Olympic ice dancing champion Charlie White called the “Dancing with the Stars” semifinals “contrived,” after he was eliminated Monday, for being “pitted” against longtime skating partner Meryl Davis for the last of four spots in the show’s finals.
“Honestly, to me, that felt contrived,” White told E!. “I wasn’t happy that they pitted me against Meryl like that. But I think that certainly our love triumphs over what makes for an interesting moment. I love that girl [Davis]. We have been through 17 years and won an Olympic gold medal. Even though it looked like we were up there facing off against each other, it was never the case.”
With White’s elimination, Davis advanced as one of four finalists -- with Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy, actress Candace Cameron Bure (who is married to two-time Russian Olympic hockey medalist Valeri Bure) and actor/singer James Maslow.
“Now I can 100 percent be a cheerleader for Team Meryl,” White said, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The finals are next week.
Davis and Purdy are bidding to become the fourth Olympian or Paralympian to win the contest, which is in its 18th season. Apolo Ohno (season 4), Kristi Yamaguchi (season 6) and Shawn Johnson (season 8) also won.
Getting on a plane to NYC with @SharnaBurgess !! Sad we couldn't make the final but grateful for literally everything else! What a ride!
— Charlie White (@CharlieaWhite) May 13, 2014
THANK YOU to all of the fans for your support! Getting to hear from you on twitter and Instagram was incredibly meaningful!
— Charlie White (@CharlieaWhite) May 13, 2014
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