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Taylor Hanson says he asked producers to be partnered with pro dancer Britt Stewart when he signed on for season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. The pair were eliminated after three weeks, and Hanson’s heartfelt praise for Stewart has sparked fresh debate about the show’s treatment of its Black professionals.
He requested Britt by name
In a post-elimination interview on the DWTS companion podcast with Andy Richter, Hanson said he personally asked to be paired with Britt. He became emotional as he explained his reasoning, telling Richter, “I specifically asked the show. I said, if you’re gonna pair me with anyone, I would like to be paired with Britt, because she represents the spirit of why this show is great and why it’s 35 seasons in.”
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Praise and gratitude after the exit
Hanson presented Stewart with flowers and publicly acknowledged her commitment to dance. He described her willingness to give everything to the craft, saying, “She has done what I’ve done, in a lot of ways, with dance for most of her life. She’s thrown her heart at it, and that’s the thing most people avoid.”
Stewart returned the sentiment, grateful that Hanson “really saw” her from the start. She recounted their first meeting, adding that when he walked into the room she felt certain he would be her partner.
Talk of departure, but no firm decision
After their shock elimination on Yacht Rock Night, an industry source told The Sun that Stewart is weighing whether to continue on the show. According to the insider, other pro dancers offered support and some encouraged her that “you don’t need this show” if she wished to leave.
The source cautioned that Stewart’s choice is “way too early and raw” to be settled. “She agrees that other pros get treated better than her. She agrees that she was never set up for success. But it’s still her home, her family, and her livelihood. I can see it going either way,” the person said.
Context: viewer concerns about fairness
Fans reacted strongly to the elimination, with some raising questions about racial bias and how Black pro dancers are portrayed and supported on the series. Those reactions helped propel Hanson’s remarks to a wider audience.
Stewart’s public response
Despite the speculation, Stewart has not announced any plans to quit. On Good Morning America after the show, she emphasized her appreciation for the experience and for Hanson as a partner: “I am incredibly grateful for the support that we have had. I am incredibly grateful for meeting Taylor. There are few times in your life that you meet people that you really align with, and I feel like we align in so many different ways.”
