Hilaria Baldwin has set the record straight for how she landed her “dance with the stars” gig.
In an exclusive interview with Page 6, the yoga instructor said that he hasn’t “campaigned” spots in the season 34 lineup, as co-host Julian Huff had previously claimed on the podcast.
“That’s not really true. I didn’t campaign. It wasn’t my radar, it wasn’t my radar,” Baldwin, 41, told us behind the scenes in a joint interview with professional partner Gleb Savchenko.
“A few days ago (announcement), they called me and said, ‘Do you want to do this?’ And I just had to move my whole family here.
When he guest-starred on the “Chicks in the Office” podcast earlier this month, Hough responded to Baldwin being one of the 14 celebrity contestants selected to compete in “DWTS” this season.
Co-hosts Francesca Mariano and Maria Schuch raised Hilaria “posted all these videos of her dance” in Tiktok with her husband Alec Baldwin.
“I’m no joke. It was a campaign and she won,” Huff said in response. “She was campaigning and she got on!”
When Page 6 introduced how he heard these “campaigns” claims on his podcast, Hilaria replied hilariously, “I know, I heard it too. I’ve heard a lot about me that’s not true.”
“But you were the first to hear that,” she added. “Breaking news!”
In the interview, Hilaria also spoke to an online chat from critics who have claimed to have “unfair advantages” in competition due to her previous ballroom experiences.
The entrepreneur used to compete in ballroom competitions, but it has been years since she danced professionally due to a hip injury that stopped her.
“I think it’s important to focus on how special the special people this season are. So there are really high (talents) and they have something I don’t have,” she said of the cast.
“But the most beautiful thing is that it’s not a competitive environment. It’s the warmest and most loving environment and I feel very fortunate to be part of it.”
During the premier night, Hilaria and Sabenko played the set in Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Got Loud” although covered in neon green outfits.
The duo received a total score of 14/20 from judges Derek Huff and Bruno Toniori. (Carrie Anne Inaba did not judge a Premier Night performance as she skipped the show due to illness.)
“I want to cry!” said Hilaria, who was like going back to the stage and playing 16 years after she was unable to walk for a year after breaking her hips.
“I mean, I still have pain every day so I can do it and I’ll be able to do it in Gleb… that makes my dream come true.”
Hilaria received support from several of her family and friends when she made her “DWTS” debut, including her husband Alec and his brother Stephen Baldwin.
The “DWTS” premiere also marked a special premier for Savchenko, who turned 42 on Tuesday.
“I feel so lovey– this is the best birthday party I’ve wanted,” he gushed out onto page 6 after the show was wrapped. “I’m surrounded by a family that ‘dancing with the stars’. I feel that is great. ”
“Dancing with the Stars” will return on ABC and Disney+ at 8pm ET/PT next Tuesday, with new episodes streaming on Hulu the following day.
