Dancing With The Stars is about to look very different behind the scenes this fall. Its parent show, the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing, is facing a violent scandal at the moment. Now, it seems that it’s having a trickle-down effect on spin-off shows like DWTS.
Naturally, everyone wants to ensure the safety of all performers. What could changes look like?
DWTS Wants To Avoid Another Violent Situation At All Costs
Strictly Come Dancing pro Graziano Di Prima and his partner, Love Island contestant Zara McDermott, performed on Series 21 together. But their partnership was anything but a match made in heaven. Di Prima confessed to kicking McDermott during their time in the rehearsal room.
He parted ways with Strictly and also apologized on Instagram.
“I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime,” di Prima wrote. “Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away.”0
“While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends,” he continued. “I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future. I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.”
Now, production wants to do everything possible to prevent a similar situation.
Deadline reports that BBC Studios is working on implementing “new measures” to keep all contestants safe. On top of that, there’s going to be an “ongoing dialogue” with security measures involving international versions of the series, which includes America’s Dancing With The Stars.
Deadline notes that DWTS already has some safety measures, but they’re likely to increase after the Strictly incident.
“All future Strictly rehearsals will now be policed by a member of production staff. Meanwhile, two new dedicated welfare producers will be brought in and there will be additional training for the production team and crew,” the publication writes.
When Dancing With The Stars premieres this fall, it’s highly likely that similar safety protocols will take place in the rehearsal room.
Billy Ray Cyrus Was Reportedly Violent On Set During Season 4
Reports of violence on the American set aren’t common at all. However, Cheryl Burke recently revealed singer Billy Ray Cyrus was involved in a kicking scandal of his own during Season 4.
“We were all nervous. It was right before, light right when it was going to end, our dress rehearsal, our stage manager tells Billy Ray, can you get on your mark? So that, you know, the director can light you,” Cheryl said on an episode of Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans. “And he’s been asking like three, four times at that time, Billy Ray kicked our stage manager,” she continued. “Out of nowhere, straight up donkey kicked him. It turned into a hot mess. It was like, and his time was up after that.”
New security measures would certainly reduce incidents like these moving forward. At the end of the day, everyone just wants the best and safest environment possible for all performers.
Dancing With The Stars Season 33 premieres at 8 PM Eastern time on Tuesday, September 17 on ABC. Tune in and see which dancers and their celebrity partners will take home the Mirrorball Trophy this fall.
Nikole Behrens is a 2017 graduate of Ball State University where she finished with a degree in creative writing and a minor in Japanese. Today she is a professional writer for various companies and really enjoys contributing to TV Shows Ace.