“It is Rigged”: Antonio Sabáto Jr. from Dancing with the Stars Speaks Out on the Challenges of Pairing Veteran Stars with Inexperienced Celebrities

Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) has captured viewers’ attention since its launch in 2005, expertly blending the allure of celebrities with the excitement of competitive dancing. Currently in its 33rd season, the show pairs famous personalities with professional dancers, showcasing various dance styles judged by a panel and subjected to audience voting. Nevertheless, questions about the show’s fairness have frequently arisen.

Recently, former contestant Antonio Sabáto Jr., who appeared on Dancing with the Stars during season 19 in 2014, reignited the debate by asserting that the competition is “rigged”due to the uneven dance experience among participants. Sabáto Jr. remarked:

“It is rigged,…First of all, if you’re not a dancer or you don’t have dancing skills from a young age — you’re not gonna win.”

Antonio Sabáto Jr.‘s allegations and opinions on Dancing with the Stars

During a discussion on Cheryl Burke’s podcast, Sex, Lies and Spray Tans, on September 23, 2024, Sabáto Jr. shared his reflections on his experience in season 19 of DWTS, stating:

“To be honest, I think that the show is partly rigged in a sense.”

He argued that contestants with prior dance training possess an edge over those without, citing a trend among past winners:

“The majority of past winners are dancers, you know, that have some sort of [experience].”

According to Sabáto Jr., extensive dance training allows some competitors to outperform their counterparts lacking experience, raising concerns about fairness in the competition. He suggested that the judges and producers may have established preferences for certain contestants, implying that attributes like personality and public appeal could sway judging decisions, stating:

“The judges, they know who they want, so you gotta keep that persona.”

In addition to dance backgrounds, Sabáto Jr. highlighted the challenge of juggling other professional commitments while competing. At the time he was on Dancing with the Stars, he was also hosting the remodeling show Fix It & Finish It, which spread his focus thin. He remarked:

“If I didn’t have another job and we were just, like, in Hollywood… I think I would’ve probably lasted at least another week or two.”

Counterarguments and examples

Cheryl Burke, Sabáto Jr.’s former dance partner and an accomplished professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, offered a different perspective. She pointed to NFL legend Emmitt Smith‘s win in season 3 as an example of a contestant who triumphed without formal dance training. Burke emphasized that Smith’s inherent charisma and commitment played crucial roles in his success.

While Sabáto Jr. acknowledged Smith’s achievement, he attributed it to Smith’s natural rhythm and soulful background, suggesting that even those without technical training could possess qualities that confer an advantage, contributing to competitive imbalances.

Furthermore, Sabáto Jr. cited Alfonso Ribeiro‘s victory in season 19 to support his argument. Ribeiro, who had significant dance experience, including a famous 1984 Pepsi commercial where he tap-danced with Michael Jackson, competed alongside Sabáto Jr. and leveraged his skills for a competitive edge.

The influence of judges and audience

Sabáto Jr. explored the role of the judges on Dancing with the Stars, noting that they might prefer contestants who possess certain personas or captivating personal narratives, which could skew scoring. He stated:

“You gotta have personality. There’s just a lot of things that they want, that the show wants.”

The audience’s impact is also substantial, as public voting can influence the competition outcomes, creating an additional layer to the perceived “rigging,”where popularity and relatability can sway results. This dynamic highlights the challenges of balancing dance talent with entertainment value in a reality competition.

Don’t miss the excitement! New episodes of Dancing with the Stars will resume with a spectacular two-night event on October 7th and 8th at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+. Tune in to catch all the action the following day on Hulu.

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