The glitzy world of “Dancing with the Stars” hides a challenging reality: a long history of severe injuries and health emergencies. This comprehensive guide details every major ballroom casualty, revealing the triumphs and sacrifices behind the dazzling performances.
For decades, “Dancing with the Stars” has captivated audiences with its dazzling routines, intricate choreography, and the sheer grit of its celebrity contestants. Yet, beneath the sparkle and sequins lies a physically demanding competition where injuries are not just common, but often severe, leading to heartbreaking withdrawals or inspiring displays of resilience.
The ballroom, while appearing glamorous, is a battleground where broken bones, torn muscles, and unexpected health crises have frequently halted or even ended the journeys of beloved stars. From recent scares in Season 34 with Dylan Efron and Elaine Hendrix, to iconic moments of pain and triumph from past seasons, the show consistently reminds us that competing isn’t for the faint of heart or the easily injured.
The Physical Toll: Recent and Recurring Injuries
Season after season, competitors push their bodies to the limit, often with unforeseen consequences. The history of “Dancing with the Stars” is replete with instances where determination clashed with physical limitations.
Dylan Efron’s Broken Nose
In a surprising turn during Season 34 rehearsals, actor Dylan Efron found himself in the emergency room after a rogue elbow from partner Daniella Karagach resulted in a broken nose. Efron, demonstrating remarkable resolve, shared his injury on Instagram, assuring fans he would return. True to his word, he competed on Halloween Night, scoring an impressive 38/40, proving that a broken nose wouldn’t stop him from dancing.
Elaine Hendrix’s Twisted Rib Muscle
Season 34 also saw Elaine Hendrix endure a terrifying injury. During rehearsals for an Argentine tango, the actress experienced severe rib pain, freezing and unable to breathe, revealing a muscle “twisted” under her ribs. Transported to the hospital, Hendrix missed Halloween Night but was cleared by doctors to continue if fans voted her back. Her emotional Instagram post underscored her devastation but firm resolve to return, a sentiment echoed by her fans and fellow competitor Lisa Ann Walter, showcasing the strong community spirit of the show as reported by People and Times Now.
Lauren Alaina’s Hurt Ribs
Country star Lauren Alaina pushed through “four hurt ribs” during the 2019 Halloween episode of Season 28. Despite fracturing one rib earlier in the competition and suspecting others were also injured, she delivered a powerful Argentine tango. Her partner, Gleb Savchenko, praised her strength and determination to continue, a testament to the mental fortitude often required to compete on the show, as detailed by People.
Lindsey Stirling’s Rib Injury
Violinist and Season 25 front-runner Lindsey Stirling faced the daunting possibility of withdrawing after suffering a rib injury during rehearsals. However, she bravely pushed through the pain, earning an impressive 27/30 on a paso doblé the very next day. Her partner, Mark Ballas, highlighted her resilience, emphasizing that her health always came first, even as she battled through the discomfort, according to People.
Ginger Zee’s Pelvis Injury
Meteorologist Ginger Zee’s participation in the Season 22 finale was jeopardized after she injured her pelvis during rehearsals. She candidly shared her struggles, noting she couldn’t perform many moves. Despite the serious injury, which caused her pelvis to shift, Zee visited a physical therapist and returned to the ballroom, showcasing an incredible commitment to the competition.
Katherine Jenkins’ Lower Back Pain
Season 14 frontrunner Katherine Jenkins experienced significant lower back pain during a semi-finals performance, leading to a mistake and emotional tears. Diagnosed with a reflectorial spasm, she sought medical attention but still managed to secure second place in the competition, a testament to her determination even through discomfort.
Drew Scott’s Hamstring Injury
In Season 25, Drew Scott of “Property Brothers” fame injured his hamstring during a camera blocking rehearsal. This put his performance that night in jeopardy, preventing him from doing a full lunge. Yet, Scott successfully performed his quickstep and continued for another week, demonstrating the ability of contestants to adapt and perform even when physically compromised.
Serious Ailments and Unforgettable Withdrawals
Not all injuries allow for a comeback. Some health crises have been so severe that they forced competitors to withdraw from the emotionally charged competition, often to the disappointment of their partners and fans.
Kim Zolciak’s Mini-Stroke
In 2015, during Season 21, reality star Kim Zolciak suffered a mini-stroke. This severe health scare forced her to withdraw from the competition, as she was unable to travel from Atlanta to Los Angeles for her performance. Zolciak later described the show’s hectic schedule, which she believed contributed to a blood clot, as a “blessing” for bringing the underlying health issue to light, as shared by People.
Tamar Braxton’s Blood Clots
Also in 2015, during the same challenging Season 21, singer Tamar Braxton was rushed to the hospital during a dress rehearsal. Diagnosed with blood clots in her lungs, she was forced to withdraw from the competition, becoming the second competitor that season to self-eliminate due to a health crisis, as reported by People.
Christie Brinkley’s Broken Arm
Model Christie Brinkley had to withdraw from her season after a fall during rehearsals resulted in a broken arm. In a heartwarming and unique turn of events, her daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, stepped in to take her mother’s place, fitting perfectly into her costume. Brinkley-Cook shared that she was motivated to make her mom proud, especially since getting hurt was her mother’s “worst nightmare,” as noted by People.
Misty May-Treanor’s Torn Achilles
Gold medal-winning Olympian Misty May-Treanor was forced to withdraw from Season 7 after she tore her Achilles tendon during rehearsal. This severe injury required surgery, making it impossible for her to continue dancing with partner Maks Chmerkovskiy and ultimately ending her run, a pivotal moment in the show’s history as highlighted by People and ESPN.
Unconventional Challenges: Beyond Physical Trauma
Not all obstacles in the ballroom are traditional injuries. Contestants have faced a spectrum of health challenges, from chronic conditions to unexpected viral infections, testing their ability to adapt.
Cheryl Burke & Cody Rigsby’s Positive COVID Tests
Season 30 presented an unprecedented challenge when both pro dancer Cheryl Burke and celebrity partner Cody Rigsby tested positive for breakthrough COVID-19 in late September 2021. This marked the show’s first cases and forced them to perform remotely from their individual homes. Despite the difficult circumstances, including not being able to hear or physically connect with each other, they delivered a Britney Spears-inspired routine, albeit with Burke feeling “screwed” by the judges’ scores, as she shared on her podcast Pretty Messed Up.
Hannah Brown’s Post-Show Pain
Winning the Mirrorball Trophy doesn’t always end the physical toll. Former Bachelorette star Hannah Brown revealed in January 2021 that she continued to suffer from pain and couldn’t work out normally months after her Season 28 win. She attributed some of her lingering issues to the intense demands of “Dancing with the Stars,” leading her to physical therapy and a re-evaluation of her fitness regimen, a candid admission documented by People.
Pamela Anderson’s Calf Muscle
During her participation in Dancing with the Stars France, actress Pamela Anderson suffered a painful calf muscle injury that she described as feeling like “someone threw a baseball very hard at my lower leg.” This was her second injury of the season, leaving her on crutches, yet she remained determined to perform, underscoring the relentless drive of contestants across international versions of the show.
Bobby Bones’ Mouth Injury
Radio DJ Bobby Bones, gearing up for Season 27, faced not one but two hard elbow hits to the mouth during rehearsals. One incident was severe enough to require a dental claim and involved “blood and a tooth,” as he recounted to People. Despite the unexpected and painful injuries, Bones continued to compete, eventually winning the Mirrorball Trophy.
Victoria Arlen’s Body Spasm
Victoria Arlen, an ESPN host who overcame a neurological condition and autoimmune disease that left her in a vegetative state for four years, faced a terrifying body spasm during a Season 25 rehearsal. The entire right side of her body went into spasm, yet after receiving medical attention from her partner Val Chmerkovskiy, she still competed that night. Her ability to overcome such a severe setback, especially given her medical history, was lauded by judges and co-hosts alike, as reported by People.
Marie Osmond’s Fainting Spell
One of the most memorable and shocking moments in DWTS history occurred in Season 5 when Marie Osmond fainted live on television during judges’ critiques. After remaining on the ground for 30 seconds, she quickly recovered. Despite producers urging her to see a medic, Osmond insisted on receiving her scores and incredibly continued her journey in the competition, cementing her place as a tenacious competitor, a moment recalled by People.
Terra Jole’s Hernias
Season 23 contestant Terra Jole competed while managing existing hernias, often wearing a back brace to prevent further injury. Her commitment to pushing her limits, despite knowing the potential long-term physical cost, highlighted the sacrifices contestants make for their passion and the show. As she wrote in her blog for People, she felt it was “worth it.”
Jordan Fisher’s Prior Injuries
Season 25 winner Jordan Fisher entered “Dancing with the Stars” with a history of injuries from childhood gymnastics. He revealed to People that he suffered from “not great hips,” tendinitis in both Achilles, thin cartilage in his ankles, and rotator cuff issues. Despite chronic soreness, Fisher found that dancing actually helped him prevent “real damage” in the future, showcasing a unique perspective on managing old injuries within a new, intense physical challenge.
Cristián de la Fuente’s Ruptured Bicep Tendon
In Season 6, actor Cristián de la Fuente suffered a ruptured tendon in his bicep, a severe tearing of muscle from bone. The injury required surgery and significantly impacted his ability to perform complex lifts. Remarkably, de la Fuente chose to delay surgery so he could continue competing with his partner, Cheryl Burke, ultimately placing third. His decision highlighted the immense dedication and sacrifice often seen on the show.
Melissa Rycroft’s Disc Herniation
During rehearsals for a group dance in the 2012 All-Star season, Melissa Rycroft was injured and hospitalized. Her diagnosis of a disc herniation put her chances in the competition in serious jeopardy. However, showing incredible perseverance, Rycroft overcame the obstacle and went on to win the Mirrorball Trophy, a testament to her tenacity, as documented by People.
Bill Nye’s Torn Tendon
In Season 17, “the Science Guy” Bill Nye tripped during a performance and was later diagnosed with a torn tendon after an MRI. Despite his doctor’s recommendation not to dance the following week, Nye famously ignored the advice, opting to continue. While his determination was applauded by the judges, his low scores ultimately led to his elimination, underscoring the balance between passion and physical capability on the show.
The Unyielding Spirit of the Ballroom
The extensive list of injuries and health crises on “Dancing with the Stars” serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary demands placed upon its contestants. From professional athletes with pre-existing conditions to celebrities pushing their bodies in entirely new ways, the journey is rarely without its physical tolls.
Yet, for every withdrawal, there are countless stories of stars pushing through immense pain, defying medical advice, and leveraging unwavering fan support to continue their dream. These narratives of resilience and determination are as much a part of the show’s legacy as the perfect 10s and glittering Mirrorball Trophies.
The “Dancing with the Stars” ballroom is not just a stage for entertainment; it is a crucible where physical and mental strength are tested, often resulting in moments of vulnerability that deepen the connection between the stars and their dedicated fan community.
