UPDATE: Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer has expressed her frustration over a score she deemed “harsh” from the judges following her performance during the show’s Icons Week on October 25, 2023. Hauer and her celebrity partner Harry Aikines-Aryeetey delivered an energetic Argentine Tango to Usher’s hit “Caught Up,” earning a total of 30 points.
The performance, which aimed to honor iconic music artists, sparked a heated debate among the judging panel. While judges Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas offered critical feedback, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke praised the routine, leading to confusion and disappointment from Hauer. Viewers noted her puzzled reaction as she questioned the judges’ comments, saying, “I thought it was Icons Week, right? Or did I miss it?”
Hauer’s candid remarks caught the attention of fans as she addressed the mixed reviews during an interview on the Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two, aired on October 31, 2023. Host Fleur East quickly brought up the contrasting opinions from the judges, stating, “This performance really split the judges, which really set a rollercoaster of emotions for you both.”
When asked if she was avoiding the Argentine Tango for another 13 years, Hauer humorously responded, “Probably. You know what, I loved it but it’s just a shame sometimes.” She emphasized her commitment to the performance style, adding, “If you want me to do an Argentine Tango classical then give me the music and I’ll do it. I got the assignment and that was the assignment.”
In a light-hearted moment, Hauer remarked, “But that was the assignment,” eliciting laughter from the audience. She concluded her thoughts by acknowledging the tough job judges have, stating, “You know what, the judges have a really hard job on their hands, so sometimes they are going to like it and sometimes they’re not, but I just wish they liked it. That is all.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to television on Saturday at 6:55 PM on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with fans eagerly awaiting how Hauer and Aikines-Aryeetey will bounce back from this controversy. Make sure to tune in for more thrilling performances and to see if the judges’ opinions shift in the coming weeks.
