Derek Houghis speaking out about the controversy surroundingSean Spicerjoining the cast of the upcoming season ofDancing with the Stars.Speaking to PEOPLE at the Creative ArtsEmmy Awardsin Los Angeles on Sunday, Hough, 34, said it was “predictable” that PresidentDonald Trump‘s former press secretary was cast for season 28 of the ABC dancing competition series.“It stirs the pot,” the six-time mirror ball champion and currentWorld of Dancejudge said. “It draws attention. We’re curious, right? We’re just like, ‘What’s going to happen? How are we going to react? What’s going to happen?’ ”While many people, includingDWTShostTom Bergeron, areunhappywith Spicer, 47, being cast, Hough does not necessarily feel the same way.“No, I don’t think it’s disappointing,” he explained. “Because it’s television. I think that’s the thing. It depends on what you look at it. Right? And, you know, at least for me, I liked being a part of something that was, at least in my personal, what do you want to call it? My own little world, I want everything to be positive and I loved aspects of the show that create opportunities for redemption in certain cases.”Joshua Blanchard/Getty; Paul Morigi/GettyWhen asked if fans should expect Spicer and his mystery partner to “tango with a podium,” Hough joked that it’s a possibility.“Probably. Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “It’s been the most obvious thing. Let’s just go with the most obvious things. It’s probably going to happen. You know what I mean?”Hough also revealed whether or not he has plans to return toDWTSafter exiting the series following season 23 in 2016.“There’s no plans, no plans right now,” Hough said. “But I never say never. I love the show. It’s great. So, I know there’s a lot of anticipation coming up, because it’s been a year gap and the cast has been intriguing, I should say. A lot of curiosity to see what happens. So, yeah.”DWTSproVal Chmerkovskiyspoke about Spicer’s casting to PEOPLE Now earlier this month, and said that while he understands why some fans are upset, he believes not everyone has “to agree” with the celebrity contestants.Dave Kotinsky/Getty“The thing that makes our show unique and wild and crazy and entertaining is the fact that it’s a collective of all these different people. And you don’t have to agree or follow all these people. They’re all very different,” said Chmerkovskiy. “And the beauty, me being a dance ambassador, is — what I find a lot of pride in is how inclusive dance is and that it doesn’t judge based on any of the past. It kind of just wholeheartedly welcomes people in. Then, that person has a chance to either be dismissed or show his true colors.”Chmerkovskiy clarified that while he is “not here defending anybody or opposing anything,” he does “understand the outrage.”“I’m here to say that I understand the backlash; I definitely understand the outrage,” he said.He added with a laugh: “But at the same time, you know, there are bigger problems in the world besides Sean Spicer being humiliated doing the cha-cha.”Just hours afterDWTSunveiled its celebrity competitors for season 28, Bergeron, 64, posted alengthy message on Twitter. The host explained that he met with the producers ahead of the season to steer the show away from politics, but Spicer’s casting ultimately went against Bergeron’s wishes.“It is the prerogative of the producers, in partnership with the network, to make whatever decisions they feel are in the best long-term interests of the franchise. We can agree to disagree, as we do now, but ultimately it’s their call,” he wrote.Lou Rocco/Walt Disney Television/GettySpicer is joining The Supremes’ Mary Wilson,Karamo Brown,The Bachelorette‘sHannah Brown, supermodelChristie Brinkley, country starLauren Alaina, actorJames Van Der Beek, NFL legend Ray Lewis,The Officestar Kate Flannery, pop starAlly Brooke, former basketball playerLamar Odom, and comedian/actorKel Mitchellthis season.In response to aNew York Timespiece that criticized his casting, Spicer toldMediaitethat he’s “going out and having some fun.”“I’m going to enjoy myself, and if more people like me, then that’s great,” he said.“The idea that I need this to make myself feel better is preposterous. I’m in this because I enjoy it. I’m very comfortable with who I am, what I believe and who I support, and that’s it,” he continued to Mediaite.Season 28 ofDancing with the Starspremieres Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Derek Houghis speaking out about the controversy surroundingSean Spicerjoining the cast of the upcoming season ofDancing with the Stars.
Speaking to PEOPLE at the Creative ArtsEmmy Awardsin Los Angeles on Sunday, Hough, 34, said it was “predictable” that PresidentDonald Trump‘s former press secretary was cast for season 28 of the ABC dancing competition series.
“It stirs the pot,” the six-time mirror ball champion and currentWorld of Dancejudge said. “It draws attention. We’re curious, right? We’re just like, ‘What’s going to happen? How are we going to react? What’s going to happen?’ ”
While many people, includingDWTShostTom Bergeron, areunhappywith Spicer, 47, being cast, Hough does not necessarily feel the same way.
“No, I don’t think it’s disappointing,” he explained. “Because it’s television. I think that’s the thing. It depends on what you look at it. Right? And, you know, at least for me, I liked being a part of something that was, at least in my personal, what do you want to call it? My own little world, I want everything to be positive and I loved aspects of the show that create opportunities for redemption in certain cases.”
Joshua Blanchard/Getty; Paul Morigi/Getty
When asked if fans should expect Spicer and his mystery partner to “tango with a podium,” Hough joked that it’s a possibility.
“Probably. Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “It’s been the most obvious thing. Let’s just go with the most obvious things. It’s probably going to happen. You know what I mean?”
Hough also revealed whether or not he has plans to return toDWTSafter exiting the series following season 23 in 2016.
“There’s no plans, no plans right now,” Hough said. “But I never say never. I love the show. It’s great. So, I know there’s a lot of anticipation coming up, because it’s been a year gap and the cast has been intriguing, I should say. A lot of curiosity to see what happens. So, yeah.”
DWTSproVal Chmerkovskiyspoke about Spicer’s casting to PEOPLE Now earlier this month, and said that while he understands why some fans are upset, he believes not everyone has “to agree” with the celebrity contestants.
Dave Kotinsky/Getty
“The thing that makes our show unique and wild and crazy and entertaining is the fact that it’s a collective of all these different people. And you don’t have to agree or follow all these people. They’re all very different,” said Chmerkovskiy. “And the beauty, me being a dance ambassador, is — what I find a lot of pride in is how inclusive dance is and that it doesn’t judge based on any of the past. It kind of just wholeheartedly welcomes people in. Then, that person has a chance to either be dismissed or show his true colors.”
Chmerkovskiy clarified that while he is “not here defending anybody or opposing anything,” he does “understand the outrage.”
“I’m here to say that I understand the backlash; I definitely understand the outrage,” he said.
He added with a laugh: “But at the same time, you know, there are bigger problems in the world besides Sean Spicer being humiliated doing the cha-cha.”
Just hours afterDWTSunveiled its celebrity competitors for season 28, Bergeron, 64, posted alengthy message on Twitter. The host explained that he met with the producers ahead of the season to steer the show away from politics, but Spicer’s casting ultimately went against Bergeron’s wishes.
“It is the prerogative of the producers, in partnership with the network, to make whatever decisions they feel are in the best long-term interests of the franchise. We can agree to disagree, as we do now, but ultimately it’s their call,” he wrote.
Lou Rocco/Walt Disney Television/Getty
Spicer is joining The Supremes’ Mary Wilson,Karamo Brown,The Bachelorette‘sHannah Brown, supermodelChristie Brinkley, country starLauren Alaina, actorJames Van Der Beek, NFL legend Ray Lewis,The Officestar Kate Flannery, pop starAlly Brooke, former basketball playerLamar Odom, and comedian/actorKel Mitchellthis season.
In response to aNew York Timespiece that criticized his casting, Spicer toldMediaitethat he’s “going out and having some fun.”
“I’m going to enjoy myself, and if more people like me, then that’s great,” he said.
“The idea that I need this to make myself feel better is preposterous. I’m in this because I enjoy it. I’m very comfortable with who I am, what I believe and who I support, and that’s it,” he continued to Mediaite.
Season 28 ofDancing with the Starspremieres Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
source: people.com
