Some fans of Dancing with the Stars are still processing the surprising early exits of “90210” actress Tori Spelling and Anna Delvey, the infamous “fake German heiress.” Despite their eliminations, the Sept. 24 episode set a new benchmark in fan engagement, attracting over 14 million votes—more than any episode in the show’s history, as confirmed by ABC.
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In its 33rd season, Dancing with the Stars continues to command a strong audience. ABC’s data reveals that the Sept. 17 premiere brought in nearly 5 million viewers, a slight uptick of 4% from last season’s debut, which had 4.78 million viewers. It remains the top live-watched reality show among adults aged 18-49 across broadcast and cable networks, per Nielsen ratings.
Catching Up on Past ‘DWTS’ Activities
Tori Spelling’s departure was met with frustration from her management. Ruthanne Secunda, Spelling’s manager, light-heartedly expressed her discontent during an episode of Spelling’s Misspelling podcast, humorously calling the elimination an “outrage” and joking about contacting 60 Minutes to investigate the voting process.
In recent weeks, the show has also welcomed iconic guest judges. After a short break, Dancing with the Stars returned with a “Soul Train Night” special, featuring actress Rosie Perez as a guest judge. Known for her work in “Do the Right Thing” and “White Men Can’t Jump,” Perez was a fitting choice given her dancing roots on the classic variety show Soul Train. At 60, she made her return to the dance scene, sparking nostalgia for long-time fans.
The following episode kept the energy high with KISS frontman Gene Simmons stepping in as a guest judge for “Hair Metal Night.”
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Transparency in Viewer Voting – A New Era for Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is revealing the exact number of viewer votes for the first time in its history in an effort to foster greater transparency and public involvement.
The amount of fan interest in the tournament is evident from the 14 million votes that were cast in the September 24 episode. With more openness, the show’s creators hope to enhance viewer experience and fortify the relationship between rivals and their supporters.
This change is in line with a growing trend in reality television, where openness and public involvement are essential to retaining viewers. Dancing with the Stars hopes to encourage even more fan involvement as competitors vie for both audience and judge approval by releasing voting data.
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Adapting To Keep Fans Engaged
Since its debut in 2005, Dancing with the Stars has remained one of the most popular reality shows on television, blending celebrity performances with audience participation. The introduction of new dance styles, a diverse range of contestants, and now real-time voting totals showcase the show’s commitment to staying relevant.
As the current season progresses, fans can expect even more surprises, electrifying performances, and fierce competition. With both judges’ scores and viewer votes carrying weight, each performance becomes crucial. The disclosure of voting totals is set to ramp up excitement, encouraging more viewers to vote and participate.
The remaining episodes promise to deliver on the show’s legacy of talent and drama, as contestants strive to impress both the judges and their growing fan base.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with “Dancing with the Stars” right now. Come back here often for all “Dancing with the Stars” spoilers, news, and updates.