The Unseen Scorecard: Peta Murgatroyd Unpacks the DWTS Judging Dilemma

Ah, Dancing With the Stars — a dazzling spectacle of sequins, spray tans, and, let's be honest, often a fair bit of controversy. Every season, without fail, the internet lights up with debates about who deserved what score, who was underscored, or, perhaps, who sailed through a little too easily. But what happens when one of the show’s own, a seasoned professional dancer no less, steps forward to echo those very concerns? Well, that's precisely what Peta Murgatroyd has done, candidly sharing her thoughts on a judging system that, she believes, sometimes misses the point entirely.

It’s an age-old discussion, really. You see, the ballroom floor isn't always level, and Peta points directly to what many viewers have suspected for years: the palpable advantage given to celebrities who, frankly, arrive with a dance background. Think about it: a former cheerleader, a TikTok phenom who practically grew up in dance studios, a pop star with years of choreography under their belt. They start from a place of innate rhythm and muscle memory, which, for many, is a world away from someone who's never truly learned a choreographed step in their life. And that, Peta argues, skews the entire system.

She makes a compelling case, doesn't she? For Peta, it isn't just about the raw talent displayed on any given Monday night. No, not at all. She's far more interested in the journey, the progress, the sheer grit it takes for a true beginner to transform from awkward novice to a respectable performer. You could say, in truth, that's the real magic of DWTS, isn't it? Watching someone truly learn and grow. Yet, when the scores come down, a technically proficient dancer with prior experience might earn near-perfect marks, while a beginner, who has improved exponentially from week one, gets a solid but unspectacular score. The optics, one must admit, are tough.

Consider her recent partnership with Barry Williams — a wonderful, enthusiastic personality who, for all his charm, was very much a beginner. Peta highlighted the sheer effort and progress Barry made, comparing it to the scores sometimes awarded to those who simply started at a higher baseline. It’s a nuanced argument, not a call to penalize good dancers, but rather a plea for a judging framework that genuinely rewards development over pre-existing skill. Because, honestly, isn't the “star” who genuinely learns to dance more inspiring than the one who merely refines what they already knew?

Of course, it’s not to say the judges are entirely blind to this. Some, like Carrie Ann Inaba, do often speak about growth and individual journeys. But the overall system, Peta suggests, could do so much more to reflect this crucial aspect. It's a call for a shift in perspective, a nudge to acknowledge that the competitive spirit of the show shouldn't overshadow its powerful capacity for transformation. And perhaps, just perhaps, it's a conversation worth having season after season, if only to ensure that the joy of dance, and the triumphs of those who truly learn it, remain at the heart of the ballroom.