DWTS Stars React to Show's 'Toxic' Fandom

Professional dancer Cheryl, 40, has offered her perspective on the term 'toxic' within the Dancing with the Stars community, suggesting it primarily describes aspects of the online fandom. She clarified that the show's production and its participants are not the source of negativity, emphasizing the duality of intense online adoration and severe criticism.

This discussion arises amidst ongoing sentiments from past contestants. Bobby Bones recently shared that comments from former host Tom Bergeron, expressing shock at his win, were hurtful. Bones stated that the impact came from the source of the remarks, not just the words themselves. He questioned the expectation to refuse participation when asked to promote a show he hadn't intended to join.

Both Cheryl and Bones touched upon the extreme nature of online engagement surrounding the show. Bones highlighted that even years later, he receives considerable hate, and figures like Tom Bergeron and Julianne Hough have publicly disagreed with his victory. The sentiment underscores a broader trend of intense public reaction, both positive and negative, directed at reality television personalities and their performances.