Bobby Bones, who won Dancing with the Stars in 2018, has decided to return his Mirror Ball trophy. This decision follows criticism from former host Tom Bergeron regarding the legitimacy of Bones’ win.
Bones, whose full name is Bobby Estelle, announced on Wednesday that he handed back the trophy due to the continuous mockery he received. He expressed that critics had stripped away the joy of his experience on the show.
“I sent the trophy back. If they don’t want me around, then I don’t feel comfortable staying. I returned the trophy to ABC. It’s not mine anymore. I had a blast while I was there,” he shared in a TikTok video.
The 45-year-old reflected on his 2018 victory alongside professional partner Sharna Burgess, where they managed to outshine runner-up Milo Manheim in season 27.
Bergeron remarked that Bones’ win was one of the most surprising moments of his tenure on the show, which aired from 2005 until 2020. He pointed out that Bones wasn’t actually expected to win.
“It’s interesting you bring up elimination,” Bergeron commented in an interview. “The biggest shock was Bobby Bones winning.” He compared Bones to other contestants, recognizing his charm but noting, “I didn’t think he’d win. That was a first for me—no disrespect intended.”
Bones shared that Bergeron’s remarks stung him more than he anticipated. “I usually try to brush off negative comments, but this one really affected me. It’s not just the criticism but who it came from,” he said.
Bones described the level of negativity he’s faced, even from respected figures like Bergeron and Julianne Hough. He likened it to being bullied at school, feeling like he was ‘pushed into lockers’ by critics.
Interestingly, Bones initially had no plans to join DWTS but was urged by ABC to participate to promote the show due to his contract. “Should I have declined and just focused on my work? Or should I have put everything into it? Did I have to win regardless of my experience?” he questioned.
He continued, noting how he should have approached the competition without the pressure of needing to win, mentioning how challenging it was to face such harsh comments even after all the effort he put in.
Following his win, Bones found himself bombarded with negative feedback, particularly after admitting to practicing more than he initially claimed. He was taken aback by the reactions that surfaced, including comments from Bergeron and Hough.
“People I work with have been throwing these random jabs at me, which is disheartening, especially given how much I enjoyed my time on the show,” he said.
In response, Bergeron later reached out to apologize, stating, “Bobby, I didn’t intend to hurt you. My reaction came from my genuine feeling that your victory highlights a need for balance in judging and viewer votes. I regret adding to the pain you and Sharna experienced because of that win.”
Bergeron left the show in 2020 after critiquing the casting of former White House press secretary Sean Spicer.
