Derek Hough has responded to the backlash surrounding the unusually low scores handed out during the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 premiere. After several contestants received scores of just 3s and 4s, some fans and performers questioned whether the judges had been unnecessarily tough during the opening episodes.
The discussion intensified after Guillermo Rodriguez and professional partner Witney Carson received only 10 points out of 30 for their cha-cha. Hough and Bruno Tonioli each gave Rodriguez a 3, while Carrie Ann Inaba awarded him a 4, making the performance one of the lowest-scoring routines in the show’s history.
The ballroom audience was clearly unhappy with the result, responding with loud boos when the score appeared. Carson later defended her partner and described the two scores of 3 as “a little mean” and “uncalled for,” while Rodriguez admitted that he did not want to receive another 3 in the competition.
Hough, however, says the lower numbers were intentional and part of an effort to change what the scores mean throughout the season. Speaking to Us Weekly, he explained that the judges wanted to create more room for contestants to show measurable growth as the competition progresses.
“I think it’s changing the value of the numbers,” Hough explained. He acknowledged that the approach could initially be “a little bit of a shock to the system,” particularly because viewers are accustomed to seeing higher numbers early in the competition.
According to Hough, the idea is that receiving a 5 should eventually feel meaningful rather than automatically being interpreted as an insult. By starting with lower scores, the judges can potentially make higher numbers later in the season represent a clearer improvement in technique and performance.
Hough also rejected the idea that the lower scores were necessarily a negative reflection on the contestants themselves. He explained that the numbers were intended to reflect the judges’ scoring philosophy and leave more room for improvement as celebrities become more comfortable with ballroom dancing.
The judges’ tougher approach was evident across the premiere. Guillermo finished with 10 points, while Conner Leavitt received 12 and several other contestants earned scores in the mid-teens. At the other end of the leaderboard, Harry Shum Jr. earned 21 points, the highest score of the first night.
Hough also emphasized that he saw plenty of talent among the new cast despite the lower numbers. His explanation suggests that viewers should not necessarily interpret an early 3, 4 or 5 as a prediction of how far a contestant can go, but rather as a starting point from which the judges expect to see improvement.
With the scoring debate continuing after the premiere, the next performances will show whether the judges maintain the same approach throughout Season 35. For Carson and Rodriguez especially, the attention will be on whether their next routine can turn the criticism surrounding their opening score into a stronger showing on the ballroom floor.
Compiled with information from various sources.
