Emma Slater Explains DWTS Move to Avoid Deduction

Emma Slater said her footwork in a Dancing With the Stars waltz with Jackson Olson was intentional to keep her foot on the floor and avoid a point deduction from Carrie Ann Inaba. After a TikTok user wrote that a sickled foot ruined the dance, Slater replied on Oct. 10 that she had to keep her foot down to stop CAI from docking a point, and that being dragged backward made the move look awkward without her bending her leg. She said she did it to stop him being docked a point. The pair scored 21 out of 30 for their waltz to Mariah Carey's Without You on the season 35 episode cited as Oct. 7, with one outlet citing Tuesday, Oct. 6. Judges Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli have been giving lower scores this season to leave room for growth. Lifts are forbidden in classic ballroom waltzes, and Inaba is known for docking points for them. Slater and Olson survived elimination against Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong heading into Super Bowl Week. In a Sept. 29 interview Slater said hard work followed by judges' criticism can be disheartening even for a longtime pro, and dancers must take it and keep going.