# Harry Shum Jr. Defends DWTS Samba Routine

> Harry Shum Jr. clarifies his DWTS samba routine wasn't a tired freestyle after fan backlash.
- Title: Harry Shum Jr. Defends DWTS Samba Routine · Cosmopolitan
- Summary: Harry Shum Jr. clarifies his DWTS samba routine wasn't a tired freestyle after fan backlash. Harry Shum Jr. says he worked hard on samba moves for DWTS…
- Keywords: harry shum jr, jenna johnson, dwts, samba, dancing with the stars, fan backlash, Harry, Shum, Defends, Routine, Cosmopolitan
- Source: Cosmopolitan — https://cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a74143951/harry-shum-jr-response-samba-backlash
- Author: Mehera  Bonner
- Published: 2026-10-15T12:26:12+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: harry shum jr, jenna johnson, dwts, samba, dancing with the stars, fan backlash
## Harry Shum Jr. responds to DWTS fan
Harry Shum Jr. wrote on DWTS Instagram that fans should take a deep breath after criticism about their samba routine.

> Everyone take a deep breath! It’s all going to be okay! Lots of madness in this world already so let’s just enjoy being entertained!!! I got to dance on national television again and people felt many things! I love it all. Thank you for watching and caring so much tho.
## Harry defends samba routine
Harry Shum Jr. said he worked hard on samba moves including slingshots and promenades, not a tired freestyle.

> I worked my ass off on the samba in this dance. Slingshot, promenade runs, whisks...nothing my body is use to.
## Harry explains samba challenge
Harry Shum Jr. mentioned last week was tango and the week before was jive with old Hollywood musical hints.

> And last week was full of tango. And the week before was straight up Jive with hints of old Hollywood musical.
## Key takeaway

Harry Shum Jr. says he worked hard on samba moves for DWTS, rejecting claims of copying a tired freestyle.