DWTS' Michael Bolton Demands Apology From Bruno
Michael Bolton, who was eliminated on ABC's Dancing With the Stars Tuesday, wants an apology from judge Bruno Tonioli, who famously slammed the singer, 57, by telling him that he performed "the worst" jive in 11 years.
"I was disappointed with Bruno -- to me, he let everybody down," Bolton said Wednesday on ABC's Good Morning America. "My mom was there, she's 90, she flew down to see the show ... and I just didn't expect that level of disrespect from him."
VIDEO: Watch Michael Bolton bomb on the dance floor
"I think he should apologize publicly and he should be reprimanded for it," Bolton said.
After his elimination Tuesday, his partner Chelsie Hightower also told UsMagazine.com Toniolo was too "harsh."
"I don't know where it came from, I really don't," she told Us. "It was hard to hear."
She told Us it "sucks that it had to end this way. It sucks that we didn't get another week to come back because I know he could have done better."
Dancer Cheryl Burke also told Us she thought Bruno was "too mean."
PHOTOS: Who has hooked up off the dance floor?
"He didn't have anything constructive to say," she added. "Michael's been the hardest working one. He's been there 8-10 hours every night. I think he was in the studio sometimes until two in the morning! I thought Len [Goodman] was right - you can say your negativity, but back it up with something you can go home and work on.
"It's just rude when someone works so hard, and they have never danced before, and then you give them that criticism," she went on. "If he never worked and was lazy and never came into the studio, that's one thing, but the fact that someone like Michael Bolton comes here and pours his heart out and then gets treated like that, it's not a good thing."
Contestant Kyle Massey said the judges are "there to judge the dance," but they don't see all the hours the contestants put in. He added, "We know, and we can commend him for that because he worked super hard on that dance."
Tell Us What You Think
42Quit your whining and get over it Michael!! You were terrible!! You aren't the first one to get bad comments and to be booted off. I haven't heard any of the other's whining and asking for a apology. GET OVER IT and move on!
WAH, WAH, WAH. Disrespectful? Sounds like, "Don't you know who I think I am?" I have brooms that have more moves than Mr. Bolton. Move on, dude.
For crying out loud...grow up!! Whaaaa, boohoo..it's a show based on a judgement call and audience participation. Ok, give Michael a 10 because his mother was in the audience. I would have given him a 1 (one). Len is and has been much harsher than Bruno has ever been. Len said that he ALWAYS gives a positive comment in every critique...NOPE, disagree. He is only saying that now to look good in front of Bruno and the others....go away Michael...here is a hankie..
Chelsie meet mirror. That degrading routine you came up with set up Bruno's vicious attack. You need to take some serious choreography lessons. How did you possibly think having a 57 year old man crawl out of a dog house would be entertaining. You owe Michael an apology for that total mess. Bruno is a total jerk, he gets pleasure out of being nasty and mean, wish he would go to Fox, did he think saying that was a threat? CYA, no loss to DWTS if he left.
I think Bruno owes Micheal an apology. It's one thing to critique and judge but to make fun of someone on national television and belittle and embarrass them I for one dont agree with. I am seriously not going to watch DWTS anymore. I watch the show for entertainment not for mental abuse. Bruno has been extremely vocal about lots of things lately including his sexual inuendos and I dont appreciate it. He would probably run to his dressing room and cry if someone talked to him in the manner he talked to Bolton.
Has Bolton seen the show before?
Bolton should stick to singing... he IS NOT a dancer!! Len has been known to be pretty "honest" with his comments and didn't get in trouble! Suck it up Bolton... You are acting pretty juvenile. Bruno was doing his job.
i think bruno was completely out of line. especcailly with his comment that rin tin tin could have done it better. not a funny joke bruno. HEY BRUNO, TRY SINGING "WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN" AND SEE IF YOU CAN DO THAT...YOU SHOULD PUBLICLY APOLOGISE FOR YOUR TREATMENT OF A HUGE CELEBRITY WHEN YOUR A NOBODY...
There was a lot worse on that show than that
Bruno is my favorite judge. He's normally the most enthusiastic but nicest judge out of the 3. I didn't see the episode, maybe Bruno just had a bad day.
Don't be a pu$$y, Bolton. That's what Bruno was hired to do.
I always liked Bruno. No more. I can't believe he could be so disrespectable to anyone. He certainly should aplogize to Mr. Bolten. Come on a 3!!!!
I think it was fine critizing Michael Bolten. He could have shown more respect. I don't remember anyone getting a score of three. Bruno be a man!
Seems to me that DWTS judges forget that celebrity guest want the same treatment the judges would want to be respected for themselves. If Bruno can blast a true celebrity like MB like he did, I can see a future where not many other celebs would want to put themselves in such a unflattering position. And far as the worst dance I think not. I don't think any dance couple has ever been given a 3 for a score. And that includes Penn Gillet, Billy Ray, The Woz,Cloris Leachmen or Kate G. None will be remembered for their dancing skills I think. Bad Bruno! I think Bruno should aplogize to Michael, DWTS and to the public in general for his "over top" and unwarranted dress down of MB. But that's me.
Bruno, this is a reality show, reality is if the stars don't participate then your not needed. I wonder how many stars won't try it because of your embarrassing rampage on Michael Bolton. Thank you Michael for trying something that you never have done before. Brono, please try singing one of Michael Bolton songs, let the people of the music industry judge you. Bet they would be kinder.
I agree that Michael Bolton probably would never be much of a dancer but he's by far not the worst they have had on the show. Bruno was uncharacteristically brutal and it did not become him. Shame on you Bruno - I used to like you.
he got judged on his horrible dancing- if you can't take the heat - don't go in the water..............
I agree! Bruno was completely out of line. For Len to even say he was out of line is HUGE! It was only the 2nd week and to not even offer something constructive. Please. They are not dancers.....well, some in the past have been, but I won't go there. His 90 year old mother was in the audience! How sad.
I'm not sure whether Mr. Bolton deserves an apology, but if this were a contest where the contestants were vying for a big cash prize, then Bruno's comments might have been acceptable. However, it's NOT that kind of contest, so Bruno is the one who needs to get over HIMself.
Len was correct that some dances are better for some people than others. I looked forward to seeing Michael do the Waltz. That is a sexy dance & Michael is a sexy man! Bruno was mean, not constructive. He needs to man up & apologize!