‘DWTS’ Viewers Defend ‘Best Contestant’ After Judges’ ‘Brutal’ Comments on Semi-Final Night

On “Dancing with the Stars” semi-final night, the TV personality and his professional dance partner took on the challenging Paso Doble.

Viewers rallied behind Joey Graziadei and his partner, Jenna Johnson, after the judges delivered harsh feedback on their dance routine, leaving fans convinced the score was undeserved.

Graziadei and Johnson performed a Paso Doble to “Come Together” by Lennon and McCartney for their Latin dance. Following their perfect score for the Foxtrot earlier in the competition, the pair aimed to replicate their success by channeling the precision required for the Spanish-inspired dance.

Graziadei stepped onto the dance floor embodying the spirit of a matador. He delivered a performance filled with dramatic flair and powerful movement. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba praised the “attack” and “passion” of the routine but critiqued some of Graziadei’s footwork.

Bruno Tonioli agreed, noting areas for improvement while applauding the energy of the performance. However, Derek Hough disagreed with his fellow judges, arguing that Graziadei aced it.

Ultimately, the duo earned a score of 28 out of 30—a strong showing, though not the perfect score they had hoped to repeat. Fans felt that Joey Graziadei deserved all the 30 points and they voiced their discontentment online.

One passionate viewer exclaimed, “I am SO DONE THIS WAS THE BEST DANCE OF THE SEASON. PERIOD. JOEY HAS BEEN THE BEST CONTESTANT ALL SEASON. OVER THESE JUDGES.”

Another fan couldn’t hide their frustration, writing, “Brutal judges comments! Should have gotten maybe 1 point off, no more, so 29. Everyone VOTE for...