Conner Leavitt Admits He Was ‘Embarrassed’ by Early “Dancing with the Stars” Elimination

In the recent premiere of the 35th season of “Dancing with the Stars,” reality television personality Conner Leavitt faced an early exit from the competition. Alongside his professional partner, Adele Zaikman, he became the first contestant to be eliminated, a departure that has prompted reflections on his brief tenure in the spotlight.

Conner, recognised as the husband of Whitney Leavitt, one of the stars of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” took to TikTok shortly after the premiere on 15 September to share his feelings about the experience. He candidly expressed his disappointment at being the first to go but maintained a positive outlook on his time spent in the competition.

“Obviously, going home first was not how I wanted to end my Dancing with the Stars experience,” said Conner in his TikTok video posted on 17 September. “But I can genuinely say I had an incredible time. I loved being out there. I loved learning something completely new, and I had an incredible partner to help me along the way.”

At 32 years old, Conner acknowledged feelings of embarrassment following his elimination. He clarified that his sense of shame did not stem from the judges’ low score—a total of 12 out of 30 for his salsa performance with Zaikman—but rather from the reaction of some viewers. He felt that aspects of his past were resurfacing, being used as fodder for ridicule during his moment in the spotlight.

“I felt a little embarrassed,” he stated. “I wasn’t embarrassed because of the judges’ scores. I wasn’t embarrassed by the criticisms. I wasn’t even embarrassed that some people didn’t like the dance. I was embarrassed because I felt like people were throwing my past mistakes in my face.”

Despite grappling with these emotions, Conner emphasised that he is no longer dwelling on past challenges. “But I don’t live there anymore. My eyes are forward now. I got to be disappointed, I got to be emotional, and I am grateful that my wife was there with me through it all,” he shared.

In his TikTok message, Conner reflected on the notion of embarrassment as a testament to vulnerability and personal growth. “I actually love a quote that says, ‘Embarrassment is an under-explored emotion.’ It just proves that you put yourself out there, you were vulnerable, you tried something new that you weren’t good at, and you allowed yourself an experience to grow. So I may be going home first, but I am going home with an incredible experience,” he concluded.

The response from friends and social media followers was overwhelmingly supportive. Layla Taylor, a fellow cast member on “Mormon Wives,” hailed him as “My KINGG!!!!,” while “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer Witney Carson encouraged him with a cheerful, “Way to go Conner!!!”

Whitney Leavitt, in a heartfelt Instagram post the day following Conner’s exit, commended her husband for stepping outside of his comfort zone. With a nod to the criticism that often accompanies reality competition shows, she expressed her belief in his capabilities, saying, “People can have their opinions, but I know you. They’ve only seen a fraction of what you’re capable of. And I can’t wait for them to find out!”

As the 35th season of “Dancing with the Stars” progresses, it remains to be seen how viewers will respond to the contestants and their performances. Conner Leavitt’s journey, though cut short, showcases the emotional complexities involved in participating in such a high-pressure environment. His candid reflections and support from loved ones emphasise the significance of personal growth and resilience in the face of public scrutiny.