Protesters interrupted lying Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte's debut on Dancing With the Stars Monday night.
According to the Washington Post, Lochte had finished dancing with partner Cheryl Burke and was receiving his critiques when two protesters stormed the stage. The two men were grabbed by security and escorted out before Los Angeles police took them into custody.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba was critiquing Lochte's performance, and although the disruption was not broadcast, Inaba can be heard saying, "Excuse me!" A network source told the Post that Inaba was speaking to the two men who had reportedly jumped onto the stage and attempted to knock Lochte down.
As the men were being escorted out of the studio, women wearing anti-Lochte T-shirts began yelling, "Liar!" The women were also taken out of the studio by security.
Lochte has been the subject of scrutiny ever since he was caught lying about an incident with police in Rio de Janeiro during the recent Summer Olympics. Lochte claimed that Rio police robbed him and put a gun to his head, but he recanted that story after police claimed it didn't happen. Lochte was suspended from the U.S. swimming team for 10 months, the Post reports, and has become the poster boy for white male privilege. His addition to the DWTS cast has also been heavily scrutinized.
"We had to go to break because we had a little incident. I would like to personally thank our security team for staying in shape," host Tom Bergeron said after the commotion.
"Are you OK, you guys? Ryan, how are you doing?"
"I’m doing good," a stunned Lochte answered.
"When there’s that kind of strong emotion, what does that make you feel like?" Bergeron asked Lochte.
"So many feelings are going through my head right now. A little hurt," Lochte said, the Washington Post reports. "But I came out here; I wanted to do something that I’m completely not comfortable with, and I did. And I came out with a big smile, and I had the best dance partner."
"We are nothing if not a country of second acts and second chances," Bergeron said.
Burke added that Lochte is kind and in turn deserves to be coddled.
"I’m shocked, and I am hurt for Ryan," Burke said. “Me and Ryan have gotten the pleasure to know each other, and he’s an amazing guy. He’s great, and kind, and he’s just here working his butt off, and trying to do what he’s supposed to be doing, which is dancing. So I hope people give him a chance."
The two protesters were being held pending charges of suspicion of trespassing.
Read more at the Washington Post.