These celebs never got to dance beneath the mirrorball.

4 DWTS contestants who were injured before they hit the ballroom

These celebs never got to dance beneath the mirrorball.

By Brianna Zigler

September 15, 2026 6:15 p.m. ET

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Jewel and Dmitry Chaplin; Christie Brinkley. Credit:

ABC/CRAIG SJODIN

Dancing is serious business, and some *Dancing with the Stars* contestants have experienced firsthand just how dangerous it can be.

There have been plenty of injuries during *DWTS’* run, but a handful of contestants were hurt before they ever competed — forcing them to drop out before reaching the ballroom. When both Jewel and Nancy O’Dell had to drop out of season 8 before it premiered due to injuries, executive producer Conrad Green spoke to ** about what it meant.

“This is an intensely physical show,” Green explained. “It’s easy to forget that at home…. It’s also a great cautionary tale and lesson to all future celebrities. What’s important is that people don’t overdo it.”

Read on as we revisit four instances in which contestants got injured before they could perform for the judges.

Romeo and Chelsie Hightower for ‘DWTS’.

Bob D'Amico / ABC via Getty

During the second season of *DWTS,* rapper Master P competed on the show for four weeks before being eliminated after his son, Romeo, never made it to the ballroom. However, Romeo’s injury had nothing to do with dancing — it was due to playing basketball. Master P reportedly had only “a week or two” to practice before stepping in.

Romeo finally got his chance to compete five years later, returning for season 12 in 2011, when he was paired with pro Chelsie Hightower. He far outlasted his dad, reaching fifth place before being eliminated in Week 8. Reflecting on his journey, the former Nickelodeon star told *The Hollywood Reporter* that he had no regrets.

“We went out with a bang. I put everything on the table. I was really shaking my hips,” he said.

Jewel for ‘DWTS’.

ABC/CRAIG SJODIN

Playboy Playmate Holly Madison ended up replacing “Foolish Games” singer Jewel when the latter suffered an injury before competing on *DWTS* season 8. Unlike Romeo, Jewel’s injury* was* sustained during training. According to CBS News, Jewel was diagnosed with fractures in both tibias.

“Obviously this has caught us a bit by surprise,” Conrad Green told the outlet, adding that any replacement would have a major challenge ahead of them, with “literally a couple of days to learn the routine, as opposed to a month.”

“When the doctors told me my injuries were so severe that I couldn’t walk, let alone compete, I was devastated that I couldn’t continue the show,” Jewel said at the time. That same season, Jewel’s rodeo star husband Ty Murray was competing, too, and she assured fans she’d be there to support him.

“I have every intention of being at *Dancing With the Stars* this season, supporting my husband, Ty, and his partner, Chelsie (Hightower). I hope to be back on the show in the future.”

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Nancy O’Dell

Nancy O’Dell and Tony Dovolani for ‘DWTS’.

ABC/CRAIG SJODIN

The same season that Jewel was knocked out before the fight even began, *Access Hollywood* host Nancy O’Dell was also forced to withdraw from *DWTS* due to an injury she suffered during training. Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Melissa Rycroft ended up replacing her, while O’Dell needed surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

“The show will go on,” Green said, per CBS News. “But really, our thoughts are with Jewel and Nancy. It’s such a tough blow for them and just horribly bad luck.”

“Beyond disappointment doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about not being able to continue on *Dancing With the Stars*. It has been one of my favorite shows since season one!” O’Dell said at the time. “But I have torn the meniscus in my knee in two places, which requires surgery. According to the doctor, one is a ‘significant’ tear and it will require my getting knee surgery within the next couple of weeks.”

Still, the host insisted that she’d had a great experience with her dance partner. “I’ll miss working with my partner, Tony Dovolani, and all the other wonderful people on the amazing production that is *Dancing With the Stars*,” O’Dell added. “Tony has been an amazing teacher and dance partner and I feel horrible I can’t continue for him… Although short, it was a great experience. I challenged myself to take a risk at doing something I had never done before!”

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Christie Brinkley

Christie Brinkley for ‘DWTS’.

ABC/CRAIG SJODIN

Model Christie Brinkley had to drop out of competing in *DWTS* season 28 after an injury during rehearsals required surgery on her wrist and arm. However, Brinkley had a quick replacement: her daughter, Sailor, ended up competing in her mother’s stead and made it to Week 6.

“While rehearsing for the premiere of *Dancing with the Stars*, Christie Brinkley suffered injuries which required surgery to her wrist and arm,” the network announced at the time. “She is unable to continue her planned participation on the show. Keeping it all in the family, her daughter Sailor Brinkley-Cook, a *Sports Illustrated* model, has chosen to quickly step in with hours to learn the entire routine and will compete in her mother’s place for the remainder of the season. We wish Christie a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her in the audience, whenever possible, proudly supporting Sailor.”

Brinkley called her withdrawal from the show a “crushing disappointment” in an Instagram post (via ET), but noted her total faith in her daughter. “Sailor always meets her challenges head on and realized she did not want to be defined by her fears so with just hours to learn my routine she is turning my defeat or should I say two left feat into her own victory of courage!” she wrote.

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Source: “EW Dancing”