ABC 'Dancing With the Stars' 2014 Cast: Season 19 Dancer Worried Julianne Hough Will Show Favoritism to Brother Derek on DWTS
Former competing "Dancing With the Stars" professional dancer Julianne Hough has been announced as the fourth judge for Season 19. One dancer competing this season, however, is concerned about Hough showing bias.
Karina Smirnoff will be competing in the upcoming season of the ABC dancing competition show and fears that Hough may give special treatment to another competing dancer: her older brother Derek Hough.
"I think she is a great girl. I've known her for many years," Smirnoff said in an interview with Us Weekly. "I think that she is wonderful, gorgeous and talented, but I don't know if it's ethical that she is judging while her brother is competing."
According to the dancer, it would be difficult for anyone to avoid showing favoritism toward a family member.
"I may be the most fair person in the world, but if my mom is dancing and she trips, I would be like, 'Well, I didn't see that,'" she said. "That is my mother, and I will go stand by her side and support her regardless."
Still, Smirnoff said she understands the nature of TV.
"Do I think it's fair? No. But it is a TV show," she said. "That is what we have to remember. It's not necessarily the Bible; it's just a TV show."
In an interview with People last week, Hough claimed that her return to the show is not about helping her brother or any of her competing friends.
"Derek has been known to be very good with his partnerships, but it's not about my brother, nor is it about [competing dancers] Cheryl [Burke] or Mark [Ballas]," she said. "It's about the partnership and the celebrity who is dancing."
This season's celebrity contestants will be announced on the Sept. 4 episode of "Good Morning America." Season 19 premieres on ABC on Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET.
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