“take it from me” is a TODAY series where experts use their wisdom to explain trends in their field or offer advice. In this edition, Derek Hough shares the impact of social media on “Dancing with the Stars.”
“Dancing with the Stars” has evolved in the 21 years it has been on the air, but the addition of social media has taken it to another level.
Current Season 35 judge Derek Hough told TODAY.com that having an online community “is a huge engine and why the show is incredibly popular again.”
According to ABC, “DWTS” has seen an increase in ratings each week, especially after Dedicated Night, which reached 7.36 million viewers. The episode was a season high and the series’ best non-finale episode in six years.
And there are discourses that keep the series on the agenda on social platforms. But Hough says being so popular on social media “comes with a price.”
“It comes with negativity, and it’s always been there,” says the dancer, first addressing the judges’ role in offering constructive criticism.
“Judges are in an unpopular position because you can never make everyone happy,” he says. “You either over-exaggerate someone or under-line someone.”
He knows that audiences will rarely say, “I agree with that.”
“We accept this. We understand this. This is the duty of the judges. We are like vinegar in the salad dressing,” he adds.
But Hough believes social media has a negative impact when you’re the one competing.
“But professionals and celebrities who work so hard are putting themselves out there. They’re already horrified and vulnerable,” she says, noting that the reaction they’ve received online “breaks my heart.”
He knows from personal experience. Hough was a pro for 17 seasons before sitting at the judges’ table. He won a record-breaking six Mirrorball trophies.
“I’ve been a part of the show where it’s such a beautiful, positive place to be,” she reflects. “And the thing is, there’s still discourse in the program, and we can criticize someone and say things, whatever, but it’s within the context of the program.”
“But things outside can get a little noisy,” he says.
He believes the negativity affects celebrities more than professionals who have the opportunity to compete in multiple seasons.
“But for celebrities, this is their only chance,” says Hough, who is also a Mucinex Recharge brand ambassador. “And even if we criticize them, even if they don’t get the scores they want, I always want them to have a great experience and a positive experience.”
Hough isn’t the only one with strong opinions about how social media has affected “DWTS.” Current pro Brandon Armstrong previously told TODAY.com that the inclusion of Instagram and TikTok has done “a 180 on my business.”
He said he was initially hired for his dancing, choreography and teaching skills, but “your presence on social media these days” was also a factor.
“Being able to get a presence on social media is 50% of the battle because if you can’t build a fan base and get votes, it doesn’t matter how good of a dancer you are because that’s only 50% of the equation,” she says.
He said there are no stipulations on how much content the rival pairs are expected to produce. Still, he believes it will be useful when you need votes to stay another week.
“Ultimately what it takes to win is you have to have the vote,” Armstrong said. “You have to have the support of the people watching the show.”
For this, they turn to social media.