Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas are cruising toward the Dancing With the Stars finals, as the Duck Dynasty star has emerged as a bona fide contender.
One that might not be stopped, given the 17-year-old’s talent and the groundswell of support coming from her family and fans in West Monroe, La.
The paso doble dance she performed Monday earned 30 of 40 points from the show’s four judges, the duo’s worst score this season. Not that you’d know it.
Fans enthusiastically cheered the Quack Attack on social media, as one of the likable cast members on one of the biggest cable shows ever gained support.
While millions watch Duck Dynasty online and on A&E, the show has been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes of the south and for the family’s conservative beliefs.
Clearly Dancing With the Stars was savvy enough to weave the popular show into the competition’s narrative this season, however, and its ratings prove it.
During her numbers, the camera often cuts to her father Willie Robertson and other family members in the audience, who smile as they watch her dance.
Earlier this month, several family members joined her onstage for a Dynasty-themed samba in which she flapped her hands to resemble a duck’s feathers.
“Do it for the family … do it for the Robertsons,” she said in a pre-dance clip, echoing a theme expressed earlier this week by brother John Luke Robertson.
Earlier this season, Robertson revealed that her father approves her DWTS costumes to make sure she showed “basic modesty,” ABC News reported.
“Out of respect, we ask my dad if it’s OK,” the 17-year-old Sadie said.
“Those aren’t dresses, those are dishtowels,” Willie said at one point.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Sadie can actually dance as well.
This combination – her ability, her authenticity (Sadie also made headlines by saying she’s saving herself for marriage) and her fan support – may be tough to top.
Think she can get it done? Discuss below!
