‘Dancing with the Stars’: Mortifying Performances These Contestants Will Never Live Down

Part of our attraction to reality TV is the possibility of humiliation — and that doubles for any show featuring non-professional dancers trying to dance. Though Dancing with the Stars sees many celebrities prove themselves on the dance floor, we often remember the stars who didn’t do so great. It makes for compelling television, and it reminds us that even the most acclaimed celebrities and athletes can’t be good at everything.

Let’s look at a few celebrities who were humiliated on Dancing with the Stars, ranked from bad to absolutely cringeworthy.

17. Season 5: Marie Osmond faints

Eliminated: Week 10 (finals)

After her performance with partner Jonathan Roberts, Marie Osmond went from excitedly celebrating their success to completely unconscious on the ground. Everyone, including the judges and 500-person audience, seemed completely shocked as Osmond lay motionless on the floor. DWTS host Tom Bergeron quickly cut to a commercial as Roberts attempted to help his partner.

Later on, Osmond shared that “once in a while that happens to me when I get winded. I stop breathing.” But ABC made her complete a medical evaluation anyway. Osmond and Roberts moved on, and ended up placing third in the competition overall.

16. Season 23: Rick Perry takes one for Texas

Eliminated: Week 2

After mounting an unsuccessful bid for the presidency, former Texas governor Rick Perry was on Dancing with the Stars. That’s pretty humiliating, right? It only gets worse when Perry actually starts dancing to “God Bless Texas,” a routine that ensured his merciful finish in 12th place.

“I don’t know what part of it was crazy good,” Goodman said of the dance. “It was pedestrian.”

Next: Her partner’s lack of recovery didn’t do her any favors.