Julianne Hough, the vibrant co-host of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, found herself at the center of a social media firestorm following a lighthearted photo session with members of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the show’s November 4 episode. The 37-year-old performer, known for her infectious energy and past wins as a pro dancer on the series, posed across the laps of several players and their manager, a move that delighted some viewers while prompting sharp criticism from others who deemed it out of bounds, particularly given the men’s marital statuses. Hough, who has not publicly addressed the backlash, shared the clip on Instagram the next day, captioning it “Put me in, coach! West Coast, you’re up next,” in a nod to the Dodgers’ recent World Series triumph.

The episode, themed around sports with the Dodgers as special guests, featured Hough mingling with the team amid performances celebrating their 2025 championship run. In the viral video, she draped herself casually over the knees of catcher Will Smith, pitcher Tyler Glasnow, fellow hurler Blake Snell, and manager Dave Roberts, all while flashing a wide grin and striking a fun pose. The players appeared relaxed and amused, with Roberts even chuckling as cameras rolled. The segment aimed to inject some baseball flair into the ballroom competition, tying into DWTS’s tradition of celebrity crossovers—think past appearances by athletes like NFL stars or NBA legends. But what started as a seemingly harmless bit of banter quickly escalated online, with the clip amassing over 5 million views across platforms by mid-week.

Critics wasted no time piling on in Hough’s comments section and on X, where #JulianneHough trended briefly alongside #DWTS. “Welp some of these men are married so this is inappropriate…,” one Instagram user wrote, echoing a sentiment echoed by dozens more. “Crazy thing to do with a group of married men lol,” another added, while a third fumed, “Just cause you’re not married doesn’t mean you can be inappropriate with married men. This is embarrassing.” The backlash zeroed in on the optics: Smith is wed to actress Melissa Rauch, Glasnow to model Hailey Upton, Snell to longtime partner Sydney Sweeney (though unconfirmed in recent reports), and Roberts to longtime wife Tracy. Detractors argued the pose crossed a line in today’s heightened sensitivity around public interactions, especially in a family-friendly show like DWTS. “Kinda cringe,” one X post quipped, garnering thousands of likes, while another jabbed, “That’s why Ohtani doesn’t go to any of this crap,” referencing the Dodgers’ star slugger’s low-key profile.

Not all feedback landed in the negative camp, however. A vocal contingent rallied behind Hough, praising her boldness and dismissing the uproar as overblown. “As a Julianne fan….I love this…. Why is life so complicated,” one supporter commented, capturing the divide. “You did this for the rest of us! Thank you!,” another cheered, while a third lauded, “I can’t believe how many people are mad at this.” Fans pointed to Hough’s single status—following her 2022 divorce from NHL player Brooks Laich—and her history of unapologetic fun as context for the moment. Some even tied it to a separate clip shared by DWTS pro Sasha Farber, showing Hough in a bikini executing flawless dance moves poolside, which drew compliments like “Julianne girlllll. The trust you have in that bikini is amazing.” Defenders framed the photo as harmless celebrity schmoozing, akin to red-carpet antics or late-night show skits, and accused critics of projecting outdated norms onto a playful TV taping.

The Dodgers contingent seemed unfazed, with no public statements from the players or team addressing the photo. Roberts, a veteran of high-profile events, has long navigated media spotlights with grace, while the athletes—fresh off clinching the Fall Classic against the Yankees in a seven-game thriller—likely viewed it as just another perk of stardom. DWTS producers, who often curate such guest spots to boost ratings, have stayed silent, though sources close to the show told TMZ the segment was pre-planned and vetted for appropriateness. Hough, a two-time Mirrorball Trophy winner and returning host since 2023 alongside Alfonso Ribeiro, has built a career on boundary-pushing charisma, from her Broadway turns to fitness empire Kinrgy. Her personal life, including a high-profile separation from Laich after four years of marriage, has kept her in the tabloid orbit, but she’s largely sidestepped drama by focusing on empowerment anthems.

This isn’t Hough’s first brush with fan scrutiny on DWTS. Earlier this season, her wardrobe choices—like a sheer gown during Week 3’s Disney Night—drew flak for being “too revealing,” while her hosting style has sparked debates over energy levels compared to predecessor Tyra Banks. Yet supporters credit her with revitalizing the show’s vibe post-pandemic, crediting her dance expertise for sharper critiques and her relatability for drawing younger viewers. The Dodgers episode itself pulled a 0.7 rating in the 18-49 demo, up 10% from the prior week, per Nielsen, suggesting the guest stars—and Hough’s antics—delivered on buzz.

Social media’s split reactions highlight broader cultural tensions around celebrity interactions in the #MeToo era. What once passed as flirtatious fun now invites armchair judgments, especially when marriage enters the chat. Psychologists like Dr. Ramani Durvasula, speaking to People, noted, “Playful poses like this can read as empowering to some and boundary-testing to others—context is everything, but online, nuance gets lost.” Hough’s silence so far aligns with her pattern of letting actions speak; a rep for the star confirmed to E! News she’s “focused on the show and grateful for all feedback,” without diving deeper.

As DWTS barrels toward its Season 33 finale on November 25, expect more star power: rumors swirl of a Taylor Swift cameo and Olympic tie-ins. For Hough, the Dodgers dust-up could fade fast, or fuel a teachable moment on joy versus judgment. Fans on Reddit’s r/dancingwiththestars subreddit dissected it ad nauseam, with one top thread polling “Innocent Fun or Over the Line?”—60% sided with fun. Meanwhile, the players’ wives, if tuned in, haven’t chimed in; Rauch, for one, posted a supportive Dodgers meme sans mention of Hough.

Hough’s trajectory remains upward. Post-DWTS, she’s eyeing a Vegas residency blending dance and wellness, while her podcast “Elevate with Julianne Hough” hits No. 1 on iTunes charts. The backlash, if anything, underscores her knack for sparking conversation—a trait that’s kept her relevant since her 2007 DWTS debut at age 19. As one X user put it, “Julianne’s living her best life—haters gonna hate, dancers gonna dance.”

In the end, the photo op—meant to celebrate victory laps, literal and figurative—serves as a snapshot of entertainment’s tightrope: where exuberance meets expectation. Whether it cements Hough as a free spirit or cautionary tale, one thing’s clear: in the ballroom or the ballpark, she’s calling her own plays.