Dancing With The Stars professional dancer Rylee Arnold has publicly responded to widespread online speculation about her job security on the hit ABC competition. In a recent podcast appearance, the 20-year-old directly addressed rumors that she will not be asked back for the show’s next season.
Rumors and Online Criticism
Arnold has faced significant online criticism throughout the show’s current season, particularly about her teaching abilities and her partnership with Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying. Viewers and commenters questioned whether she was equipped to teach him ballroom dance, leading to broader speculation that her position as a pro dancer was in jeopardy for the following year.
Speaking on co-host Julianne Hough’s The Morning After Show, Arnold acknowledged the chatter. “There’s been a lot of things this year [and] people saying I’m not coming back next season … or people saying I don’t know how to teach or do these things,” she shared. She described her strategy for handling the negativity, stating, “I’m trying to understand that [is] just noise.”
Navigating the Noise and Showing Grace
The young pro dancer confirmed that the constant online discourse has been difficult to navigate. She admitted to feeling pressure to make every choreography count and to present herself well. Regarding the rumors of her not returning, she provided a key fact about the show’s casting process. “We don’t know if we’re gonna be on the show until the summertime,” Arnold explained.
She expressed her clear desire to continue on the show, saying, “I would absolutely love to do another season — if not a bunch of more seasons — if they want me there.” She found the rumors challenging, noting that hearing “noise from [different] sources that probably aren’t even true is super, super hard.”
Arnold is focusing on her personal growth and journey rather than comparing herself to veterans. “I [am] just trying to give myself grace and know that I’m growing,” she stated. “I am in my own position, and there are so many pros [who] have been here way longer than I have. Of course, they know more than I do [and] they have experience way more than I have, which is so normal.”
Also Read:
Focusing on a Childhood Dream
Instead of getting caught up in comparisons, Arnold is choosing to concentrate on her own path. “[I am] just staying in my lane, doing the very best I can,” she told Hough. “I think that’s the most important part. I just try to remember that I am living a dream that I’ve had since I was a little girl, and I’m so grateful that I’m in the position I’m in.”
Arnold joined DWTS as a full pro in 2023 for season 32, just months after graduating from high school. She is currently in her third season, which she said came with an “onslaught of critical comments” about her teaching style. “There have been so many opinions and other things,” she recalled. She acknowledged that being judged comes with the territory of putting her work out every week, but confirmed the criticism has “definitely [had a] toll on me this year.”
Despite the challenges, Arnold is determined to focus on the positive and look back on this time with pride. “I’m going to look back one day, and I’m not going to focus on what other people have said,” she shared. “I’m going to focus on the fact that I was so genuinely happy in this moment and just so proud of what I was doing.”
Arnold and her partner, Scott Hoying, were eliminated during week six of the competition, finishing in 10th place. Following their elimination, Arnold posted a TikTok video calling the experience a “heavy heart” moment. The Dancing With The Stars season 34 finale aired on Tuesday, November 25.
Also Read: Landman Season 2 Episode 2: Cooper’s Big Breakup and a Dangerous New Partner
