In a dramatic and highly‑visible turn on the latest “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame” themed episode of Dancing With the Stars (Season 34), hip‑hop icon Flavor Flav found himself at the centre of a judging controversy after awarding the influential duo Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy a 9 instead of a perfect 10, thereby denying them what would have been the first flawless 40/40 score of the season.
The Critical Moment
The performance in question was the duo’s Paso Doble to Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi, a high‑octane tribute befitting the theme of the evening. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli each held up 10s—yet it was Flavor Flav who handed in a 9. That single mis‑click transformed the narrative of the night.
Flav later clarified in an exclusive statement that the error was unintentional—he “meant to give them a 10,” but the judging device locked the 9 in as soon as he tapped it. “That girl deserved perfect 10s,” he said.
Fan & Industry Backlash
Viewers and critics alike were swift to respond. Social media erupted with frustration and incredulity, using words such as “chaotic,” “unfair,” and “infuriating” to describe the disruption to the standings.
Moreover, some pointed out that Flav’s unfamiliarity with formal dance‑judging protocols may have contributed to broader inconsistencies—earlier in the episode he had awarded unexpectedly high marks to other contestants, further stoking the debate about fairness and transparency in the scoring process.
The Aftermath and Bigger Picture
Though the duo survived elimination with a 39/40 score, the fallout has far‑reaching implications. For one, this incident puts guest judging under greater scrutiny within the show’s format—how much star appeal is too much when technical precision is at stake?
Secondly, Flavor Flav’s presence on the judging panel underscores a broader trend: blending pop‑culture icons into formats requiring niche expertise. The gamble can bring ratings, buzz and spectacle—but at the cost of perceived fairness and credibility.
Lastly, for Earle and Chmerkovskiy, the near‑perfect score still serves as validation of their skill—but the missed milestone will likely linger in public memory. Their next outing is bound to be even more closely watched.
What’s Next?
Dancing With the Stars airs weekly on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu, with the impending 20th‑anniversary episode set to inject further hype into the season. Meanwhile, Flavor Flav’s judging debut may serve as a case study for how reality‑competition formats manage star power in technical adjudication roles.
© 2025 PopScopeNow – Wednesday, November 6, 2025
