Dancing With the Stars host, Tom Bergeron is defending Hannah Brown’s emotional response from Monday’s October 28 episode of Dancing With the Stars, where judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued Brown’s performance’s lack of charm. “You’re disconnected in the movements,” said Inaba to Brown, who began to tear up at the end of the episode.
Brown’s partner, Alan Bersten, admitted that he thought Inaba’s comment was “accurate.” Bergeron did not agree.
“I’m not seeing the disconnect the judges addressed, to be honest,” Bergeron told US Weekly. “I think Hannah is among several contestants who deserve to have an eye (or two) on the Mirrorball.”
After the episode aired, Bersten posted his own photo to Instagram (on Tuesday, October 29) where he wrote about how Brown is a “dream partner” to work with.
“You work hard, you care more than any other person I have met, and you put up with me. No you don’t have experience performing, singing, or acting. I know this doesn’t come easy to you, but you impress me every single day, when you go out there and you give it 100% I am so proud of you,” wrote Bersten. “I just wanted to say thank you, thank you for being an incredible teammate. Thank you for always leaving your heart on the floor, and thank you for trusting me on this journey. You not only inspire me, but you inspire everyone that comes across your infectious attitude!”
Moments later, Brown shared a lengthy post on Instagram, describing how she’s on the show wishing to flaunt her confidence after her emotional journey on The Bachelorette.
“I came into this experience a little broken and confused — more than I’ve shared. Every day has brought its challenges with my past, my fears, and the uncomfortableness of opening myself up again to be judged on something VERY scary like learning a new skill to perform each week,” Brown wrote. “A lot of suppressed emotions started to surface from this amazing, but grueling experience. I want to be me. I want to be real. I feel my best when I feel like I have the opportunity to share my heart with others. But I know that’s been lacking in what has been seen on DWTS. It’s true there is a disconnect. I am busting my a–. I am giving this my all. It’s my focus and passion right now. But each week I fall flat. I’ve gotten to the point of being so anxious before I perform that I can’t completely enjoy it like I wish and know I could.”
With that said, Brown repeated her message that she is ready to keep working through these hurdles.
“I KNOW I have a lot more I can give. I want to be able to feel free and confident to dance with my whole heart. I’m working on getting there. I’m not throwing a pity party. I can take criticism and understand hard work…and I also know that my attitude has to change to rise above this slump I’m in. But this is real life. These are real emotions. It’s okay to be grateful and positive, while also acknowledging the hard days we all have,” she wrote. “It’s so important to think positively, but it’s also important to acknowledge and feel all the feels. This pressure to pretend is not good for anyone. That’s how this crazy cycle of perfectionism continues to exist in a lot of us.”
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