Louis van Amstel is setting the file straight on whether or not he body-shamed former Dancing With the Stars costar Lacey Schwimmer.
“I by no means even spoke about Lacey or Cheryl [Burke] or their weight,” van Amstel, 50, claimed through an Instagram video shared on Tuesday, October 31. “I actually really feel dangerous for them that they have been made to really feel so dangerous by that [TV Guide] journalism [piece], however I’m right here to let you know on the well being of my sons, my household, I by no means mentioned something about their weight.”
The Dutch-American dancer — who final appeared on DWTS for season 31 in 2022 — gushed, “I really like Cheryl Burke.” Whereas van Amstel confessed that he “by no means actually linked” with Schwimmer, 35, he insisted, “I’d by no means disgrace her on her physique.”
Schwimmer, who appeared on DWTS on and off from seasons 7 via 13, made headlines on Monday, October 30, when she recalled a 2008 TV Information interview by which van Amstel and Maksim Chmerkovskiy slammed each her and Burke, 39, for his or her our bodies.
“Once I’m 19 years outdated and I’m excited to do that model new enterprise, and be celebrated for one thing I’ve labored my complete life doing, to listen to individuals I’ve appeared as much as … it actually broke my spirit,” she shared throughout the episode of Burke’s “Intercourse, Lies, and Spray Tans” podcast. “Oh, my God, it ruined me. I keep in mind crying and crying and crying.”
Chmerkovskiy, 43, revealed throughout the 2008 interview, “Once I first noticed these girls this season, I mentioned, ‘Guys, you realize the digicam provides 10 kilos. It’s important to do one thing about this.’”
Van Amstel, for his half, advised the outlet, “[People] have a look at this present to be impressed and suppose, ‘If I simply work arduous sufficient, I can seem like that. In the event that they watch somebody who’s dancing her butt off and he or she’s nonetheless heavy, they are often discouraged. It’s important to take that accountability.”
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On Tuesday, van Amstel claimed that the 2008 quotes have been taken out of context. He alleged in his video that the TV Information author “already apologized” to him prior to now as a result of “she twisted my phrases” again then.
Though he was adamant that he by no means commented on Schwimmer or Burke’s our bodies whereas working collectively, van Amstel mentioned he was sorry — particularly to Schwimmer — for being concerned in one thing that induced her ache.
“I apologize to you that you just have been made to really feel dangerous by that piece, it was simply not ever coming from my mouth,” van Amstel mentioned to Schwimmer on digicam. “I respect you as a dancer and also you have been nice on Dancing With the Stars. I actually don’t know what else to say. I by no means mentioned these phrases. If I did, I’d’ve owned as much as it.”
Louis Van Amstel and Lacey Schwimmer, 2010. Chelsea Lauren/WireImage/Getty Photographs
He added that he would proceed to respect any and all dancers’ our bodies and emotions shifting ahead. “And right here’s to anybody that feels shamed by their physique, I’m the No. 1 particular person that may get up for you,” he mentioned. “That is what I base my complete whole firm on, helps others, making others really feel higher about themselves.”
The previous actuality star concluded: “Once more, final time, and I’m by no means going to speak about it ever once more, I by no means mentioned something about Lacey or Cheryl’s weight. Thanks.”
Schwimmer, in the meantime, defined on Burke’s podcast that she doesn’t fault Chmerkovskiy or van Amstel for the 2008 remarks. As an alternative, she pointed to DWTS’ tradition as the explanation she was insecure about her form.
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“In a bizarre approach, I do really feel, and that is my private opinion, that Dancing With the Stars breeds physique picture points for ladies,” she advised Burke. “We’re compelled to be put in bras and panties with a pair items of fringe on the butt. And simply, you’re standing subsequent to those women who’re naturally skinny and it’s important to take excessive measures.”
Schwimmer, who was 19 years outdated when she first joined DWTS, revealed that she “abused” weight loss supplements whereas on the collection. “I do discover, and listen to me out once more, that is my private opinion, the thinner you might be, the extra consideration you find yourself getting on that present,” she mentioned.
That perspective resulted in Schwimmer dropping from a dimension 6 to a dimension 2. When she weighed 115 kilos, she claimed she began to look in photoshoots and particular numbers for DWTS, however not beforehand.
Us Weekly beforehand reached out to ABC for remark.
