Julianne Hough reveals ‘DWTS’ champion who shouldn’t have won: ‘Not the best dancer’
Julianne Hough agrees with the many “Dancing With the Stars” fans who don’t believe Bobby Bones should have ever won Season 27 of the dance competition series.
While appearing on Sunday’s episode of “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,” the professional dancer was asked whether there has ever been a celebrity on the show who she has “strongly disagreed” with taking home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Hough – who currently co-hosts “DWTS” with Alfonso Ribeiro – initially hesitated on her response before fellow “WWHL” guest Mickey Guyton nudged her and whispered, “Bobby Bones.”
“Oh, I actually agree with you! And I think it’s because of the fanbase, right? It’s all about the fanbase on that show,” Hough explained. “He was not the best dancer, I agree.”
However, both Hough, 36, and Guyton, 41, quickly followed up their responses by applauding Bones for his “great” fans who “love him.”
Bones later responded to the subtle shade in an Instagram video on Monday but had nothing negative to say about the “awesome” Hough and even owned up to being a “terrible dancer.”
“I was the worst dancer. I take pride in that. Now, I tried as hard as anybody in the history in the show, but I can’t dance now, couldn’t dance then. But, you know who took down the big evil empire of dance? Well it’s not evil or an empire –– but me!” Bones said in a selfie video.
The “Bobby Bones Show” host defended being the “greatest champion ever,” because he is a “man of the people.”
Bones won Season 27 of “DWTS” with his pro partner, Sharna Burgess, in 2018 after racking up consistent fan votes and making headlines for his rogue “flossing” moves.
However, the win was controversial as he earned the lowest judges’ scores each week and ultimately beat out fellow high-scoring competitors like Alexis Ren, Evanna Lynch and Milo Manheim.
Even Neil Patrick Harris tweeted at the time, “Dancing With the Stars just confirmed why I don’t watch Dancing With the Stars.”
In an interview with Good Housekeeping prior to his win, Bones, 44, admitted that he had a “disadvantage” over other contestants due to his lack of skills and training.
“I think they [the judges’ marks and critiques] are fair. I don’t think they want me to win, frankly. I think the judges want somebody who came in with more dance experience to win,” he told the outlet in November 2018, referring to then-judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.
“But that’s why the show isn’t just about the judges — it’s also about the people. I think the show hasn’t had a winner like me ever, and I don’t know what that means to them.”
He added, “So, I don’t think they want me to win, but that’s OK.”
Bones has proudly shrugged off the haters ever since – and has even encouraged other contestants to do the same.
Last season, the radio host exclusively sent a video to “Too Hot to Handle” alum Harry Jowsey via Page Six amid ongoing backlash from fans wanting him to get booted for his low scores. The reality star was teamed up with Rylee Arnold and left the competition ahead of the Season 32 Finals.
“I’m seeing you get some slack online and, yeah, welcome to the club, buddy. People hate us, ’cause they ain’t us, and they don’t work like we do,” Bones told him last year.
