When Hate Affects Someone You Love
Leavitt admitted she’s “definitely become a little bit more desensitized” to negative feedback over time. Years in the public eye taught her how to develop thicker skin.
But watching Ballas become a target proved far more difficult than handling criticism directed at herself.
I had experienced it, but having someone that I loved and cared about so much experiencing that, in turn, hurt me. Then we experienced it together.
She revealed how witnessing her partner face vitriol because of their pairing triggered something deeper. Guilt crept in despite the situation being beyond her control.
The Weight of Perceived Responsibility
Leavitt questioned whether Ballas faced increased hate simply because of his association with her.
At times, I felt like it was my fault because I was like, ‘Oh, maybe it’s because of me. Maybe it’s because he’s partnered with me.’ So then it felt like my fault. It was just like a roller coaster of emotions during that time.
Both performers noted a noticeable surge in hateful comments around the five-week mark of competition. The criticism intensified as they advanced further in the competition, creating mounting pressure alongside their technical challenges.
Finding Closure Through Performance
Their Call Her Daddy freestyle gave Leavitt and Ballas something elimination took away: closure. They poured months of training, emotion, and artistry into a routine that deserved to be seen.
The performance served as both artistic expression and personal statement. Every movement challenged the narrative others tried to write about them.
Key takeaways from their journey:
- Public criticism affects not just individuals but those connected to them
- Owning your intentions doesn’t guarantee acceptance from others
- Past media perception often follows contestants into new ventures
- Finding alternative platforms can provide closure when opportunities are cut short
While their Dancing with the Stars journey ended earlier than hoped, Leavitt and Ballas proved something important. Elimination doesn’t erase the work, dedication, or artistic merit of what they created together.
Their freestyle told a story of resilience, partnership, and refusing to let outside voices determine their narrative. Sometimes the most meaningful performances happen off the official stage.
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas finally got their moment to shine with the freestyle routine viewers never saw.
After being eliminated from Dancing with the Stars during semi-finals, the pair delivered their planned finale performance on a different stage entirely.
Their appearance on Call Her Daddy on November 26 gave them an unexpected opportunity to showcase what could have been.
Host Alex Cooper didn’t hold back, asking if they wanted to perform their freestyle routine that never made it to air.
The Freestyle That Spoke Volumes
Ballas, 39, didn’t hesitate for a second.
It would be a pleasure.
Set to Frank Sinatra’s iconic “My Way” with snippets of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives theme song woven throughout, the routine told a powerful story. It directly addressed the relentless criticism both performers faced during season 34 of the competition series.
The choreography showed Leavitt, 32, fighting off phones thrust in her face. Cameras captured her falling before Ballas lifted her back up. They kissed their reflections in a mirror, a defiant celebration of self despite outside judgment.
The routine ended with Leavitt’s viral DWTS declaration playing on repeat.
I f—— love this show!
Navigating Elimination and Emotional Turmoil
Earlier in the podcast episode, Leavitt pulled back the curtain on what she experienced after their semi-final elimination.
I feel grateful, but I also feel sad.
She described the experience as a “rollercoaster of emotions,” navigating feelings that pulled her in opposite directions simultaneously.
The backlash against the reality star and mom-of-three intensified for multiple reasons throughout their time on the show. Critics pointed to her dance degree as an unfair advantage. Others took issue with comments she made on Mormon Wives about rejoining the cast specifically to audition for DWTS.
Owning Her Truth
Leavitt didn’t shy away from addressing the controversy head-on.
I was very clear why I came back that season. You either had respect for it, or you were like, ‘Oh my gosh.’
She acknowledged entering DWTS with full awareness of how she was perceived publicly. That reputation preceded her arrival on the dance floor.
I already knew the persona that I had in the media. I just felt like that was gonna carry with me onto Dancing With The Stars.
When Hate Affects Someone You Love
Leavitt admitted she’s “definitely become a little bit more desensitized” to negative feedback over time. Years in the public eye taught her how to develop thicker skin.
But watching Ballas become a target proved far more difficult than handling criticism directed at herself.
I had experienced it, but having someone that I loved and cared about so much experiencing that, in turn, hurt me. Then we experienced it together.
She revealed how witnessing her partner face vitriol because of their pairing triggered something deeper. Guilt crept in despite the situation being beyond her control.
The Weight of Perceived Responsibility
Leavitt questioned whether Ballas faced increased hate simply because of his association with her.
At times, I felt like it was my fault because I was like, ‘Oh, maybe it’s because of me. Maybe it’s because he’s partnered with me.’ So then it felt like my fault. It was just like a roller coaster of emotions during that time.
Both performers noted a noticeable surge in hateful comments around the five-week mark of competition. The criticism intensified as they advanced further in the competition, creating mounting pressure alongside their technical challenges.
Finding Closure Through Performance
Their Call Her Daddy freestyle gave Leavitt and Ballas something elimination took away: closure. They poured months of training, emotion, and artistry into a routine that deserved to be seen.
The performance served as both artistic expression and personal statement. Every movement challenged the narrative others tried to write about them.
Key takeaways from their journey:
- Public criticism affects not just individuals but those connected to them
- Owning your intentions doesn’t guarantee acceptance from others
- Past media perception often follows contestants into new ventures
- Finding alternative platforms can provide closure when opportunities are cut short
While their Dancing with the Stars journey ended earlier than hoped, Leavitt and Ballas proved something important. Elimination doesn’t erase the work, dedication, or artistic merit of what they created together.
Their freestyle told a story of resilience, partnership, and refusing to let outside voices determine their narrative. Sometimes the most meaningful performances happen off the official stage.