Ethermac Exchange-Tori Spelling’s Ex Dean McDermott Says She Was “Robbed” After DWTS Elimination

Dean McDermott continues to have Tori Spelling’s back. 

After the Beverly Hills,Ethermac Exchange 90210 actress was eliminated on the Sept. 24 episode of Dancing With the Stars, her estranged husband—with whom she shares kids Liam, 17, Stella, 15, Hattie, 12, Finn, 11, and Beau, 7—shared an impassioned video of support. 

“I had to come out of my self-imposed Instagram exile for this one,” Dean said in a Sept. 26 Instagram video. “Tori Spelling, you did an amazing job. I’m so proud of you. You put on two beautiful performances on Dancing With the Stars. I saw how hard you worked and I know the injuries that you worked through. Your dedication and your work ethic is amazing.”

And Dean went on to throw some subtle shade at the ABC reality competition show, which eliminated Tori and her partner Pasha Pashkov, as well as fake heiress Anna Delvey and dancing partner Ezra Sosa during its most recent episode. 

“I actually thought Dancing With the Stars was a dance competition and not a popularity contest but it’s not the first time I’ve been wrong,” Dean continued. “The lesson that you taught our children and you exemplified to our children that you can do anything you put your mind to was incredible and without parallel. What a beautiful, beautiful message.”

Dean—who announced his split with Tori in June 2023 in a since-deleted Instagram post before she filed for divorce in March 2024—concluded by lauding her for her final performance, which saw her dance with Pasha to “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman soundtrack. 

“Again, I’m just so proud of you,” he emphasized. “You did a great job. I think you should still be on the show. But that’s just me. I’m biased. So proud of you. Keep kicking ass, Tori. You’re awesome.”

On the video, Dean summed up his message by simply writing in bold type, “Robbed.”

Of course, Dean isn’t the only one who was blindsided by the Misspelling host’s elimination. In fact, Tori spoke out against it herself, saying on her most recent podcast episode, “I really didn’t have a gut instinct that we would be voted off.”

Still, Tori recognized she was among fierce competition. After all, her fellow dancers on this season of Dancing With the Stars included Olympic athletes Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher as well as other professional athletes like Dwight Howard and Danny Amendola. 

“Listen, I’m a realist,” Tori added on her podcast. “I came into this with no dance experience, and I didn't expect to win the Mirror Ball.”

Keep reading for more details on this year’s DWTS competitors.

The inspriation behind Inventing Anna will trade her ankle bracelet for dancing shoes alongside partner Ezra Sosa. 

The Olympic rugby player is ready to ruck up the dance floor with pro Alan Bersten. 

The Disney Channel star will try to dance her way to the top with partner Brandon Armstrong. 

The model and her partner Gleb Savchenko are ready to strut along the ballroom. 

The Dark Knight star is partnered with Britt Stewart. 

All that matters for this Family Matters alum and partner Emma Slater is taking home the mirrorball trophy. 

The Bachelor alum has found his rose between thorns in partner Jenna Johnson. 

The alum of 90210 is oh so ready to dance alongside Pasha Pashkov. 

The NFL pro and partner Witney Carson are sure to score a touchdown on the dance floor. 

The NBA star is sure to stand head and shoulders above the competitoin with partner & Daniella Karagach. 

The Olympian has his sights set on another medal—or should we say mirrorball trophy—with partner Rylee Arnold. 

The Traitors alum is sure to weed out the competition with partner Val Chmerkovskiy. 

The Bachelorette star and partner Sasha Farber will be in full bloom in the ballroom.