Bruno Tonioli has held his post behind the judges table on Dancing With the Stars for 20 years — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“None of us take it for granted,” Tonioli, 69, exclusively shared in Us Weekly’s latest cover story about how he thinks the show has managed to stay relevant for two decades. “It is about keeping the same high standards and evolving with your public.”
Since the 2005 premiere, Tonioli captured the hearts of viewers with his famous catchphrases — “Oh, my darling” — and positive attitude. For Tonioli, his approach to judging is “a performance to a certain extent.”
“The cardinal sin in anything you do in entertainment is boredom, and I keep them on their toes,” he told Us. “They never know which way I’m going to turn, but that’s why I love it.”
‘DWTS’ Judge Bruno Tonioli Reveals Last Email He Got From Len Before Death
Through the years, Tonioli has had a front-row seat to witness all of the show’s memorable dances — and has never looked back on raising his paddle with a 10, or sometimes even lower.
“It’s so intense. I think with the circumstances, I still say I totally agree with people. If they disagree, it’s absolutely fine. That is the way we have a conversation and the moment always is what I feel and it is done,” Tonioli said of scoring routines. “I think overall, I try to be very fair and always, to me it has to reflect what I say. And I have no regret, as they say.”
While there have been several numbers that have swept Tonioli off his feet, the judge is careful about pointing to specific routines as being show-stoppers.
“I think if you pick one [dance as a favorite], it’s almost like taking credit away from what everyone else has achieved,” Tonioli explained. “I don’t think I loved every season. I couldn’t say, ‘Oh God, I hated it.’ No. Because [there are] ups and downs of [the] business, everybody really put so much work into it.”
Former ‘DWTS’ Pros Return for Touching Len Goodman Tribute
One of those ups and downs includes mourning former judge Len Goodman, with whom Tonioli helped bring the U.K. sensation Strictly Come Dancing to our screens. (After Goodman died in 2023 following a battle with prostate cancer, former pro Derek Hough took his seat at the judges table.) When the show honored Goodman with a classic Viennese Waltz, Tonioli recalled feeling “broken.”
“It was so beautifully done,” Tonioli shared. “They [were] so wonderful [with] what they did.”
While sitting beside Goodman, Tonioli recalled that he would be able to “predict exactly” what the late judge’s comments would be after routines — and the twosome would “kick each other under the table.”
“It is almost like Len and I were almost like a couple. [I’m] probably the person that knows him better than [anyone], except his wife and his son,” Tonioli explained. “We spent so much time together.”
In the years that have followed, DWTS has managed to shatter viewer records — with the latest episode garnering more than 55 million votes.
“I think it’s because the show somehow has been rediscovered,” Tonioli reflected, noting that he’s “terrible” with social media. “I know that there has been an engagement because the kids are great. This season it all came together and I think it was incredible.”
For more on DWTS, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, with new episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
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