Bobby Bones knows what it’s like to make it far on “Dancing With the Stars” — despite not being the best dancer.
The radio host faced intense criticism and backlash from superfans when he and his pro partner, Sharna Burgess, competed on the dance competition series in 2018.
Many passionate viewers on social media expressed their anger at the dance couple for making it through week to week over what fans argued were more “deserving” and “talented” couples.
And while Bones felt discouraged at times, he toughed it out and went on to win the Season 27 mirrorball trophy with Burgess, “flossing” moves and all.
Now, Season 32 contestants Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold are facing a similar situation.
Although their routines have consistently received some of the lowest scores from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli — placing them at the bottom of the leaderboard — their loyal fans have been keeping them in the competition.
They’ve already beat out stars like Lele Pons, Mira Sorvino, Barry Williams and Jamie Lynn Spears, and are moving into Week Nine with Ariana Madix, Jason Mraz, Alyson Hannigan, Charity Lawson and Xochitl Gomez.
Bones, 43, told Pvnew that he’s been rooting for Jowsey and Arnold, and exclusively recorded a special video message for the dance duo. We surprised the two when we crashed their rehearsals for “Taylor Swift Night” this week.
“It’s championship time, baby, let’s go! I’ve been watching, I’ve been following you, I’ve been rooting for ya,” the former mirrorball champion told the “Too Hot to Handle” star and his partner via video message.
“I’m seeing you get some slack online and, yeah, welcome to the club, buddy. People hate us, ’cause they ain’t us, and they don’t work like we do.”
Bones went on to explain how he, like Jowsey, “never had an ounce of dance training” before he signed on to do the show, but worked hard in rehearsals and “respected” the craft.
“Keep up the good work, because that’s what it is — work. It’s not where you start, it’s where you end,” the “Bobby Bones Show” host said.
“And yeah, sure, the obnoxious, loud ‘DWTS’ superfan might be anti-Harry, but the person that’s watching at home relates to Harry, just like they related to me.”
He added, “Go get that championship, buddy! Good luck.”
Earlier this week, Jowsey, 26, and Arnold, 18, addressed the harsh comments they’ve been seeing online while talking to us in the ballroom after “Whitney Houston Night.”
“For us, there is a lot of negative comments and a lot of people [saying] stuff, but obviously, we’re still here. So there’s a lot more positive out there and people who want us to still be in this competition,” said Arnold, who’s a first-time pro this season.
“So I think we just need to hold on to those who keep wanting to see us and keep voting for us, because that’s what matters and that’s what’s going to drive us to be better and improve. And to just, like, block everyone who is saying mean things because it obviously doesn’t matter.”
Jowsey echoed those sentiments, telling us he’s changed his mindset on it all in recent weeks.
“I’ve been getting enjoyment now out of seeing people trying to clown us,” he shared. “I’m like, ‘OK, well, you must be so angry because we keep making it through.’ We’ve got the most amazing fan base that wants to keep us here.”
Jowsey and Arnold concluded by sharing a joint message to the fans who are on their side: “Guys, we love you, thank you so much. I can’t believe you’ve kept us here. It’s been so special. This week, we’re going to dig deep for you because we really need to stay here and make it to the end.”
If the two survive elimination during “Taylor Swift Night” on Nov. 21 – in which they’re dancing a rumba and a jive – they’ll make it into the Season 32 Semi-Finals.
“There’s a lot of young people that watch us, so I’m assuming some people would take some inspiration out of this string bean being able to make it this far,” Jowsey told us Friday. “But also, [for] someone as young and as sweet as Rylee … for her to be able to live out her dream, to make it that far would mean the absolute world. We’re so close and I really want to get to the finale just for her.”
“Dancing With the Stars” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, with new episodes streaming on Hulu the following day.
