Cheryl Burke isn’t impressed with Derek Hough’s moves at the Dancing With the Stars judges table.
The former dance pro gave a detailed recap of the semifinal episode of season 33 of the hit dancing competition show on her Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans podcast’s Nov. 20 episode. During the episode, Burke ranked each couple’s performances before seeing what judges Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba scored.
“I’m shocked at Derek’s scores, especially tonight,” Burke noted of Hough. “Being the main head judge, you’re supposed to call out technique when you see it, and now this is twice where he’s turned a blind eye to it.”
One specific instance she noticed was after contestant Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson’s foxtrot dance.
“I’m a little shocked about Derek’s comments about how it was one of the best foxtrots of all time and that his frame should be in a museum, when clearly it wasn’t a perfect frame,” she continued. “It wasn’t perfect. I’m pretty sure any ballroom coach, judge or adjudicator would agree. There’s no opinion when it comes to frame. It’s either right or it’s wrong.”
She continued to call out Hough, adding, “Derek is just giving everyone 10s tonight.”
Conversely, Burke disagreed with a single 10 being handed out to any of the five finalists, which include Joey, Chandler Kinney, Ilona Maher, Stephen Nedoroscik, and Danny Amendola.
“I gave no 10s, not even close to it because no one deserved it,” she said. “And I’m not being negative or bitter. It’s just how I see it.”
E! News has reached out to Hough for comment on Burke’s comments and has not heard back.
Adding that the semifinals typically have something special, Burke added, “Because people are fighting and giving everything they have. And I just didn’t feel that tonight, except for Ilona.”