Protesters rushed the stage after Ryan Lochte’s first performance on “Dancing with the Stars,” interrupting the live show Monday evening. The incident occurred as Lochte was receiving one of the judge’s critique of his dance routine.
ABC News reported that two men got on the ballroom dance floor and at least four other people yelled anti-Lochte chants.
Although the show was live, the actual incident was not shown on camera by ABC.
Throughout the brief incident, the camera stayed focused on judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who yelled “Excuse me!” multiple times as clamor rose in the audience and onstage.
“Off! Off!” she yelled, gesturing for the intruders to get off stage.
The network went to a commercial break, but the camera briefly showed Lochte and his dancing partner, Cheryl Burke, as both appeared flustered and surprised.
“Dancing with the Stars” host Tom Bergeron addressed the interruption after the commercial break.
“We had to go to break because we had a little incident,” he said, although he didn’t clarify any further. Bergeron thanked the security team on the show.
He also asked Lochte how he was doing after the interruption.
“So many feelings are going through my head right now,” said the Olympic swimmer. “I’m a little hurt.”
He told CNN afterward that he was saddened by what happened during the show.
“You know, at that moment, I was really heartbroken. My heart just sunk. It felt like somebody just ripped it out.”
“I had to realize that I came out here and did something I did not know how to do … I gave it my all. I’m glad I did it.”
His dancing partner, Burke said she was “completely shocked” but “beyond” proud of him.
CNN has reached out to ABC and “Dancing with the Stars” for comment.
Lochte joined season 23 of “Dancing With The Stars” after a spate of negative publicity that the 32-year-old received for admitting he “over-exaggerated” claims that he and fellow swimmers were robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro
CNN crews captured one of the suspects outside of the event being led away in handcuffs.
