‘Dancing With the Stars’ Cast Reacts to Selma Blair’s Early Exit, Detail Emotional Response in the Ballroom

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

'Dancing With the Stars' Cast Reacts to Selma Blair's Early Exit, Detail Emotional Response in the Ballroom

A ballroom shocker. Selma Blair's early exit from Dancing With the Stars left the cast stunned. Emma Slater was among the first to hug the 50-year-old actress when Blair announced on the Monday, October 17, episode of the Disney+ show that she had to leave due to health concerns. "We found out today, and so it was super emotional," Slater, 33, told Us Weekly after the live show. "What really got me was hearing Selma talk about her journey and how hard it was for her to pull out and … just how powerful she is. She really is a light to everybody." [sendtonews type="float" key="lUZC7qNUd1-2830405-14453"] Blair has struggled with multiple sclerosis since 2017. During Monday's episode of DWTS, she explained that her doctors had been monitoring her throughout the competition and recent tests found that her body was under significant stress. “It just all adds up to … I can’t go on with the competition,” she said, before adding that she wanted to have “one last gentle dance” with partner Sasha Farber. Derek Hough praised the Cruel Intentions actress for her brief journey on the series. "She was the story of Dancing With the Stars season 31, and she still is," the judge, 37, told Us on Monday. "What she achieved in the show was nothing less than a miracle and just so sensational." Hough said Blair's attitude made her a joy to be around, both on and off camera. "For me, that means a lot to me, the way people treat others," the Nashville alum told Us. "She's a class act, and this was one of the most beautiful send-offs of Dancing With the Stars history, to see that raw emotion." The longtime DWTS personality celebrated Blair's "gorgeous" waltz and lamented how she showed such promise — and even declared that he will make every effort to make sure Blair returns for the season 31 finale. "She definitely had a lot more left, for sure, if she was able to. But I think this is the right choice, without a doubt, and I have no doubt that we haven't seen the last of her," Hough teased. "I saw her and I was like, 'Listen, we're doing something. We're doing something in the finale. Don't care. We're gonna do something cool. I got already got some choreography playing on the table and we're gonna do some fun stuff.' I was already pitching her ideas.” The six-time mirrorball champ added that he wanted "to give her something to look forward to" amid the sadness of her untimely exit. Dancing With the Stars airs on Disney+ Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll down to see how Blair's DWTS costars reacted to her departure right after Monday's episode:

Credit: Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock ; Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Wayne Brady and Witney Carson

"It was shock — pure, unadulterated shock. I heard nothing about it going into it," Brady told Us. "She lights up this competition and, you know, when I said earlier that this is a very human show on this side, that Selma truly is the light that we've all gravitated to and we're all close now, so … it's a loss.”

Carson added, "It won't be the same without her, that's for sure. She will be so, so missed."

Credit: Lou Rocco/ABC

Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki

"I think [we] were sobbing," Iwasaki told Us. "I mean, she has just been the absolute sweetest person [with] the kindest heart. Always positive, always smiling, like, just a walking inspiration, like Vinny had said earlier, and it was just so heartbreaking to see her go, but it was the most beautiful way it could have ever, you know, happened.”

The Jersey Shore star explained that while he respects Blair's decision, the cast is "selfishly upset because of how amazing it is to be around her. But your body comes first."

Credit: Jamie Schramm/Country Music Association Inc./Shutterstock

Emma Slater

"She has just this extremely positive energy, and she's got time for everyone. So, seeing her leave at such a kind of early point of the competition is sad, but it's 100 percent the right thing to do," Slater said.

"She just superseded all kind of expectations," the dancer added. "She got [a] 40 from the judges, a standing ovation, and she's an absolute goddess. And I think her and Sasha together are the perfect team. Like … he did so well with her. We're all friends for life, for sure."

Credit: Craig Sjodin/ABC

Gabby Windey

"I think it was really hard to hear," the Bachelorette alum explained to Us. "Selma is so loved amongst all of us. She's an amazing dancer. She's such a light … but she has to put herself and her body first. I think it pulled at all of our heartstrings and she'll be so missed.”

Credit: Amiee Stubbs/imageSPACE/Shutterstock ; Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten

"Selma's our friend, so I think everyone sees it on TV and it's a different perspective for us," Decker explained to Us. "She's become our friend. ... We know what it's been like, and we know her heart, and she is a light in this cast. And so for us, it was sad because we love her so much and we're just sad that this was the end of her journey. But man, she freaking went for it and she's been a huge inspiration for us tonight."

Bersten agreed, adding, "It's so much more than just dancing. She's coming out here, going through so much, yet she's exuding positivity and inspiring. Every single person who watches her is left in awe and just inspired, including us. I watch her and I just see the most powerful woman."

He added, "It absolutely puts things into perspective. And I know that her son is so proud of her."

Credit: Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Jordin Sparks

"I had no idea that that was happening. I just was like, 'Wait, what?' I'm grateful that nobody's technically going home, but still Selma," the American Idol alum told Us after the show. 

"I adore Selma and her energy and the way she is and just everything that she pushes through, and she just is like, 'Well, I'm gonna do it.' It's just so inspiring," she continued. "I'm really sad that she's not gonna be around, but I'm sure she'll be in the audience, like, cheering us on. So, I'm grateful for that." 

Sparks also recalled being "so excited" about her first meeting with Blair when the cast was announced in September. "I was so excited to meet her. Legally Blonde was my movie," she said. "I walked up to her about to be like, 'Hi,' and she was like, 'Oh, my God, I love you!' I just was not expecting that reaction and we just bonded from there."  

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Joseph Baena

"It just added on to the emotional night and she's such a light in this competition," the bodybuilder explained to Us. "She shines so much light on everything. And she's such a warm heart, so it's so sad to see her go. It was very emotional for everyone to see her go because everyone loves hanging out with her."

Credit: Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock

Shangela

"Selma represents strength, she represents courage. She represents kindness, talent and beauty," the drag queen told Us. "Just her presence is going to be missed here in this ballroom. I know I'm gonna miss her. She's my new homegirl, but I told her, 'You're stuck with me now, girl.'"