Louis van Amstel is setting the document straight on whether or not he body-shamed former Dancing With the Stars costar Lacey Schwimmer.
“I by no means even spoke about Lacey or Cheryl [Burke] or their weight,” van Amstel, 50, claimed through an Instagram video shared on Tuesday, October 31. “I actually really feel unhealthy for them that they had been made to really feel so unhealthy by that [TV Guide] journalism [piece], however I’m right here to let you know on the well being of my sons, my household, I by no means mentioned something about their weight.”
The Dutch-American dancer — who final appeared on DWTS for season 31 in 2022 — gushed, “I like Cheryl Burke.” Whereas van Amstel confessed that he “by no means actually linked” with Schwimmer, 35, he insisted, “I might by no means disgrace her on her physique.”
Schwimmer, who appeared on DWTS on and off from seasons 7 by means of 13, made headlines on Monday, October 30, when she recalled a 2008 TV Information interview by which van Amstel and Maksim Chmerkovskiy slammed each her and Burke, 39, for his or her our bodies.
“After I’m 19 years previous and I’m excited to do that model new enterprise, and be celebrated for one thing I’ve labored my entire life doing, to listen to individuals I’ve seemed as much as … it actually broke my spirit,” she shared throughout the episode of Burke’s “Intercourse, Lies, and Spray Tans” podcast. “Oh, my God, it ruined me. I keep in mind crying and crying and crying.”
Chmerkovskiy, 43, revealed throughout the 2008 interview, “After I first noticed these girls this season, I mentioned, ‘Guys, you realize the digital camera provides 10 kilos. You must do one thing about this.’”
Van Amstel, for his half, advised the outlet, “[People] have a look at this present to be impressed and assume, ‘If I simply work onerous sufficient, I can seem like that. In the event that they watch somebody who’s dancing her butt off and she or he’s nonetheless heavy, they are often discouraged. You must take that duty.”
There’s no disgrace in loving your physique. Fortunately, extra Hollywood stars than ever earlier than are preaching that message, they usually received’t let body-shaming feedback slide anymore. Lizzo has been vocal about attempting to assist individuals settle for all physique sizes. “I need to normalize my physique. And never simply be like, ‘Ooh, have a look at this cool […]
On Tuesday, van Amstel claimed that the 2008 quotes had been taken out of context. He alleged in his video that the TV Information author “already apologized” to him previously as a result of “she twisted my phrases” again then.
Though he was adamant that he by no means commented on Schwimmer or Burke’s our bodies whereas working collectively, van Amstel mentioned he was sorry — particularly to Schwimmer — for being concerned in one thing that brought on her ache.
“I apologize to you that you simply had been made to really feel unhealthy by that piece, it was simply not ever coming from my mouth,” van Amstel mentioned to Schwimmer on digital camera. “I respect you as a dancer and also you had been nice on Dancing With the Stars. I actually don’t know what else to say. I by no means mentioned these phrases. If I did, I might’ve owned as much as it.”
Louis Van Amstel and Lacey Schwimmer, 2010. Chelsea Lauren/WireImage/Getty Photographs
He added that he would proceed to respect any and all dancers’ our bodies and emotions shifting ahead. “And right here’s to anybody that feels shamed by their physique, I’m the No. 1 individual that might get up for you,” he mentioned. “That is what I base my entire complete firm on, helps others, making others really feel higher about themselves.”
The previous actuality star concluded: “Once more, final time, and I’m by no means going to speak about it ever once more, I by no means mentioned something about Lacey or Cheryl’s weight. Thanks.”
Schwimmer, in the meantime, defined on Burke’s podcast that she doesn’t fault Chmerkovskiy or van Amstel for the 2008 remarks. As an alternative, she pointed to DWTS’ tradition as the explanation she was insecure about her form.
Mirrorball champs or not, Dancing With the Stars has featured some impeccable skilled dancers within the years for the reason that ABC competitors sequence premiered in 2005. Derek Hough, Cheryl Burke and Maksim Chmerkovskiy are among the many expertise who’ve lit up the ballroom. A number of the present’s stars went on to attain main success of their careers whereas […]
“In a bizarre means, I do really feel, and that is my private opinion, that Dancing With the Stars breeds physique picture points for ladies,” she advised Burke. “We’re pressured to be put in bras and panties with a pair items of fringe on the butt. And simply, you’re standing subsequent to those ladies who’re naturally skinny and you need to take excessive measures.”
Schwimmer, who was 19 years previous when she first joined DWTS, revealed that she “abused” fat burners whereas on the sequence. “I do discover, and listen to me out once more, that is my private opinion, the thinner you’re, the extra consideration you find yourself getting on that present,” she mentioned.
That perspective resulted in Schwimmer dropping from a measurement 6 to a measurement 2. When she weighed 115 kilos, she claimed she began to seem in photoshoots and particular numbers for DWTS, however not beforehand.
Us Weekly beforehand reached out to ABC for remark.