Alexa PenaVega suggests Dancing with the Stars producers shape stories; Alfonso Ribeiro claps back at rigged claims
PenaVega recalls Grier’s concern
On an October 22 episode of her Lexlos podcast, PenaVega described a conversation with fellow season 21 contestant Hayes Grier. She recalled that Grier, then 15, said he thought the show was rigged while several contestants were in the bottom.
PenaVega said she told Grier that his large following likely meant he had substantial audience support. She added that she believed viewer votes mattered, while also noting that the show was produced.
Ribeiro rejects the suggestion
Ribeiro responded in the comments on a TikTok clip of PenaVega’s remarks. “No chance,” he wrote, adding, “We want everyone who’s popular to stay on. It’s basic logic.”
PenaVega replied that the clip began in the middle of the story and asked Ribeiro to watch the full clip and episode. She said she had been telling a story about Grier.
Producers and votes both matter
In the full podcast conversation, PenaVega said audience votes count, as do judges’ comments. She also said a disclaimer indicates producers get to choose the winner, and that all of those factors are taken into account.
PenaVega said producers know the show’s demographic and the story they want to tell. She and her husband, Carlos PenaVega, competed on season 21, which aired in 2015.
Key points
- Ribeiro disputed the idea that audience votes are not counted in elimination decisions.
- PenaVega said votes matter but also described a role for producers.
- PenaVega said the viral clip omitted the context of her story about Hayes Grier.
- PenaVega and Carlos competed on season 21 in 2015.