing: the ballroom may glitter, but the drama behind the mirrorball never truly fades.
