Tori Spelling’s surprising elimination from “Dancing with the Stars” has sparked outrage, with her longtime manager calling for a full-blown “investigation” into the results. The actress and reality TV personality, known for her role in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” was sent home during Tuesday night’s episode, a decision that her manager, Ruthanne Secunda, vehemently contests.
Secunda didn’t hold back her feelings on Spelling’s “Misspelling” podcast, labeling the elimination an “outrage” and jokingly suggesting a “60 Minutes” style investigation into what she believes might be a system malfunction. “I think it’s an outrage,” Secunda stated on the podcast, adding with a touch of humor that she was “calling ’60 Minutes’ to do an investigation” because there could have been a “glitch in the system.” She drew a parallel to airline groundings due to technical issues, proposing that a similar “glitch in the voting for Tori” could be the culprit behind the unexpected outcome.
Spelling, 51, and her professional dance partner Pasha Pashkov were eliminated alongside controversial figure Anna Delvey and newcomer pro dancer Ezra Sosa. Secunda’s frustration extends beyond mere disappointment; she argues that the playing field on “Dancing with the Stars” isn’t level. While acknowledging the talent of Olympians and athletes participating in the competition, she pointed out that they possess an inherent advantage due to their experience performing under pressure in front of large audiences. This season of “DWTS” features notable athletes such as Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola, NBA star Dwight Howard, Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, and Olympic medalist rugby player Ilona Maher.
Adding to the playful skepticism, Spelling herself jokingly inquired about the possibility of a “ballroom recount,” referencing the vote recounts common in political elections. Despite the surprising elimination, Spelling admitted on her podcast that she hadn’t anticipated winning the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. “I really didn’t have a gut instinct that we would be voted off,” Spelling confessed. “Listen, I’m a realist. I came into this with no dance experience, and I didn’t expect to win the Mirror Ball.”
For her final performance on “Dancing with the Stars,” which coincided with Oscars night, Spelling danced to “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman.” She revealed to fans that her five children were present in the audience to support her. Her participation in the show came approximately six months after her separation from actor Dean McDermott, her husband of 17 years. The couple, who share five children – Liam Aaron, Stella Doreen, Hattie Margaret, Finn Davey, and Beau Dean – are currently navigating divorce proceedings after Spelling filed in Los Angeles following McDermott’s separation announcement in the previous year.
While Tori Spelling’s “Dancing with the Stars” journey may have been cut short, it undoubtedly provided entertainment and conversation, both on and off the dance floor. The question of whether there was a “glitch” in the system, however jokingly posed, adds an extra layer of intrigue to her departure from the show.
