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💡 TLDR
Danielle Fishel is calling out major double standards on DWTS, claiming judges are way harder on women than men. From unfair scoring to the crowd booing female judges, the bias is real and it’s officially time to spill the tea!
Danielle Fishel is officially calling out the double standards on the ballroom floor, and honestly, it’s about time someone said it. While chatting on her podcast Ballroom Breakdown with guest Kym Johnson, the former Boy Meets World star shared some majorly spicy thoughts about how female contestants are treated compared to the guys. Having been a contestant herself who got booted from the show last year, Danielle definitely has the receipts to back up her claims.
A Major Scoring Discrepancy
The tea spilled during a discussion about the recent Horror Movie Night episode, specifically regarding guest judge Shirley Ballas. Things got awkward when Ballas handed both Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali scores of 4, despite having previously awarded Tyler Cameron a 5. Both Fishel and Johnson were completely blindsided by the decision. Kym Johnson admitted she was “surprised” by the scoring because she genuinely thought the ladies performed better than that. Danielle wasn’t holding back either, noting that if the women were getting 4s, then Cameron’s dance was definitely worthy of a 4 as well. “I do believe that the judges, all of them, have a tendency to be harder on the women than they are on the male celebs,” Fishel explained.
💫 “I do believe that the judges, all of them, have a tendency to be harder on the women than they are on the male celebs,”
The Bias Extends to the Audience
It’s not just the scoring that feels off; Danielle thinks the entire energy of the show is skewed against women. She pointed out that this pro-male bias doesn’t stop at the judging panel—it actually trickles down to the people watching at home. According to Fishel, there is a massive difference in how viewers react based on who is sitting in the judge’s chair. While men can offer constructive criticism without much drama, female judges like Carrie Ann Inaba or various guest judges often find themselves getting booed by the crowd. To her, it’s a pattern of unfairness that shows up in multiple different ways throughout the competition. It’s a total lack of fairness, and we aren’t surprised.
Do you think the scores on DWTS are actually biased, or is it just part of the show’s drama?
❓ People Also Ask
Why does Danielle Fishel believe there is a double standard on Dancing With The Stars?
Danielle Fishel believes there is a double standard because judges tend to be significantly harder on female contestants than they are on male celebrities. During a discussion on her podcast, she highlighted a specific instance where female dancers received lower scores than male counterparts for similar performances. This perceived bias suggests that the scoring system does not apply the same level of scrutiny to all contestants regardless of their gender, creating an uneven playing field on the ballroom floor.
What specific scoring discrepancy did Danielle Fishel and Kym Johnson notice?
Danielle Fishel and Kym Johnson noticed a discrepancy during the Horror Movie Night episode involving judge Shirley Ballas. While female contestants Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali were awarded scores of 4, male contestant Tyler Cameron had previously received a 5. Both Fishel and Johnson expressed surprise at these decisions, noting that the women's performances appeared to merit higher marks. This inconsistency served as a primary example of the scoring bias Fishel believes exists within the competition.
How does the audience react differently to male and female judges on the show?
The audience often reacts more negatively toward female judges compared to their male counterparts. While male judges can provide constructive criticism without facing significant backlash, female judges like Carrie Ann Inaba or various guest judges frequently deal with being booed by the crowd. This pattern of behavior suggests that the bias against women extends beyond the judging panel and influences the energy and reception from the viewers watching the show at home.
What prompted Danielle Fishel to speak out about the treatment of women on Dancing With The Stars?
Danielle Fishel was prompted to speak out after witnessing perceived unfairness in how female contestants are scored and treated. Having been a contestant on the show herself, she used her podcast, Ballroom Breakdown, to address the lack of fairness in the competition. Her observations were fueled by specific scoring inconsistencies during recent episodes and a broader pattern of bias that affects both the judging process and the way the audience perceives female participants.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: Deadline