"DANIELLA WERKED HER LEGS OFF"— Dancing with the Stars criticize Dwight's performance

Dancing with the Stars season 33 aired a new episode this week on ABC. The segment marked a milestone moment for the long-running show as it aired its 500th episode. As part of the celebration, the contestants had to perform a dance number inspired by those who came before them.

Basketball player Dwight Howard and his partner recreated James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess' Argentine Tango to Gotan Project's Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre) from season 23. As part of their Instant Dance Challenge, they danced to Victorious by Panic! at the Disco and performed a Paso Doble.

They received a 22 out of 30 for their Instant Dance Challenge and 26 out of 30 for their Argentine Tango. Fans of the reality dance show reacted to their performances online, and felt that Dwight's partner Daniella did most of the work.

"DANIELLA WERKED HER LEGS OFF. Unfortunately, Dwight legit just looked like he was walking around, so many lifts. A big reason for that is the difficulty of trying to be in frame with that height difference but Daniella did what she could," one person wrote on X.

"FIRST OFF...... DANIELLA IS THAT B*TCHHH !!!!! SHE ATEEE THAT UP !!!!! THOSE LIFTS WERE SICKENING !!!! BUT DWIGHT WAS PRETTY MUCH WALKING AROUND THE WHOLE TIME LMAOO !!!!! SO SHE CARRIED THIS DANCE," a fan commented.

"yeah yeah yeah dwight sucks but can we take a moment for how talented daniela is??? cause wtf she has to be one of the most talented female pros the show has ever seen," a tweet read.

Fans of Dancing with the Stars season 33 criticized Dwight's performance:

"dwight barely danced and dani literally carried that and yet not a single 6 paddle was pulled? alright derek i see you're trying to test me," a person wrote.

"Now Dwight and Chandler both did Argentine Tangos, and you’re telling me two of the judges saw Dwight step circles around Daniella and gave him 9’s while they’re about to give Chandler 10’s and hers was better by miles? Insane. They baby that man," a fan commented.

"I mean Daniela was great….there wasn’t much from Dwight," a tweet read.

Dancing with the Stars season 33 further said:

"Dwight’s a** should NOT be here daniella’s elite choreography and movement has carried them way further than necessary. I mean s*it jenn was a much better dancer and she on the couch rn," a person wrote.

"I love Dwight but his dances are just boring to me…Daniela is great and I give her so much credit for the way she’s able to work with someone so much taller than she is but he’s just meh," a fan commented.

---

"A champion"— Dancing with the Stars season 33 judge Carrie Abb Ibana praises Dwight and Daniella's Instant Dance Challenge performance in episode 8

Dancing with the Stars season 33 aired episode 8, titled, 500th Episode, this week on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. The segment saw the remaining six contestants and their professional dancing partners compete in a series of challenges to continue their journeys in the race to win the Mirrorball trophy.

One such challenge was the Instant Dance Challenge. The celebrity contestants found out about their dance type and song five minutes before their performances. Dwight and Daniella had to dance the Paso Doble to Victorious by Panic! At the Disco. Ahead of the performance, the NBA star said he wanted the performance to "launch" him into the semi-finals.

"You carry yourself like a champion," Carrie Abb Inaba praised the contestant after the performance.

She further said she loved Dwight's "intensity of the focus" for the "spirit of Paso Doble." Dancing with the Stars season 33 judge scored the performance an 8 while Derek and Bruno gave them a 7 each.

Their total score for the night, after combining scores for both performances, was 48. Fans of the show reacted to performances online and felt Daniella did most of the work.

---

Dancing with the Stars season 33 will air its semi-finals on ABC next week on November 19.