While some Dancing With the Stars viewers might be shocked to see Andy Richter survive another week, pro Emma Slater believes he’s earned his place in the competition.
“Obviously, you get people that comment, ‘You know, this is a dance competition,’ but it is actually so much more than that,” Slater, 36, exclusively told Us Weekly after the Tuesday, October 7, episode of the ballroom dance series. “It is an entertainment show, and it is for people that have not done this before, and so it’s beautiful to watch them get a moment in the spotlight and to grow and to see improvement. He, every bit, deserves his place here.”
Slater and Richter, 58, were saved from another elimination through fan votes on Disney Night after earning 18 out of 30 points from the judges for their Ratatouille-inspired Viennese waltz. Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko were ultimately sent home, which Slater told Us she “did not expect.”
Richter, meanwhile, said he’s “excited” and “relieved” to be safe for another week. “There’s always sadness,” he admitted. “It always stinks that somebody has to go home, but I’m glad to be staying. I was expecting to hear our names, so I’m relieved.”
DWTS’ Emma Slater Debunks Rumor About Her Pairing With Older Contestants
One week before the shocking Disney Night results, fans were taken by surprise when Lauren Jauregui and Brandon Armstrong were voted off during TikTok Night. Though he may not be receiving the highest scores, Richter is proud he’s setting an example that — in the words of judge Derek Hough — anyone can dance.
“That’s a wonderful thing,” Richter told Us on Tuesday. “I didn’t set out to do that for other people. I just was doing it for me. I said yes to this because I knew it would be good for me, and then I went instantly into dreading it and thinking, ‘Oh, no, what have I done?’ And then when I started, I just really applied myself and submitted to Emma’s demands to make a TikTok every 10 minutes. And it’s worked out so great.”
Richter reiterated that he’s “just so happy to be here,” gushing that the DWTS experience has “really has changed my [life].”
“I didn’t even realize how sort of inert I had become,” he continued. “I don’t know if I’m going to be a big ballroom dancer after this, but I certainly am going to keep challenging myself to try new things.”
Andy Richter Reveals His Biggest Fears and Insecurities About ‘DWTS’
Last month, the comedian revealed in an interview with Conan O’Brien that he came close to rejecting the DWTS offer.
“In April, I got an email about doing it. I was home at the time. It was in the morning,” he explained. “Honest to God, my first reaction was, ‘Turn it down and don’t tell anyone.’ Don’t let anyone know that I’ve been asked. Because they’d be like, ‘Why wouldn’t you do it?’ It’s because crabby baby does not want to be pushed out of his comfort zone, basically, is the long and short of it.”
Richter admitted to “having stress dreams” before finally meeting Slater. He was also “terrified” about not being able to remember any choreography.
Despite his fears, Richter is adapting to the challenge. “I kind of feel like I’m remaining very hopeful that I’ll stick around for a little bit,” he said, joking about “relying on Emma’s online presence” to get votes. “I think I’ll stick around because I do kind of feel like it is a TV show and the question isn’t like, ‘Who is the dancer?’ It’s like, ‘Who do you want to see in the TV show?’”
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
Prove your DWTS fandom with Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv! Compete against other fans and Us editors in the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league this season to predict which pairs will make it to the finale for season 34. Get access to exclusive content, stats and a chance to win prizes. Join the league for free today!
