Harry Shum Jr. Shares Sweet Message to DWTS Castmates Amid Lift Drama
DWTS’ Jenna Johnson, Harry Shum Jr. React to Carrie Ann Inaba’s “Lift” Critique
Harry Shum Jr. is putting a positive foot forward.
Three days after he and his Dancing With the Stars pro partner Jenna Johnson received a now-viral critique from Carrie Ann Inaba over a lift in their samba routine, the Glee alum addressed the negativity circulating on social media by sharing a reminder about what matters most in the ballroom.
“Reminder that this is a dance show. It is supposed to be joyous,” Shum wrote in an Oct. 16 Instagram post. “People are suffering in the world already, so let’s celebrate each other with more love. I’ll go first.”
Indeed, the 44-year-old proceeded to give his fellow contestants their flowers, dedicating a heartfelt message to each star about their journey on DWTS thus far.
First up, Guillermo Rodriguez. While the Jimmy Kimmel Live star was sent home on the Oct. 13 episode, Shum applauded him for how he “rallied the people at home and even us on the show to celebrate what dance should mean to people.”
The Grey’s Anatomy star went on to praise Connor Woods for having “such a levelheaded perspective on everything,” Tatyana Ali for being an “advocate for mothers holding on to their joy while doing one of the hardest jobs on the planet—being a mother” and Jackson Olson for “playing baseball games, traveling, and then learning these challenging dances all at the same time.”
Along with applauding Amber Glenn’s “duality” and Ezra Frech’s “charisma,” Shum also gave sweet shoutouts to Tyler Cameron, Maura Higgins, Julia Stiles and Jenna Dewan.
But the Crazy Rich Asians star didn’t forget to highlight his own experience in the ballroom.
“Proud of you for not letting anyone take your light and spark away no matter how much they try,” he wrote. “Keep being you.”
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And while Shum didn’t specify exactly what inspired him to share his touching post, it came just days after he and Johnson’s performance to Usher’s “Yeah” on the Oct. 13 Super Bowl-themed episode, which ignited a discourse online due to Inaba’s subsequent comments.
The DWTS judge called out Shum and Johnson for featuring a “lift” into their routine, which is prohibited in the samba, before reading the definition of the move from a piece of paper.
The tense moment seemingly shocked the ballroom, and created waves beyond the show, with Johnson’s husband and fellow pro Val Chmerkovskiy even weighing in.
And as Shum wants fans to focus on the joy DWTS brings, his castmates are following in step. After all, Cameron shared a similar heartwarming message to combat the negativity.
“I feel like DWTS online discourse has gotten very negative lately so let’s put some positivity out there,” he wrote in an Oct. 16 Instagram video that featured behind-the-scenes footage of Frech in the ballroom. “What’s a moment of yours that is your favorite? I’ll start, I love watching the intensity and focus of Ezra and Amber when they take the stage. Elite competitors who own the room and lock in and dominate the floor.”
“I took this video in awe of the 21 year old man,” Cameron added, “mature beyond [his] years, making a name for himself on a stage that’s not normal to him and owning it.”
For a closer look at Dancing With the Stars’ season 35 cast, keep reading…
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
You won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten
Cha-cha-chopping away... The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson
What did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart
The former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
Twenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
The 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach
The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills
After sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold
The comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
The Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
The Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
The Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom.
"Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
The Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience.
"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
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