Former “Dancing with the Stars” winner Bobby Bones is reflecting on his time on the show and admitting he bent the rules during his run on the ABC competition, according to reports.
The 45-year-old radio host recently revealed on “Bachelorette” alum Jason Tartick’s “Trading Secrets” podcast that he “cheated” during rehearsals while competing on season 27. Stars are typically limited to four hours of practice per day with their pro partners, but Bones admitted he recorded those sessions and continued training on his own in a rented studio.
“I cheated, in the way of, they give you a limited amount of time with your partner. Like, four hours a day, they say,” Bones explained. “So we would do our four, I would record the session and then go by myself and rent a studio myself and train myself. Like, illegally spent time over … because I was so far behind everybody else.”
Bones, who had “never danced” before joining the show, said he was “just as surprised as anybody” when he and partner Sharna Burgess won the mirrorball trophy in 2018. The pair beat out higher-scoring finalists Milo Manheim, Evanna Lynch, and Alexis Ren, ultimately winning thanks to overwhelming viewer votes.
Backlash From Fans and Judges
Bones’ victory was one of the most debated outcomes in the show’s history. Despite his consistently low scores, his massive fan base rallied to secure his win. Many fans and even some within the “DWTS” community criticized the outcome as a popularity-driven result rather than one based on dance ability.
Former judge and current co-host Julianne Hough has been one of the most vocal critics. During a 2024 appearance on Watch What Happens Live, she agreed with guest Mickey Guyton that Bones was the winner she “strongly disagreed” with, saying, “He was not the best dancer” and crediting his fan base for the upset victory.
Burgess later admitted the backlash was difficult for her, calling it “hurtful” to have her only win remembered as “the win that no one wanted.” “Of all the incredible seasons I had, I’m remembered as the win that no one wanted,” she said on the “Between Us Moms” podcast in October 2024.
Bobby’s Response and the Show’s Rule Changes
Bones has never shied away from acknowledging his shortcomings as a dancer. Following Hough’s comments, he embraced the criticism, even calling himself “the worst dancer” but “the greatest champion ever” because he was chosen by viewers. “I didn’t say I was the greatest dancer, but the greatest champion ever. I’m the man of the people. I’m the man that you guys selected,” he said on Instagram.
The controversy surrounding his win even led to major changes in the competition. Beginning with season 28, “DWTS” required fans to vote only during live broadcasts, and judges were directed to place more emphasis on technique after receiving “a lot of complaints,” Carrie Ann Inaba confirmed in 2019.
Looking back, Bones says he has no regrets. “I loved my time on the show,” he told Tartick, adding that Burgess was “really hard, but I needed that.”
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