Danielle Fishel Reveals What ‘Bothers’ Her About Her ‘DWTS’ Elimination

Danielle Fishel Shares Her Frustration Over ‘DWTS’ Elimination

Danielle Fishel, beloved actress and podcast host, recently revealed the aspect of her Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) elimination that left her feeling unsettled. On November 7, Fishel took to Instagram to express her disappointment that the show chose to omit the deeply personal narrative behind the choreography crafted by her dance partner, Pasha Pashkov. This backstory was meant to add emotional depth to their performance to Aerosmith’s iconic song “Dream On,” but unfortunately, it never made it to the broadcast.

The 44-year-old actress explained that before their routine, Pashkov asked her what story she wanted to tell through their dance. Fishel was eager to share a meaningful message about the impossible standards imposed on women by society and themselves. She described how these pressures manifest in various ways, from criticism about parenting choices to judgments about appearance and aging.

“I wrote to Pasha, I said, ‘Okay, our story is about the impossible standards placed on women both from society and from ourselves. If we pursue work outside the home and have a family, we’re told that we should be with our kids more,” Fishel shared. “If we stay home, we’re told we don’t work and are uninteresting. If we’re too thin, we’re told to eat a burger and if we gain weight, we’re told to get off the couch. When we get Botox or fillers, we’re accused of not aging gracefully and when we age naturally, we’re called old and ugly.’”

The Personal Story Behind the Dance

What made this dance especially poignant for Fishel was her recent breast cancer diagnosis in 2024. This life-altering experience gave her a new perspective on the pressures women face and the importance of living authentically. She wanted the dance to reflect the struggle of feeling “too much and never enough” simultaneously, and the ultimate realization that the only cure is to live life on one’s own terms.

“We are sometimes always too much and never enough at the same time and the only cure for it is to live life your way, living out your dreams because as my cancer diagnosis pointed out to me last year, life is short and we never know when we’re living our last day or dancing our last dance,” Fishel explained.

Pashkov embraced this concept wholeheartedly and designed choreography that symbolized the noise, judgments, and expectations women face. The dance was meant to show Fishel learning to stop fighting these pressures and instead rising above them by adjusting her response.

Editing Out the Message: What Went Wrong?

Despite the powerful backstory and the thoughtful choreography, Fishel was disheartened to discover that none of this context was included in the show’s package. “When we were on the ballroom floor, I was like, listening to my package and I was like… none of that was even mentioned, like none of my story was even in the package,” she said. “Those are just things that are completely out of our control.”

In the comments section of her Instagram post, Fishel doubled down on her frustration, emphasizing how much it bothered her that the emotional core of their performance was left out. She wrote, “That’s the part that bothers me the most. Pasha’s entire choreography was built around the idea that he would represent the noise, the judgments, the criticism, and expectations and as the dance evolved I would learn to stop fighting it and instead learn to live with it and rise above it. Because you can’t stop or change it but you can adjust how you respond or react.”

Reflecting on Her DWTS Journey and What’s Next

Fishel and Pashkov were eliminated on November 4 after receiving a score of 34 out of 40 from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, Derek Hough, and guest judge Flavor Flav. Despite the elimination, Fishel expressed gratitude for the experience and her partnership with Pashkov.

Following her exit, she shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, including a clip from her “Danielle With Stars” podcast. “Tonight was my last night, it was my last dance. I was eliminated and I have such a wide range of emotions,” she said. “My day-to-day life is going to so drastically change now. It couldn’t have gone any better. I am so lucky. I was so lucky that Pasha was my partner.”

Her openness about the challenges she faced both on and off the dance floor has resonated with many fans, highlighting the importance of authenticity and resilience.

Why Danielle Fishel’s Story Matters

Danielle Fishel’s experience on Dancing With the Stars goes beyond just a competition. It shines a light on the societal pressures women endure and the importance of telling personal stories through art. Her willingness to share her breast cancer journey and the emotional weight behind her dance routine offers inspiration to others facing similar struggles.

The omission of her story from the show’s broadcast underscores the challenges performers face when their narratives are filtered through production decisions. Yet, Fishel’s candidness on social media ensures that her message reaches her audience, encouraging conversations about self-acceptance and strength.

Conclusion

Danielle Fishel’s revelation about what bothered her most regarding her DWTS elimination reveals the deeper layers behind her performance and the emotional journey she undertook. While the show’s editing choices may have left out her personal story, her voice remains strong and impactful. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of living authentically and rising above societal expectations.

If you found Danielle Fishel’s story inspiring, be sure to follow her journey on social media and listen to her “Danielle With Stars” podcast for more insights and heartfelt conversations. Don’t miss out on updates from this courageous star as she continues to share her life and experiences with her fans.