Top 10 Worst Dancing with the Stars Performances
#10: Mischa Barton’s Cha-Cha-Cha
(2016)
Barton, famous for playing Marissa Cooper on “The O.C.,” appeared on the twenty-second season of “Dancing with the Stars” alongside Artem Chigvintsev. She was . . . less than good. In the second week, they danced a cha-cha-cha to Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata.” Well, we don’t know if “danced” is the right word. It was more like “walking around the stage with facial expressions” It was only the second week, so we can forgive her stilted dance moves, but her forced smile seemed to suggest that she would rather be not be there. A noble effort we suppose, but maybe dancing just isn’t Mischa’s top strength.
#9: David Hasselhoff’s Cha-Cha-Cha
(2010)
Oh, David. And we were rooting for you, too. The Hoff appeared in the show’s eleventh season alongside Kym Johnson, but their very first dance unfortunately ensured his quick departure from the show. They danced the cha-cha-cha to Tom Jones’s “Sex Bomb,” and while David certainly looked the part, he betrayed his coolness by dancing on eggshells. He was just relatively stiff. Unfortunately, David earned the lowest score of opening week and was swiftly eliminated from the competition. We guess it doesn’t matter how you look – it’s the dancing that counts.
#8: Bristol Palin’s Rumba
(2010)
Palin actually placed an impressive third in season 11, but you wouldn’t know it based on this rumba. For the season’s fourth week, Bristol and Mark Ballas danced to an acoustic version of Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” Not only was the dance itself a little on the tacky side, but Bristol didn’t quite exude the sex appeal, the dance called for. She didn’t really do all that much. The judges called her out with some sharp criticism, and gave her a performance score of 14, the lowest of the week.
#7: Wendy Williams’s Cha-Cha-Cha
(2011)
What is it with the cha-cha-chas? Wendy Williams may be able to coordinate a talk show, but she she had some trouble coordinating this dance. Williams was partnered with Tony Dovolani, but unfortunately, the duo did not make a great first impression. Their very first dance was a cha-cha-cha to Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,” and while Wendy certainly has the confidence and personality to pull the song off, her dancing didn’t measure up. She simply looked ill-prepared for the competition. And while their score of 14 wasn’t the lowest of the week, it was darned close.
#6: Kim Zolciak-Biermann’s Salsa
(2015)
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star was partnered with Tony Dovolani, and their first dance was a salsa to David Guetta’s “Hey Mama.” The song requires much more energy and pizzazz than Kim was willing to offer, as she simply looked bored. The production tried to mask her lack of inspiration as much as possible, but it just seemed that her heart wasn’t in it. Kim admitted to being scared and reserved during the judging, but her confession didn’t save her from a terrible score of 12, making this the lowest- scored dance of season 21.
#5: Wynonna Judd’s Samba
(2013)
Wynonna Judd appeared on the show’s sixteenth season alongside Tony Dovolani, and at this point, we’re just starting to feel bad for Tony. The man can’t seem to get a suitable partner. While their first two dances weren’t spectacular, they took a turn for the worse in the third week, when they danced a samba to Def Leppard (which, admittedly, sounds like quite the challenge). Wynonna barely moved throughout the dance, and when she did, her footwork and hip movement were a little wooden. She was given her lowest score of 15 and was eliminated from the competition.
#4: Michael Bolton’s Jive
(2010)
Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower danced a jive to Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” but it wasn’t a shining moment for them as a dance couple. Chelsea did truly did try her hardest to bring this dance to life, though. Unfortunately, Michael emerged from a literal doghouse and moved into a figurative one The dance was not well-received by the judges, with Bruno rubbing his temples and calling it “the worst jive in eleven seasons.” That’s tough to hear, even if you’re not a Bolton fan.
#3: Kate Gosselin’s Paso Doble
(2010)
More difficulties for Tony, who later joked about this difficult dance experience in an interview with Anderson Cooper. The incompatibility between the couple just seems palpable throughout their paso doble to Lady Gaga, as Tony is actually dancing whereas Kate is more strolling than shimmying. This particular dance was even later parodied by Jimmy Fallon, among others. When it comes to the better-known dances in DWTS history for not quite measuring up, this paso doble is often mentioned.
#2: Kim Kardashian’s Rumba
(2008)
Look, we’re not attacking Kim Kardashian just because it’s Kim Kardashian. She was legitimately not at her best with this rumba. Kim was partnered with Mark Ballas, and the two danced to James Morrison’s “You Give Me Something.” However, she conveyed absolutely little genuine emotion, and there was little evidence of grace, fluidity, or chemistry with Mark. The two were given a score of 17, and while that wasn’t the lowest of the week, it was enough to get them eliminated from the show. You could say that she . . . couldn’t keep up with the competition.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Steve Wozniak’s Samba
(2009)
Billy Ray Cyrus’s Cha-Cha-Cha
(2007)
Geraldo Rivera’s Salsa
(2016)
#1: Master P’s Paso Doble
(2006)
How could it not be Master P’s paso doble? Master P is arguably the least-prepared contestant in “Dancing with the Stars” history, as he and partner Ashly DelGrosso received low scores on all their dances. However, it was their fourth week paso doble that has since become a thing. Master P looked very ill-at-ease up there, barely moving; and when he did, it was with a minimum of nuance and style. He received a generous 4 from Carrie Ann but 2s from Len and Bruno, and his cumulative score of 8 is still the worst score in “Dancing with the Stars” history. But props for putting himself out there and giving it a go.
