Ever since its debut, Dancing With the Stars has made headlines — sometimes for its eyebrow-raising casting.
One of the most controversial decisions by ABC came ahead of season 28 in summer 2019 when Sean Spicer was announced as part of the cast. At the time, many celebrities reacted to the news about the former White House press secretary, including then-host Tom Bergeron.
“A few months ago, during a lunch with DWTS‘ new Executive Producer, I offered suggestions for Season 28,” the former America’s Funniest Home Videos host tweeted at the time. “Chief among them was my hope that DWTS, in its [return] following an unprecedented year-long hiatus, would be a joyful respite from our exhausting political climate and free of inevitably divisive bookings from ANY party affiliations. I left that lunch convinced we were in agreement. Subsequently (and rather obviously), a decision was made to, as we often say in Hollywood, ‘go in a different direction.’”
Bergeron was let go from the show the next year and replaced by Tyra Banks.
Scroll down for more of the most controversial celebrities who have competed on Dancing With the Stars.
Floyd Mayweather (Season 5)
The pro boxer has a huge fan base but was a huge risk for ABC when they cast him in 2007, as he has a history of domestic violence. In 2001, he pled guilty to two counts of battery domestic violence. One year later, he was convicted for battery for fighting two women.
Tom DeLay (Season 9)
Due to his politics, not everyone was happy with the former White House majority leader, who competed in 2009. Four years prior, DeLay was indicted on charges of conspiring to violate political fundraising law, leading to a resignation and a guilty plea. The conviction was later overturned.
Paula Deen (Season 21)
Two years after a scandal, during which Deen was caught using racial slurs and fired from multiple jobs, the chef attempted to redeem herself on the reality show in 2015.
Ryan Lochte (Season 23)
The Olympic swimmer joined the competition series in 2016 after his scandal in Rio, when he admitted to overexaggerating about being robbed at gunpoint. During his time on the live show, two audience members ran onto the ballroom floor to protest Lochte's appearance; they were both arrested.
Sean Spicer (Season 28)
After working under former president Donald Trump, Spicer caused an uproar on social media following his casting in 2018. During the season, he was consistently saved by fan votes and the judges admitted to being frustrated by his lack of dance skills.
Carole Baskin (Season 29)
After being accused of having a part in her former husband's disappearance, many fans were not happy with the Big Cat Rescue CEO being given a platform on the competition show.
Olivia Jade Giannulli (Season 30)
The YouTube star competed on the 2021 season of the series following the college admissions scandal. Olivia Jade's parents were indicted in 2019 after being accused of paying $500,000 in bribes to ensure their daughters’ admissions into the University of Southern California.
