Hope Solo Eliminated From DWTS For ‘Too Much Muscle’
Hope Solo has finally opened up about her experience on season 13 of “Dancing with the Stars.”
Speaking with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Solo said that her elimination was over her physique and having “too much muscle.”
When the soccer star and her partner Maks Chmerkovskiy were eliminated earlier this month, Solo was so upset she refused to speak with reporters.
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The athlete said she felt “DWTS” judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli did not like her.
Solo explained, “I was told I had too much muscle and I was too intense and wasn’t very dainty. Well, hello – you cast a female professional athlete! Help me get better as a dancer.”
Solo and Chmerkovskiy lasted in the dance competition through the semi finals and marked the season’s ninth elimination despite earning low points from the judges. Solo remained unpopular with judges after her partner argued their critiques on the show earlier this season.
“It is very much reality television,” said the U.S. Women’s Soccer team member on “Anderson 360.”
“From day one, they casted our characters,” said Solo, adding that she felt “very naïve” during her time on “DWTS.”
“There’s no hard feelings at all, I understand that it’s television.”
Solo told Cooper that she and her partner had an “endearing relationship” despite their quarrels on “DWTS.”
“Maks and I were great friends,” said Solo. “I just really wish that America and all of our fans saw the fun-loving side of me and Max, because I think that’s what people really wanted to see.”
Professional dancer Chmerkovskiy apologized to Solo after their elimination, saying backstage: “I’m sorry; I wish I could have been better for you.”
Upon her elimination, Solo thanked ABC for casting her, and told the camera that appearing on the show had been “one of the toughest competitions I’ve ever been a part of.”
Her cast mates on “DWTS” mourned her elimination and complimented the soccer star.
“I love them,” Ricki Lake told E! News after Solo and Chmerkovskiy were eliminated.
“They were on my team paso and we did so well with that,” the former talk show host added. “I think they’re both great people. I think she did great. She came so far and I now like soccer. I never knew anything about it, but now I’m rooting for my goalie Hope Solo!”
Also, the winner of season 13’s mirror ball trophy, J.R. Martinez shared his opinion of the soccer star.
“Hope did a great job this season. She surprised herself, she surprised all of us and she surprised America. I’m sure she’s proud of herself,” said the actor.
