Dancing With The Stars Australia faced backlash after the shocking double elimination of fan-favourites Julie Goodwin and Nova Peris, prompting accusations of rigging and favoritism from disappointed viewers. Despite Julie impressing the judges with a strong Foxtrot, scoring 27 points, both she and Nova, who scored 19 points for her Cha Cha, were sent home without a dance-off. Fans voiced their frustrations on social media, questioning why lower-scoring contestant Ben Cousins remains in the competition, leading to claims that the voting system favors popularity over talent. Judge Helen Richey defended the integrity of the judging process amidst these allegations, asserting that judges have no influence over viewer votes. The show continues to air weekly, with contestants vying for the coveted glittering mirror ball trophy. Notable performances of the evening included Samantha Jade and Lisa McCune, both receiving top scores of 39.