By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Charity Lawson Reflects on Her Challenging Experience on Dancing with the Stars
Charity Lawson recently opened up about the difficulties she faced as a contestant on last year's "Dancing with the Stars." In a candid conversation on the "Sex, Lies and Spray Tans" podcast, hosted by former "DWTS" professional Cheryl Burke, Lawson shared the mental and emotional challenges she endured during her time on the popular dance competition show.
Lawson first gained national attention by finishing fourth on Season 27 of "The Bachelor" with Zach Shallcross. Her journey continued when she was cast as the lead on "The Bachelorette," making her one of the few women of color to hold that role. However, her time on "Dancing with the Stars" presented new and unexpected challenges.
As a child and family therapist, Lawson was particularly attuned to the importance of mental health support. She expressed her surprise and concern over the absence of an on set therapist during the production of "Dancing with the Stars." “Honestly, I’m very surprised because quite literally, while ‘Dancing with the Stars’ was great, I literally went through hell and back with my mental health on that show,” Lawson said.
Burke, who had firsthand experience with the pressures of the show, was shocked to learn about the extent of online bullying Lawson faced. Competing with dance pro Artem Chigvintsev, Lawson ultimately finished the season in fourth place. Despite their success on the dance floor, Lawson was subjected to relentless online harassment and bullying.
Burke expressed her disbelief at the hostility Lawson encountered, but Lawson was less surprised. “Is it shocking? I don’t know if it’s shocking. I think to a certain degree it was expected,” she responded. As a prominent woman of color in the public eye, Lawson had anticipated some level of racism and negativity, but the reality was more intense than she had imagined.
Reflecting on her experiences, Lawson shared that she believed her previous reality TV experiences had prepared her for "Dancing with the Stars." However, she found the environment and the scrutiny to be far more challenging. “I was getting death threats for existing,” Lawson revealed, highlighting the extreme and unwarranted hate she received.
Lawson became emotional as she explained why she chose to speak out about her experiences. “I have to go through this life as a Black woman and being on a reality TV show,” she said. “It’s like the same things are just not protected.” Her words underscore the unique challenges faced by Black women in the entertainment industry, where they often lack the same protections and support as their peers.
Throughout her time on "Dancing with the Stars," Lawson's resilience was tested. Despite the adversities, she pushed through, demonstrating remarkable strength and determination. Her candid reflections shed light on the intense pressures and mental health challenges faced by reality TV contestants, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.
Lawson's openness about her struggles has sparked important conversations about the need for better mental health support in reality TV. Her story serves as a reminder of the human side of these shows, where participants are often subjected to extreme stress and scrutiny. By speaking out, Lawson hopes to pave the way for more comprehensive mental health care and support for future contestants.
As Charity Lawson continues to navigate her career and personal life, her experiences on "Dancing with the Stars" remain a testament to her resilience and strength. Her journey highlights the importance of mental health awareness and the need for systemic changes to protect the well being of reality TV participants.
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