Dean McDermott continues to have Tori Spelling’s back.
After the Beverly Hills, 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.
Anna Delvey
The inspriation behind Inventing Anna traded her ankle bracelet for dancing shoes alongside partner Ezra Sosa. However, the fake heiress was eliminated during the season's Sept. 24 episode, with her saying that she learned "nothing" in her now-infamous, one-word farewell speech.
Ilona Maher
The Olympic rugby player was ready to ruck up the dance floor with pro Alan Bersten, finishing as the runner-up.
Chandler Kinney
The Disney Channel star tried to dance her way to the top with partner Brandon Armstrong and ultimately placed third.
Brooks Nader
The model and her partner Gleb Savchenko were ready to strut along the ballroom, but took their final bow on Oct. 15.
Reginald VelJohnson
All that mattered for the Family Matters alum and partner Emma Slater was taking home the Mirrorball Trophy. However, their journey was cut short during the second week of competition on Oct. 8.
Eric Roberts
The Dark Knight star was partnered with Britt Stewart. They were eliminated in the second week alongside Reginald and Emma.
Joey Graziadei
The Bachelor alum has found his rose between thorns in partner Jenna Johnson, winning season 33.
Tori Spelling
The alum of Beverly Hills, 90210 was oh so ready to dance alongside Pasha Pashkov. Unfortunately, the two last only one week and was cut from competition in a double elimination alongside Anna and Ezra.
Danny Amendola
The NFL pro and partner Witney Carson sure scored a touchdown on the dance floor, placing fifth in the finale.
Dwight Howard
The NBA star hoped to stand head and shoulders above the competition with partner Daniella Karagach, but was eliminated from the competition on Nov. 12.
Stephen Nedoroscik
The Olympian had his sights set on another medal—or should we say, Mirrorball Trophy—with partner Rylee Arnold, placing fourth in the Nov. 26 finale.
Phaedra Parks
The Traitors alum was sure to weed out the competition with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, but ended up getting cut from the lineup Oct. 22.
Jenn Tran
Though Bachelorette star and partner Sasha Farber were full bloom in the ballroom, they were eliminated from the competition on Oct. 29.