Strictly Come Dancing professional Carlos Gu received both sympathy and criticism online after becoming emotional during Saturday night’s live show. Following an emotional performance with celebrity partner Karen Carney, Carlos wept as Claudia Winkleman interviewed them in the Claudiatorium — a moment that quickly went viral and sparked divided opinions among viewers (BBC Strictly Live Show).

Karen and Carlos danced their American Smooth to You Don’t Own Me by Saygrace featuring G-Eazy, a dramatic and modern reinterpretation of the classic track. The judges praised Karen’s impressive posture and flexibility, particularly notable given her ongoing struggle with Scheuermann’s disease — a spinal condition that causes the upper back to curve, limiting mobility and posture (NHS Health Guidance).

Despite these challenges, Karen delivered what many critics called her strongest ballroom performance yet, earning heartfelt praise from the panel.

Karen and Carlos Shine in Their American Smooth

The routine earned generous comments from the judges. Craig Revel Horwood told Karen: “You are absolutely gorgeous. I love watching you dance,” adding that even when he critiques her technique, he continues to “adore” the partnership. His comments echoed earlier praise Karen had received for her marked improvement in posture week after week (Radio Times).

Motsi Mabuse called the performance “beautiful,” while Shirley Ballas’s emotional praise proved too much for Carlos, who visibly broke down beside the dancefloor. As he wiped away tears, host Tess Daly placed a comforting hand on his arm, acknowledging the significance of Shirley’s words.

Shirley highlighted Karen’s growth, saying: “From week one to now, your posture has come along so beautifully. I saw your hard work. I saw flow in the arms, beautiful wrists and hands. Just be a little more consistent, but the improvement is remarkable.” Her detailed feedback is characteristic of Shirley’s judging style, often noted for mixing technical insight with emotional warmth (The Guardian).

Tess gently told Carlos: “I know that meant a lot to you, what Shirley said,” as he struggled to compose himself.

Carlos Breaks Down as He Praises Karen’s Determination

Back in the Claudiatorium, Carlos continued to weep while speaking to Claudia Winkleman. His voice cracked as he said: “She worked so hard this week. I know ballroom is not her strength, but she came in and said: ‘Carlos, I really want to try hard. I know my back has problems, but I really want to try.’”

He continued, growing more emotional: “Hearing the judges say that… you have no idea how hard she’s been working.” Karen — who scored her first 10 of the series just last week (Metro UK) — also appeared teary-eyed as she placed a reassuring hand on Carlos’s shoulder.

Their emotional exchange quickly trended on social media, with fans praising their bond and calling Carlos “one of the sweetest pros on Strictly” (ITV News Entertainment).

Viewers Moved by Carlos’s Emotional Reaction

Many viewers admitted they cried along with Carlos. One fan posted: “Carlos, I’m crying as well. Please stop, it’s breaking my heart.” Another wrote: “I’m in tears after Kaz and Carlos’s dance. She has worked so hard on her posture, even though it must be painful. It must be lovely for the pros when the judges finally recognise that improvement.”

Another viewer added: “Blimey, Carlos is wearing his heart on his sleeve tonight.” Others praised him for his vulnerability, with one saying: “I wasn’t expecting to cry over this, but Carlos has me weeping. He is the sweetest.”

Strictly fans often celebrate emotional moments on the show, and this series has already contained several tearful interactions — something outlets like The Guardian have described as part of Strictly’s “unique blend of competition and humanity.”

But Not Everyone Was Impressed — Claims of “Fake Crying” Emerge

Despite the wave of support, not all viewers appreciated the display of emotion. As is common with Strictly, the internet quickly split into camps. Some accused Carlos of overreacting, while others questioned whether the tears were genuine, sparking a small but loud online backlash (Daily Mail Entertainment).

One critic wrote: “Carlos and Karen need to get a grip — it’s not the end of the world.”
Another said: “All this crying on Strictly is doing my head in. It’s way too OTT this year.”

A third viewer posted bluntly: “Pull yourself together, Carlos ffs!”
Another went further, claiming: “Carlos is fake crying.”

These comments echo a broader trend Strictly has faced in recent years: online debates over authenticity, emotional expression, and what some fans call “the show becoming too sentimental” (BBC Entertainment Analysis).

A Performance That Sparked Passion on Both Sides

While the backlash drew attention, many fans and commentators argue that the emotional moment demonstrated the depth of commitment Karen and Carlos bring to the competition. For Karen, dancing through a spinal condition is no small feat; for Carlos, watching his partner grow technically despite pain is understandably moving.

As Radio Times noted, Strictly is at its best when the technical meets the emotional — and Saturday night’s performance delivered exactly that.