Kim Kardashian Says ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Still Haunts Her, and She Has a Wild Idea for a Family Comeback
Before Kim Kardashian was a beauty mogul and a Hulu leading lady, she was one of the fresh faces of reality TV. In 2008, at the height of ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’, she joined Season 7 of ABC’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’, which premiered on September 22 that year.
Paired with pro dancer Mark Ballas, Kardashian competed alongside names like Cloris Leachman, Susan Lucci, Toni Braxton and Cody Linley. Her scores of 19 for the foxtrot, 18 for the mambo and 17 for the rumba weren’t enough, and she was the third couple eliminated on September 30, finishing 11th.
Nearly 2 decades later, the experience clearly hasn’t faded from her memory. During an appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ on Thursday, October 15, Kardashian revealed she’s still traumatized by her time on the show and admitted she used to pray to get voted off.
Kardashian didn’t sugarcoat how hard the competition was for her. She told Kimmel that she would cry in her trailer every single night, hoping she’d be eliminated. She went further, saying the experience left her traumatized for life. Kardashian has previously explained that she was too shy to let loose and enjoy herself on the dance floor.
Kim kadashian on Tonight show with Jimmy Kimmel reveals she cried in her trailer while shooting dancing with the stars and always prayed to get kicked out of the show and due to how she felt she has not danced ever since and even where she goes for like a wedding, when it comes for time to dance she doesn’t, she has been traumatized ever seen. “I was so shy to do it and I couldn’t get over myself I couldn’t get into it, cos I was so shy and never danced again.. I am traumatized”
— Jude (@wyjude1) October 16, 2026
The ordeal had a lasting effect. She says she hasn’t danced since, and she reportedly avoids dancing even at weddings. The topic came up naturally given what’s been happening on Kimmel’s own show. His longtime sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez, recently competed on Season 35 of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ alongside pro Witney Carson.
Guillermo received the lowest judges’ scores week after week but became a fan favorite thanks to his enthusiasm and the playful TikToks he made with Carson. He was eliminated just days before Kardashian’s visit, and Kimmel publicly called the decision an outrage.
Kardashian noted that Guillermo lasted longer than she did. Their very different experiences made for a fun contrast, with Guillermo clearly loving every moment and Kardashian remembering it as an ordeal.
kim kardashian & mark ballas on dancing with the stars 2008 https://t.co/TbcrUVA3O1
— ˖᯽ ݁˖ pop backup ˖᯽ ݁˖ (@popbackupp) March 19, 2026
Despite her painful memories, Kardashian has an intriguing idea. A few weeks ago, her sister Kylie Jenner pulled up one of Kim’s old performances during a family poker night, which got the family talking.
Kardashian said she once asked her sisters what an entire season of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ would look like with the whole Kardashian-Jenner family competing, and they all liked the idea. Kimmel called it a great concept.
Kim Kardashian Reveals She eats McDonald’s in every country then immediately does hyperbaric chambers and blood cleaning Jimmy Kimmel: “Did you visit McDonald’s in China?” Kim Kardashian: “When you’re traveling with kids and they’re jet-lagged, you say McDonald’s, get fries, and everyone’s nice again.” “The chicken nuggets vary in different countries. In China, I opted out for just fries.” Jimmy Kimmel: “Is your red light therapy like the lamp over the chicken nuggets at McDonald’s?” Kim Kardashian: “Exactly. I got ready for carpool wearing the gloves, the neck one, and the face one, and told the kids, ‘Get in!’”
— Murna Elisa (@Murnalisa_) October 16, 2026
She made her terms clear, though. Kardashian said she would only return if the whole family took part, and she admitted she wasn’t sure the show would go for it. Neither ABC nor the family has announced any plans.
The late-night visit came as Kardashian promotes the second season of her Hulu legal drama ‘All’s Fair’, which premieres November 4 with 3 episodes. She stars as divorce attorney Allura Grant alongside Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, Sarah Paulson and Glenn Close.
She’s had a full month, including an early birthday getaway to the Philippines and a new SKIMS collaboration with DoorDash. Her candid ‘DWTS’ confession added a relatable moment to a very polished press tour.
For now, the answer seems to be no, unless her whole family signs up. Still, the idea of a Kardashian-Jenner takeover of the ballroom is the kind of pitch that could get viewers talking.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35 continues airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Disney+. Whether the Kardashians ever join a future season remains to be seen.
Would you watch a full Kardashian-Jenner family season of Dancing With the Stars?
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