The season-23 premiere of Dancing with the Stars was marred when two men made their way onto the ballroom dance floor Monday night during the critique of embattled USA swimmer Ryan Lochte while at least four other people yelled anti-Lochte chants from the audience. There were shouts of “liar!” during the live broadcast.
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People could be seen rushing in front of the Inaba, like security personnel. Swimming is a -” She paused, looking confused, then shouted, “Excuse me!
After returning from an unplanned commercial break, Bergeron explained that they “had a little incident”, and that he would like to thank the security team for “staying in shape”. So it’s surprising to Bergeron that even though celebrities must know the deal by now (the show is a great-but-physically-grueling career move), some participants are still naive about the process. Others – four or five women responsible for the anti-Lochte chants – were escorted out of the audience.
A Los Angeles police department spokesperson confirmed that the two individuals were arrested, and as NBC News first reported, “held pending charges on suspicion of trespassing”.
As for how Burke was holding up after the protesters stormed the stage, she was visibly shaken and clearly Team Lochte all the way. “I wanted to do something that I’m completely not comfortable with and I did and I came out here with a big smile and I have the best dance partner”.
The turn of events left Burke dismayed on her partner’s behalf. According to live remarks transcribed by Deadline Hollywood, Lochte said: “I’m doing good”. “He’s an awesome guy”. “I hope people give him the chance”. Regardless of viewers’ opinions of the swimmer, the show wants everyone – judges and viewers alike – to evaluate the athlete on the basis of his dancing rather than his actions during and after the Olympics. Lochte added that he was “a little hurt, but I came out here. Only positive energy here tonight and always”, she wrote.
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Lochte joined Season 23 of “Dancing With The Stars” after a spate of negative publicity he received for admitting he “over-exaggerated” claims that he and fellow swimmers were robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro.
