Kim Kardashian Reveals ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Still Haunts Her and Wants Family Rematch

Kim Kardashian has spent a significant part of her adult life in front of the cameras, from reality television to fashion campaigns, and now in her current role in ‘All’s Fair’. While she is accustomed to the spotlight, there is one chapter of her career that she still struggles to revisit.

That chapter is her 2008 appearance on ‘Dancing With the Stars’. She participated in Season 7, which premiered on September 22, 2008, on ABC, alongside a cast that included Cloris Leachman, Susan Lucci, Toni Braxton, and Cody Linley.

Kardashian was partnered with professional dancer Mark Ballas, a two-time Mirrorball champion. Their journey was brief: they scored 19 for a foxtrot, 18 for a mambo to Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back,” and 17 for a rumba, averaging 18 out of 30. They were the third couple eliminated, finishing in 11th place on September 30, 2008.

Now, nearly two decades later, Kardashian is open about the lasting impact of that experience. During an appearance on the Thursday, October 15, episode of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, the 45-year-old shared that she is still traumatized by her time on the show. She admitted to crying in her trailer every night and hoping to be eliminated.

She explained that she was extremely shy about dancing in front of an audience at that time. She struggled to let go and engage in the performances, and she has not danced since. The experience, she noted, has haunted her throughout her life.

When Kimmel showed a clip of her dancing with Ballas, Kardashian cringed and expressed that she couldn’t bear to watch it. The discussion also included a light-hearted comparison to Guillermo Rodriguez, who lasted longer on the show than she did, adding humor to the segment.

Kim Kardashian revelou no Jimmy Kimmel Live! que chorava no trailer durante as gravações de Dancing with the Stars e torcia para ser eliminada da competição. Ela contou que era muito tímida para dançar e que a experiência a traumatizou. Desde então, evita dançar até mesmo em casamentos e outras festas. “Eu era muito tímida e nunca consegui me soltar. Nunca mais dancei desde então. Fiquei traumatizada.” https://t.co/8KWQWYg0g

— Kardashian Brasil (@portalkardashbr) October 16, 2026

Despite her traumatic experience, Kardashian had an unexpected idea. She mentioned that she once asked her sisters what it would be like to compete in an entire season of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ as the Kardashian-Jenner family. According to Kardashian, they all embraced the idea and agreed, although she is uncertain if the show would ever consider it.

Kimmel called it a brilliant concept and suggested the family would definitely participate. Kardashian stated that she is unsure if the show brings back former contestants, but she would be open to returning if her entire family was involved. This condition is crucial, as sharing the experience with her sisters seems to be the only way she would ever step back into the ballroom.

Reports also indicated that watching old clips with her family recently felt somewhat empowering for her. This marks a small shift for someone who has avoided the footage for years.

This isn’t the first time Kardashian has made light of her dancing skills. In 2023, she danced with a friend at her sister Khloé’s 40th birthday party and joked on Instagram that a few drinks might have helped her perform better on the show. At that time, she reiterated her trauma, mentioning her early elimination and her vow to never dance again.

Her aversion to dancing has become a recurring joke over the years. She once froze at a Prince concert at Madison Square Garden when he invited her onstage, only to be told to leave for not dancing. Later, she shared on social media that she was so nervous she froze when he touched her, but she was given another chance to redeem herself later in the show.

Fellow ‘DWTS’ alum Milo Manheim also mentioned that Kardashian once told him the experience was the worst, citing injuries and a sense of looking foolish. These comments reflect her consistent perspective on the show for nearly 20 years.

A family season would undoubtedly attract significant viewership, playing on the Kardashian-Jenners’ extensive history in reality television. For now, however, the idea remains just a proposal. Neither the show nor the family has announced any plans.

Still, the blend of self-deprecating humor and genuine nerves makes her story relatable. If a rematch ever occurs, fans can expect Kardashian to bring her sisters along for moral support.

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