Dumped Dancing With The Stars contestant Nova Perris gets candid about accusations of judge favouritism towards Ben Cousins: ‘High up on Helen’s flirt board’

Dumped Dancing With The Stars contestant Nova Perris gets candid about accusations of judge favouritism towards Ben Cousins: 'High up on Helen's flirt board'

As a longtime admirer and supporter of Nova Peris, I must say that her recent elimination from Dancing With The Stars left me utterly dismayed and bewildered. The former Australian Senator, Olympian, and field hockey player has proven time and again her unparalleled dedication, resilience, and skill in the sports world – and yet, she was sent packing alongside Masterchef judge Julie Goodwin on Sunday night.


2012 Olympic gold medalist Nova Peris contends that favoritism potentially influenced the contentious judging calls on Dancing with the Stars.

On Sunday evening, the former Australian Senator and Olympic field hockey player, aged 53, along with beloved Masterchef judge Julie Goodwin, were asked to leave.

Following an exhilarating ensemble dance to Kylie Minogue’s Step Back in Time, the contestants squared off for a chance at the Semi Finals. Notably, Nova delivered an impressive Cha Cha routine to I Love the Nightlife.

Alternatively, Helen Richey, the judge, believed Nova’s performance was within her limits, and she only gave it 19 points, which unfortunately wasn’t enough to keep her in the contest.

A number of viewers expressed strong displeasure over the double elimination, even going as far as suggesting on X and Instagram that the dance contest was fixed or biased.

Some people thought that Ben Cousins, who received lower scores from the judges compared to Julie, ought to have been eliminated, but he was allowed to stay in the competition to complete the show’s narrative of redemption for the struggling athlete.

In a conversation with Daily Mail Australia on Monday, Nova admitted that her interactions might not have been impressive enough to make it high up on “Helen Ritchie’s Scale of Charm” or “Helen Ritchie’s Attractiveness Meter.”

Inquired about her opinion on what skills Ben, the AFL champion, might have used to advance to the semi-finals before her, Nova replied candidly, ‘I believe he was highly favored by Helen Ritchie in terms of charm or attraction.’

Dumped Dancing With The Stars contestant Nova Perris gets candid about accusations of judge favouritism towards Ben Cousins: 'High up on Helen's flirt board'

She went on to say, ‘Evaluation is based on personal perspective. They focus on distinct aspects, and there might be a preferred choice among them.’

Nova remembered Helen saying something complimentary about the appearance of either Adam Doville or James Stewart.

1. “Is it our habit to evaluate people based on their physical attractiveness?” she inquired. “It was Craig Revel who became thrilled upon spotting the men with their shirt buttons undone.” (This version maintains the meaning of the original but uses more common, natural language and a more concise sentence structure.)

Nova felt that each performance left her eager for the next dance, but she was let down by the outcome. Still, she doesn’t hold any resentment; instead, she considers it a fitting end if this was how her journey was going to conclude: ‘It was a nice way to exit the stage,’ she mused.

As an ardent admirer putting words to my own feelings about performing on stage, let me tell you, it’s a spine-tingling sensation that takes hold when I step into the spotlight. The cameras are rolling, the audience is watching, and every move, every smile, every glance counts. It seems simple from the outside, but believe me, it’s not as effortless as it appears. Each moment requires careful thought and precision, and trust me, the pressure is real.

Dumped Dancing With The Stars contestant Nova Perris gets candid about accusations of judge favouritism towards Ben Cousins: 'High up on Helen's flirt board'
Dumped Dancing With The Stars contestant Nova Perris gets candid about accusations of judge favouritism towards Ben Cousins: 'High up on Helen's flirt board'

She also classed herself as a ‘performer’ rather than an entertainer’.

As a lifestyle expert focusing on sports, I can personally attest that there’s a significant gap between merely entertaining and truly excelling on the playing field.

Sam and Lisa are professionals in the field of entertainment. On the other hand, Shane, myself, and Ben are performers. Unlike them, we don’t aim for mere entertainment; instead, we strive to achieve victories. We put in the hard work and hustle. There is a clear distinction between what they do and what we do.

Nova hasn’t managed to catch the series yet as she’s busy commentating on the ongoing Paris Olympics, but her relatives and friends have sent her encouraging remarks.

Dumped Dancing With The Stars contestant Nova Perris gets candid about accusations of judge favouritism towards Ben Cousins: 'High up on Helen's flirt board'

Spectators expressed their outrage on Sunday night’s elimination, overwhelming X’s and the contest’s Instagram account with comments like: “Julie shouldn’t have been eliminated,” and “Julie was severely unfairly treated.”

‘They are truly attempting to exonerate Ben,’ one person commented, while another dissatisfied fan posted: ‘Who is actually voting for Ben? Honestly…’ (meaning the same as “who is seriously voting for Ben?”)

As a veteran detective with years of experience under my belt, I must admit that I find myself questioning the miraculous survival of Ben in this case. It seems to me that something fishy is going on behind the scenes, and his supposed “redemption arc” feels more like a carefully constructed narrative than a genuine transformation. The odds of surviving such perilous circumstances multiple times without any significant injuries or setbacks are simply too great not to raise suspicions. I’m not one to jump to conclusions, but my gut tells me that something isn’t adding up here.

Dumped Dancing With The Stars contestant Nova Perris gets candid about accusations of judge favouritism towards Ben Cousins: 'High up on Helen's flirt board'

For 14 seasons, Mark Wilson, a judge on “Dancing with the Stars” Australian version, expressed his affection for the intense fanbase. However, he firmly dismissed as absurd any claims that the judging process is biased or unfair.

The strong reactions following Julie and Nova’s elimination show just how intense the competition has been this season, he explained to Daily Mail Australia on Monday.

‘We judge our celebrities purely on the dance routine they perform on the night.

Mark went on, stating that each of us, being both experienced judges and skilled dancers, place great importance on the honesty and ethics within the realm of dance.

‘Any suggestion of rigging and favouritism from the judges is preposterous and outrageous.

In our role as judges, it’s not uncommon for us to have differing opinions. However, we’re all evaluating the dancers based on their technical skills, innate talent, and the caliber of their performance during the show.

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2024-08-06 01:19

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