In just a few weeks, Stephen Nedoroscik has flipped the script from gymnastics’ Clark Kent to full-blown Hercules on Dancing with the Stars! On the October 22 episode, the pommel horse pro teamed up with his partner, Rylee Arnold, to bring Hercules and Meg to life from that classic 1997 animated movie. Their Charleston to “A Star Is Born” was pure magic, lighting up the stage and earning them a solid 24 out of 30, which means they’re safe from elimination this week!
And the judges’ thoughts? Well, Carrie Ann Inaba thought Stephen danced like a hero but noticed a few timing slips, while Derek Hough loved the athletic vibe but said the same about timing. Bruno Tonioli was on the same page as other judges and while he was all about the energy, he also pointed out that Stephen was racing ahead a bit. And to top it all off, some fans caught those timing issues but Stephen’s ride-or-die supporters jumped right in to defend him!
Stephen Nedoroscik’s Disney magic
The official Dancing with the Stars Instagram account lit up the feed with some epic stills of Stephen and Rylee’s dazzling performance from Disney Night. They vibed together, channeling the magic of Hercules and Meg, and captioned the post, “Is that Hercules and Meg?! Stephen and Rylee came shining through with their #DisneyNight Charleston! 🤩 #DWTS.”
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Stephen kicked off the performance standing on a platform, and as the music started, Rylee joined him for an awesome descent. They hit the center stage and brought the energy with a fun Charleston, filled with twists and turns, while the crowd cheered them on like crazy! And how did they finish? Stephen jumped onto the judges’ table, striking a pose with confetti flying everywhere like it was a party!
As for the fans, opinions were mixed! Some chimed in, pointing out the duo’s “off-beat” moments. But hold on a second—Stephen’s got a strong fan base backing him up! One enthusiastic supporter jumped in to defend the pair, declaring, “They freaking killed ittt I don’t care what the judges say but I have to say they are the best team.” And honestly, they truly are!
Stephen and Rylee’s past performances have garnered some incredible fan reactions, especially during dedication night. Stephen wowed everyone with his unique use of a pommel horse, dedicating his dance to the men’s gymnastics team and scoring an impressive 33 out of 40! It’s clear that this duo has the talent and the heart to keep their supporters rooting for them! And this is just the tip of the iceberg of the support that Stephen received!
Fans rally around the “Clark Kent” of gymnastics
Before their big Disney night, Rylee Arnold, Stephen Nedoroscik’s dance partner, couldn’t contain her excitement on Instagram, sharing a fun story with the gymnast. She squealed, “Guys! It’s Disney Week, which I am so happy about!” Sporting Mickey ears, Nedoroscik matched Arnold’s vibe in adorable Minnie Mouse headgear.
She also teased fans with a sneak peek of Stephen getting his first spray tan, and everyone was buzzing with anticipation. But when it was showtime, the performance had a few timing hiccups. One fan perfectly summed it up, saying, “His rehearsals were so good!! I’m sad the timing was off, he better not be too hard on himself though! They did GREAT!”
Another fan jumped in, saying, “I agree he was ahead of music but that song is really fast and for not a trained dancer he still did a great job!” Seriously, who could argue with that? Stephen might not be a trained dancer but he is a total beast, known as the pommel horse guy who helped Team USA break that 16-year medal drought at the Olympics while snagging his own bronze.
After Stephen’s jaw-dropping pommel horse performance, where he dramatically whipped off his glasses like a true superhero, fans went wild, giving him the nickname “Clark Kent.” But it seems like he’s racking up a whole new set of nicknames after his Disney night! One fan playfully suggested, “he might be a Greek god,” but others weren’t having it. Another chimed in, “he might be Hercules!” With that epic character he channeled on Dancing with the Stars, Stephen’s not just a gymnast anymore; he’s becoming a nickname legend!
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Are the judges being too harsh on Stephen's performance, or is fan loyalty clouding judgment?