Rylee Arnold has addressed ongoing speculation regarding her potential return to Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) for its upcoming season. During an appearance on *The Morning After Show* with Julianne Hough on November 20, 2023, Arnold dismissed the rumors as mere “noise,” emphasizing her desire to return to the competition.
Arnold, 20, expressed her feelings of pressure, stating, “I definitely feel pressure, I think every single dance I’m in has to be good. I feel like I have to present myself.” The young dancer has faced significant online criticism throughout the current season, particularly concerning her partnership with Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying. Critics have questioned her ability to teach him ballroom dance effectively and speculated about her future as a professional dancer on the show.
“I would absolutely love to do another season — if not a bunch of more seasons — if they want me there,” Arnold said. She acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding her status, mentioning that DWTS professionals often do not know their fate until the summer months. “Hearing that noise from sources that probably aren’t even true is super, super hard,” she added.
Navigating the chatter on social media has been particularly challenging for Arnold. “I just try to give myself grace and know that I’m growing,” she shared. Recognizing the experience of her fellow DWTS professionals, she noted, “Of course, they know more than I do; they have experience way more than I have, which is so normal.”
Arnold emphasized her commitment to focusing on her own progress rather than comparing herself to other dancers. “I’m just staying in my lane, doing the very best I can,” she said. “I think that’s the most important part. I just try to remember that I am living a dream that I’ve had since I was a little girl, and I’m so grateful that I’m in the position I’m in.”
Reflecting on her journey, Arnold expressed optimism about her future in the competition. “I’m going to look back one day, and I’m not going to focus on what other people have said,” she stated. “I’m going to focus on the fact that I was so genuinely happy in this moment and just so proud of what I was doing.”
Currently in her third season as a professional dancer, Arnold has faced a barrage of critical comments regarding her teaching style and choreography. “There have been so many opinions and other things,” she recalled. “Yeah, we are in the position to get that because we’re putting out our choreography and our work every single week for people to judge, but it’s definitely taken a toll on me this year.”
Yet, she remains motivated by the challenges. “I have put my best foot forward each and every season. I have learned so much from past pros on the seasons now. I’m still learning, but it’s also exciting to me, and I love it,” she concluded.
For fans eager to catch the latest episodes of Dancing With the Stars, the show airs on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 20:00 ET, with new episodes available for streaming the following day on Hulu.
