On the season 23 premiere of Dancing With the Stars on Monday night, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte’s debut was interrupted by two audience members.
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“What he did in Rio did not represent Americans well”, said Barzeen Soroudi, who was arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing for his onstage antics during the ABC series, TMZ reported.
This morning, Good Morning America released new footage of the confrontation, which showed that one of the men briefly made contact with Lochte as he was being taken away by security.
Disgraced US swimmer Lochte was left feeling “a little hurt” after the two men were arrested. I basically said in certain words we don’t do that here.
Watch above via ABC’s GMA. Reports citing witnesses said several other protesters were wearing similar shirts in the audience. Cheryl commented: “I’m hurt for Ryan”, Cheryl told Tom after the commercial break. When the show returned to the broadcast, Lochte appeared unharmed but still affected by the incident.
Ryan Lochte’s partner is speaking out after Monday’s “Dancing with the Stars” protest that took everyone – dancers, audience and at-home viewers – by surprise.
Inaba also posted a photo on social media expressing her thanks to the “DWTS” security team. There have been previously unexpected moments on the live show – notably Marie Osmond passing out after performing – but none have been security incidents.
Last month, Lochte was charged with making false report of robbery after claiming that he and three fellow US swimmers were robbed at gunpoint after competing at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
In the aftermath, Lochte lost all four of his sponsors and was suspended from USA swimming competition for 10 months.
Bergeron said that “the mood in the room was definitely in Ryan’s corner after these guys were escorted out”. “There are always skeptics about everything. but look, it wasn’t a bit”.
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A representative for “Dancing With the Stars” also told ABC News that the show is conducting “a full evaluation of security procedures” and will make any necessary changes.
