Dancing with the Stars is no stranger to controversial contestants. Controversy can often increase viewership. But ABC probably couldn’t have predicted all of Harry Jowsey’s mess.
Many fans clamored to get him off the show, perplexed as to how he stayed around so long with his stagnant skills. Things got worse when fans dug up homophobic comments from his recent past. What’s worse, his partner, Rylee Arnold, took a lot of the heat for his missteps. In the end, Harry did finally get sent home, to the joy of many fans.
So, what was it that finally got him out after previously failed efforts? Many viewers believe Taylor Swift’s fans played a part. When it came out that Harry followed Scooter Braun on Instagram, Swifties were not happy, considering Braun bought and sold the rights to Taylor’s first six albums.
ABC is unclear on Taylor’s influence in DWTS
On November 21, ABC’s Vice President of Alternative Series quote tweeted a headline from the U.S. Sun. The headline read, “Taylor Swift fans vow to vote Harry Jowsey off DWTS after reality star ‘betrays’ singer on social media.” The VP, Robert Mills, posted the headline and pontificated, “I actually wonder if this is what happened.”
The idea that Harry might’ve gone home because of Swiftie activism isn’t all that implausible, just as Mills suggested. When DWTS posted a special announcement from Taylor Swift on their YouTube channel, one of the top comments on the video read, “Swifties listen up!!! Vote for anyone, literally anyone other than Harry!!! Justice for Barry [Williams] and anyone else that has gone home all because of that tree trunk! Stop voting for him!!”
However, Swifties might not have been the only component. Many were seeing the writing on the wall as Harry failed to improve week to week. Harry’s own fans were turning against him in many respects. Harry himself felt extreme remorse when Lele Pons was given the boot, and wondered if he could leave and she could stay. In any case, he’s gone now. From here, hopefully, the best man wins.
Dancing with the Stars continues Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK TAYLOR’S FANS HAD A HAND IN GETTING HARRY OFF THE SHOW?
