Jordan Chiles dances like a champion, but the judges don’t see it that way

Jordan Chiles proved once again that her talent goes far beyond gymnastics. In week 8 of Dancing With the Stars, the Olympic medalist delivered a high-energy jazz routine to “River Deep – Mountain High” by Ike & Tina Turner, alongside her partner Ezra Sosa. The performance, part of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night, was a burst of charisma, precision, and stage presence. But the final score of 38 out of 40 left many viewers feeling robbed.

According to Athlon Sports, Jordan Chiles received glowing praise from the judges. Carrie Ann Inaba called her “an incredible performer with a unique rock ‘n’ roll style,” while Derek Hough dubbed her “the queen of rock and roll and the queen of the ballroom.” Yet both he and Bruno Tonioli gave her a 9, triggering a wave of criticism online. “How do you say ‘perfection’ and then give a 9 with no critique?” asked one fan on Instagram.

 

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Controversy

The backlash grew when the gymnastics posted the performance video with the caption: “Tell us we’re wrong — wasn’t that a perfect 40?” Comments poured in. “She had us locked in from start to finish!” wrote one viewer. Another added, “Jordan Chiles was robbed! That’s two weeks in a row!”

While some debated the style of the routine—one fan said it felt “more freestyle than jazz”—the general consensus was that Jordan Chiles deserved a higher score. On X (formerly Twitter), fans rallied behind her. “Jordan Chiles is my DWTS winner, I don’t care what the judges say,” one post read. Another was more direct: “JORDAN CHILES DESERVED A PERFECT SCORE, ALL 10s! WHAT THE HELL?!”

MY OH MY!

📲 text JORDAN 🔟 times to 21523 & vote online at https://t.co/1IdkAkVO8Y! pic.twitter.com/jGgJH8Gg7X

— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) November 5, 2025

Chiles didn’t let the controversy shake her

Jordan Chiles celebrated her team’s success, as Team Chicago earned a perfect 40 for their rendition of “25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago. That lifted her weekly total to 78 out of 80, placing her second overall on the leaderboard.

At 24, Jordan Chiles continues to show that her competitive spirit and ability to connect with audiences extend far beyond the Olympic stage. Her journey on Dancing With the Stars reflects the same resilience that led her to gold in Paris 2024. And while the judges may hesitate to give her a 40, for many fans, she’s already dancing like a champion.