‘DWTS’ Overhauls Voting System Following Fan Backlash — Big Changes Coming Next Week!

It’s not the first time Dancing With the Stars has come under fire for its voting process — and if insiders are right, it won’t be the last.

After waves of fan frustration this season, the show’s producers are reportedly preparing another big change to how viewers cast their votes.

A Controversial Win That Changed Everything

Longtime fans of DWTS still remember Season 27 — the year that changed the competition forever.

Country radio host Bobby Bones walked away with the mirrorball trophy despite regularly landing near the bottom of the leaderboard. Viewers were stunned, and even Bones later confessed that he had “cheated to win the competition.”

That shocking finale forced producers to completely rethink the way votes were counted. When the show returned the following season, the rules were rewritten to focus more on skill and less on popularity.

Judges agreed to score purely on technique rather than crowd reactions, and voting was limited to when the show aired live on the East Coast.

Viewers across other time zones could still participate — but many complained about having to vote without seeing the performances first.

For a few seasons, that revamped system kept things calm. But recently, the uproar has returned louder than ever.

Fans Call for Fairness Amid Growing Concerns

This season, viewers have been vocal online about what they see as another imbalance in the voting process.

One contestant, in particular, has fans so worried that some have joked — or perhaps not entirely jokingly — that the celebrity might have a “heart attack on live TV” if they’re pushed to keep competing.

The sense of déjà vu has sparked renewed conversations within the production team. According to insiders, the showrunners are not just listening — they’re planning a major fix.

Producers Eye New Ways to Vote — and a Bigger Shakeup Ahead

Behind the scenes, DWTS is already bracing for multiple changes next season. Reports suggest that even some fan-favorite professional dancers could be cut due to underwhelming performances this year. And now, another overhaul appears to be brewing — this time, centered on how fans vote.

Currently, votes are accepted via text message or online at ABC.com, with texting remaining the preferred method for most viewers. But in the age of TikTok, Instagram, and endless scrolling, show executives reportedly see an opportunity to modernize audience participation.

A source told The U.S. Sun that producers are seriously exploring “integrating things like social media into the voting process, specifically TikTok.”

The insider continued, “It hasn’t been ironed out yet, but they’re trying to make voting more accessible and want it to reach a wider audience for season 35.”

The Future of Fan Power on DWTS

If the social media voting plan goes through, it could mark one of the show’s biggest shifts since the Bobby Bones controversy years ago.

By letting fans vote directly through platforms where contestants already post dance clips and behind-the-scenes content, DWTS could open up engagement to a younger and more global audience.

Whether this move will solve the fairness problem or create a new one remains to be seen. But one thing is clear — the ballroom drama isn’t staying confined to the dance floor anymore.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening on DWTS now. Come back here often for all DWTS spoilers, news, and updates.