Bruno Tonioli Explains How His Judging Style Has Changed Since Starting ‘DWTS’

Bruno Tonioli has been behind the “Dancing with the Stars” judging desk since 2005. The show has changed in the 20 years since he started, evolving as times change.

The show started as a ballroom competition and has now become an international phenomenon. The series has embraced social media stars, theme nights, and fusion dance styles as it has evolved with the times.

This means that the judging has also changed as the reality TV show has become more competitive. Ahead of season 35 premiering, Tonioli spilled some behind-the-scenes gossip about judging the dance competition show during a panel at Dancing With the Stars Con.

How Judging Has Changed On ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Over The Last 20 Years

Getty

According to People, during the Behind the Mirrorball panel at Dancing With the Stars Con, Bruno Tonioli admitted that the judges have become stricter over the years.

“The show has evolved,” he explained. “And they’re getting better and better and better. It’s become more and more competitive. [My] way of judging is changing because [I] go into details now that years ago I would never have been able to go because of what they deliver.”

The judging panel, which also includes Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough, doesn’t just judge the technique of a performance. They look at the “artistic” quality of the choreography and the “quality of the execution.”

“What I love about what the kids are doing now is that there’s this friendly competition to outdo each other,” he said about their beloved troupe of pro dancers. “I always say, ‘If you don’t give me something, I’ve got nothing to talk about.’ They keep surprising me. I love that it’s friendly competition, and you start to make everyone better.”

What Does It Take To Win The Mirrorball?

Disney

Later in the panel, former “DWTS” pro and three-time Mirrorball champion Kym Johnson-Herjavec asked Tonioli if there were any attributes to a celeb’s performance that can’t be taught. The Italian dancer admitted that sometimes contestants have a “certain quality” that just draws him in, no matter their status.

“I always say it’s not what you do, it’s the way that you do it,” Tonioli told Kym. “We can always make the same step. But some people reach out, have this extra switch that makes you go like, ‘Wow.’ And when I see it, I can’t even judge it anymore. I’m just right there with them in the moment.”

Tonioli said he felt “lucky” that people with star quality join “Dancing With The Stars,” but as a judge he still assessed their technical side as well as their performance side.

“In the back of my mind, everybody’s the same,” he added. “I only make my comments based on what I see and what they deliver. You really have to be very, very clear in your mind and watch what happens in front of you and look for the magic.”