Alfonso Ribeiro on Social Media Fueling ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Success and Urging Contestants to Ignore the Trolls: ‘Why Are We So Mean to One Another?

By Marc Malkin

Marc Malkin

Senior Editor, Culture and Events

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“Dancing With the Stars” is not like any other reality show. It’s real.

That’s the message winner-turned-host Alfonso Ribeiro sends when discussing the competition series.

“We’re creating a safe space — a space where we’re allowing our celebrities to share their true heart,” says Ribeiro, who has been at the helm of the show since 2022 in Season 31. “We all watch reality shows, and we know it’s not reality. We know it’s scripted. We let [“DWTS”] happen live so it can’t be manipulated. Part of the job that I feel is important is I make sure that whenever the celebrities and the pros come over to me after their routine, I am giving them a space to open their heart and to showcase what they’re feeling at that moment.”

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