DWTS Co-host Responds to Alexa Penavega’s Rigging Joke
WHO:
The Independent - Alfonso Ribeiro, co-host of *Dancing With the Stars* (DWTS), responded to Alexa PenaVega’s account of a contestant saying the show might be “rigged.”
The Independent - Alexa PenaVega, an actor known for *Spy Kids*, competed on DWTS Season 21 alongside internet personality Hayes Grier.
The Independent - Ribeiro co-hosts DWTS with Julianne Hough and won Season 19.
The Independent - DWTS judges named in the article are Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.
Us Magazine - Alexa PenaVega, 38, recounted the story on her “LEXLOS” podcast with her husband, Carlos PenaVega.
WHAT:
The Independent - Alexa PenaVega recalled that the conversation with Hayes Grier happened after they had been “in the bottom” of the competition.
The Independent - The Independent said it had reached out to ABC for comment.
The Independent - PenaVega said Grier, whom she described as “only like 15 years old” and “the sweetest kid,” once said: “I think this show is rigged. I have more votes than anybody.”
The Independent - PenaVega recalled telling Grier she thought he had more votes than anyone there because of his “millions and millions of followers” and how easy it was to vote by text.
The Independent - Ribeiro commented on a social-media clip: “No chance. We want everyone who’s popular to stay on. It’s basic logic.”
The Independent - PenaVega said the clip “picks up mid story” and that she was telling a story about “sweet Hayes.”
The Independent - PenaVega said votes and judges’ opinions matter, but the show is produced; she cited a disclaimer saying producers get to choose the winner and said producers know their demographic and “the story they want to tell.”
The Independent - The article said ten couples remained in the competition and that all couples were saved from elimination on Dedication Night.
The Independent - The article listed Julia Stiles, Jackson Olson, Jenna Dewan, and Harry Shum, Jr. among the season’s celebrities and internet personalities.
WHERE:
The Independent - Ribeiro’s response appeared in a comment on a social-media clip of PenaVega’s story.
WHEN:
The Independent - The Independent described DWTS as being in Season 35 and said the competition was set to resume Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
Us Magazine - The podcast clip was from the Thursday, October 22 episode.
HOW:
The Independent - The article described DWTS as pairing celebrities with professional ballroom dancers; viewers vote by text, and judges’ comments also factor into the competition.
(UPDATED October 27, 2026 06:03 UTC)
Alfonso Ribeiro pushed back on Alexa PenaVega’s recollection that her former “Dancing With the Stars” partner Hayes Grier thought the competition might be rigged, saying popular contestants are meant to stay. PenaVega said Grier made the remark after they landed in the bottom, and she told him his large online following likely brought him plenty of text votes. She later clarified that the social-media clip began midway through her story, while adding that votes and judges’ scores matter but producers shape the show and choose the winner.
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(UPDATED October 27, 2026 04:10 UTC)
Alfonso Ribeiro pushed back on Alexa PenaVega’s retelling of a moment from her season on *Dancing With the Stars*, commenting that the show wants popular contestants to stay because “it’s basic logic.” PenaVega recalled her partner, Hayes Grier, saying he thought the competition was rigged because he had more votes than anyone, and she agreed he likely had a huge following and was easy to vote for by text. She later clarified that the clip began mid-story, while also saying that votes and judges’ opinions matter but producers shape the show and choose the winner.