Chaz Bono & Lacey Schwimmer Call Animal Comparisons “Disrespectful”
Justified feelings or an overreaction? Chaz Bono and Lacey Schwimmer were once again low scorers on Dancing With the Stars, and the twinkled toed pair are none-to-happy with yet another animal comparison by the judges.
Bruno Tonioli offered this reaction to their routine: “It was like watching a cute little penguin try to be a big, menacing bird of prey. “It has to be menacing, dark, dangerous, hypnotic … like a panther stalking.”
“I always go out there and give my best and I feel like I’ve improved week to week and I don’t feel like this week was any different,” Bono, 42, told PEOPLE after Monday’s show.
“They called you an animal,” Schwimmer said. “They said you have a bad personality … I think it’s fair to say he’s not a favorite.”
Bono elaborated about the “disrespectful” animal comparisons. “I’ve been called an Ewok, a cute and cuddly bear, now tonight a penguin,” he said. “It’s disrespectful to me. ”
Lacey: “It’s rude and unnecessary, and as his friend I’m embarrassed. We are both anti-bullying … And having the judges refer to him as animals or dis his personality, it’s unnecessary. It’s rude and it’s going back on everything that people are trying to fix. It’s disappointing that it has to be here and it has to be one of my friends.”
“I cried today because I was so hurt, and I was so embarrassed that they had said that,” she said. “I’m glad that Maks stood up, because I was about to jump on that table and rip their heads off.”
*side eye* Granted, I, too, would have been peeved to be compared to an Ewok, especially in a dance competition, but to throw in the “anti-bullying” campaign is a bit much. It’s a compeition that requires judgement, not everything is going to be a bed of roses.


































