Odd elimination rule leaves 'DWTS' viewers confused and 'Bachelor' star Matt James heading home
Tuesday was a double-elimination night as Disney week wrapped up on Dancing With the Stars, and while the theme of the night was classic Disney villains, a new one may have emerged in the form of Len Goodman — or, at least, whoever makes the show’s elimination rules.
After Brian Austin Green was the first to be sent home, the second elimination came down to Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore and former Bachelor star Matt James. After James received two votes to stay to Kenya’s one, it was up to Goodman to choose who went home. That’s because of a standing rule in place that host Tyra Banks broke down.
“It will be up to the judges to save one of the bottom two couples and keep them in this competition. If the first three judges are divided, then Len, as our head judge, will cast the deciding vote.”
Sure enough, after Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba voted for James to stay and Derek Hough voted for Moore to stay, it was up to Goodman to decide.
“Kenya, you're staying on the show,” Goodman said, causing Moore to fall to the floor with emotion.
But the decision left viewers confused, with many on Twitter thinking that Goodman should only provide a deciding vote if there is an actual tie that needs to be broken.
the judges were not “undecided” until len voted for kenya. it was 2-1 for matt. when lev voted for kenya, making it 2-2 they should’ve just sent home the person who had the lowest amount. that would’ve been the FAIR way. len should not have gotten the final save #DWTS
— ava ミ☆| SHE KNOWS IT OCT 29TH (@PARANOlALIV) October 13, 2021
Confused about the judges save. If Matt got 2 votes and Kenya got 1, how did Len’s 1 vote save Kenya?? (Not that I think Matt deserved to stay over her just very confused) #DWTS
— Jennifer (@jgoldd) October 13, 2021
Trying to figure out your math. 2-1 vote does t need a tie breaker. Bring @mattjames919 back #DWTSpic.twitter.com/zUB0CQD1i0
— Leanne (@baileybailster) October 13, 2021
Was Matt even in the bottom 2? Tonight’s decision smacks of unfairness. #dwts
— Eva (@Pikapeppa) October 13, 2021
What’s the point of having us vote if Len has the final say anyways??? That was not a tie breaker! Len had no respect for Matt since the beginning and tonight it showed. #dwts
— JennJay (@LotsofJ716) October 13, 2021
Beyond the confusing rules, the Bachelor Nation was shocked to see James heading home so soon. Especially because the past two Mirror Ball winners, Hannah Brown and Kaitlyn Bristowe, both came from the Bachelor franchise.
I’m shocked Matt and Lindsey left wtf #dwts
— #eggspensive (@xotwodbb) October 13, 2021
WOWWWW I did not expect matt james to be going home so early! #dwts
— saaaaam🧜🏼♀️ (@paint_on_a_sign) October 13, 2021
Matt and Lindsay should have stayed on the show 😩 #DWTS
— Jamie (@JamieDrew24) October 13, 2021
While James left as the lowest performing Bachelor contestant ever on Dancing With the Stars, at least he got to show off his Paso Doble moves on the way out.
Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Watch how viewers reacted to seeing Jojo Siwa dressed as Prince Charming:
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