‘Dancing With the Stars’: Danielle Fishel Breaks Silence on Viral Whitney Leavitt Moment

Danielle Fishel has addressed rumors of tension with her Dancing With the Stars castmate Whitney Leavitt after a backstage interaction between the two went viral. The moment, which aired during Week 3 of the ABC competition, sparked online chatter about possible drama between the contestants.

Fans noticed an awkward exchange after the shocking elimination of singer Lauren Jauregui and her pro partner Brandon Armstrong. As other contestants gathered to say goodbye, cameras caught Leavitt celebrating making it through to the next round — before her smile quickly faded following a brief encounter with Fishel.

Danielle Fishel Denies Feud Rumors

Speaking to TMZ after the episode aired, the 44-year-old Boy Meets World alum dismissed speculation that she had scolded Leavitt for being insensitive. “No,” Fishel said when asked if she had “put Whitney in her place.” She explained that emotions run high on the show and it’s possible to feel both joy and sadness in the same moment.

“It’s a roller coaster of emotions,” Fishel shared. “We can be happy for ourselves and our friends that were safe and also sad that somebody is gone. I definitely did not put her in her place, but I just went to go comfort my friend [Jauregui].”

Fishel’s clarification came after social media users debated the viral clip, with some suggesting her facial expression signaled disapproval. Her statement appears to shut down any rumors of conflict and emphasizes camaraderie among the cast despite competition pressure.

Lauren Jauregui Reacts to Elimination

The viral moment unfolded shortly after Lauren Jauregui and Brandon Armstrong were sent home following their cha-cha to Fifth Harmony’s hit “Work From Home.” The performance scored 18 out of 30 points from the judges, landing them at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Asked by host Julianne Hough how she felt about the exit, Jauregui responded bluntly with “Pissed.” Later, she addressed her reaction on Instagram, explaining that she’s highly competitive and disappointed by the result. “Please don’t ever put a mic in my face right after I get eliminated off something on national television,” she joked, while thanking Armstrong for his support throughout the competition.

Jauregui added that the experience reignited her love for dance and body movement, calling the past month “one of the most joyful” of her life. Despite the disappointment, she said she was “so grateful” for the opportunity and praised Armstrong as a “solid human” and “incredible dance partner.”

Fans React as Season 34 Heats Up

The viral clip and Fishel’s response have sparked buzz as Dancing With the Stars heads deeper into Season 34. Social media commentary shows how invested fans are in not just the dances but the behind-the-scenes dynamics. With eliminations becoming more emotional each week, contestants face growing pressure to perform while also navigating public scrutiny.

The show airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and simulcasts live on Disney+. Episodes are available for streaming the next day on Hulu, keeping fans engaged as the competition unfolds.

Danielle Fishel’s response aims to shut down any speculation of conflict, reminding viewers that competition nights are filled with complex emotions and friendships behind the scenes.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Did Danielle Fishel and Whitney Leavitt have a feud?

No. Fishel said there was no drama and that she was only comforting Lauren Jauregui after her elimination.

Q2: Why did fans think there was tension between them?

A clip showed Leavitt celebrating before suddenly going serious after an exchange with Fishel, sparking speculation online.

Q3: Who got eliminated during that episode?

Singer Lauren Jauregui and her dance partner Brandon Armstrong were eliminated after scoring 18/30.

Q4: How did Lauren Jauregui feel about being eliminated?

She said she was “pissed” but later thanked her partner and expressed gratitude for the experience.

Q5: Where can I watch ‘Dancing With the Stars’?

The show airs Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.