Podcast Summary: The Bobby Bones Show, Episode #524

Title: Bobby Believes He is Being Blackballed from DWTS + Celebrities Who Have Been Blackballed Over the Years + Round 2 of Fan Q&A: What Drives Bobby to Succeed? And More + Lionel Richie Invited Bobby to One of His Shows!

Release Date: July 8, 2025

1. Bobby's Alleged Blackballing from "Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS)

Bobby Bones opens the episode by expressing his belief that he has been blackballed from the popular TV show "Dancing with the Stars" despite being a former champion. He shares his personal experiences and observations that led him to this conclusion.

• Bobby Bones [01:47]: "I don't have official paperwork. I don't have a signed letter. There's been no big public announcement about this. But in my opinion... I do believe that I've been blackballed from Dancing with the Stars."

• Bobby Bones [02:25]: "I was the greatest dance champion ever, but I was not a great dancer. I was a great vote getter."

He reflects on his time on the show, highlighting his dedication despite a hectic schedule that included training, touring, and stand-up performances. Bobby also mentions his partner, Sharna, who faced similar exclusion post their championship win.

2. Celebrities Who Have Been Blackballed

Bobby delves into a comprehensive list of celebrities who have faced blackballing, elucidating the reasons and consequences of their exclusion from various platforms.

a. Sinead O'Connor

• Bobby Bones [03:15]: "She rips the picture and says, 'Fight the real enemy.'"

Sinead O'Connor's controversial performance on "Saturday Night Live" in 1992, where she tore a picture of Pope John Paul II, led to her being banned from the show, significantly impacting her career despite her musical prowess.

b. Martin Lawrence

• Bobby Bones [04:30]: "He goes off script in his monologue... extended rant about women's hygiene."

Martin Lawrence's 1994 "SNL" hosting stint ended abruptly due to his graphic and off-script monologue, resulting in an unofficial blacklist that lasted over two decades.

c. Elvis Presley

• Bobby Bones [05:50]: "CBS refused to show him from the waist down because his hips were basically sex on black and white television."

Elvis faced censorship on "The Ed Sullivan Show" for his provocative dance moves, initially limiting his performances until declining censorship increased his legendary status.

d. Madonna

• Bobby Bones [07:00]: "The Vatican condemned it immediately, which again, once they did that, it just made it bigger."

Madonna's "Like a Prayer" and subsequent "Blonde Ambition" tour faced backlash from the Vatican, leading to boycotts but ultimately amplifying her fame and rebellious image.

e. Pete Rose

• Bobby Bones [09:10]: "He has admitted he's betting on baseball. He lobbied for reinstatement... but now that he's died, he's allowed to be up for the Hall of Fame."

Pete Rose, MLB's all-time hits leader, was banned for life due to gambling scandals but posthumously became eligible for the Hall of Fame.

f. Tonya Harding

• Bobby Bones [11:00]: "She was banned for life by the US Figure Skating Association. No Olympics."

Tonya Harding's involvement in the attack on Nancy Kerrigan led to a lifetime ban from competitive figure skating, overshadowing her athletic achievements.

g. Ron Artest (Metta World Peace)

• Bobby Bones [12:45]: "He was suspended for 86 games after the Malice at the Palace."

Ron Artest's infamous brawl in 2004 resulted in the longest suspension in NBA history, prompting significant changes in league policies.

h. The Rolling Stones

• Bobby Bones [14:00]: "They were blacklisted from entire cities due to how rowdy their fans would get."

The Rolling Stones faced bans in various cities during the late '60s and early '70s, which only enhanced their reputation as symbols of rebellion.

i. Justin Bieber

• Bobby Bones [15:25]: "China banned him in 2017 citing 'bad behavior' including public outbursts and drag racing."

Despite his global fame, Justin Bieber remains banned from entering China, affecting his international presence.

j. Oasis

• Bobby Bones [16:40]: "They were banned from Cathay Pacific flights and MTV for on-stage antics and off-stage sibling rivalries."

Oasis faced multiple bans due to the infamous disagreements between the Gallagher brothers, which fueled their rock'n'roll image.

k. Hank Williams Sr.

• Bobby Bones [18:30]: "He was banned from the Grand Ole Opry for missing performances and battling alcoholism, never returning before his untimely death."

Hank Williams Sr.'s struggles with personal issues led to his exclusion from the prestigious Grand Ole Opry, cutting short his influential career.

3. Fan Q&A: What Drives Bobby to Succeed?

In the second round of fan questions, Bobby addresses what motivates him to achieve and maintain his success.

a. Misconceptions About Success

• Bobby Bones [28:20]: "Whatever's ingrained in you. Because in order to be wildly successful at something, first of all, there is a ton of sacrifice in other parts of your life."

He emphasizes that success often involves significant personal sacrifices and internal struggles, contrary to the common perception of effortless achievement.

b. Fear vs. Ambition

• Bobby Bones [29:40]: "I think my ambition is created by fear. Fear and insecurity, much like that."

Bobby reveals that his drive stems more from fear and insecurity than pure ambition, highlighting his personal battles and how they've shaped his relentless pursuit of success.

4. Lionel Richie's Invitation and Personal Anecdotes

Bobby shares a heartfelt story about his interaction with Lionel Richie, detailing a memorable invitation to one of Richie's European shows.

• Bobby Bones [33:15]: "I wrote a message on Instagram to Lionel Richie, and he responded the next day saying, 'Just tell me which show.'"

Despite initially committing to a European tour, Bobby recounts the humorous and unexpected turn of events leading to Lionel Richie personally inviting him to perform together in Copenhagen.

5. Weirdest and Funniest Fan Interactions

Bobby recounts some of the most bizarre and amusing encounters he's had with fans, primarily occurring in the most unexpected places.

• Bobby Bones [37:10]: "The weirdest is probably in the bathroom. There have been multiple times where a dude has come up while I'm at the urinal and it's kind of weird."

From unexpected meet-and-greets in restrooms to fans approaching him in unusual circumstances, Bobby highlights the unique and humorous side of his interactions with admirers.

6. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Wrapping up the episode, Bobby reflects on his journey, the challenges of being potentially blackballed, and his unwavering commitment to his career. He encourages listeners to engage with his content across various platforms, including YouTube channels like "Bobby Bones Channel" and "Bobby Bonesports."

• Bobby Bones [40:55]: "I have five other questions that you guys have sent me since then. You can always DM Me questions. I think this is a fun way to kind of put a button on these episodes."

Bobby concludes with gratitude towards his audience, reaffirming his dedication to delivering engaging and authentic content.

Notable Quotes:

• Bobby Bones [01:47]: "I do believe that I've been blackballed from Dancing with the Stars."

• Bobby Bones [07:00]: "The Vatican condemned it immediately, which again, once they did that, it just made it bigger."

• Bobby Bones [12:45]: "Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season. 86 games, the longest suspension for an on-court incident."

• Bobby Bones [29:40]: "I think my ambition is created by fear. Fear and insecurity, much like that."

Conclusion

In this episode, Bobby Bones provides an insightful and candid exploration of the concept of blackballing in the entertainment world, both from his personal experiences and through the stories of various high-profile celebrities. Coupled with engaging fan interactions and personal anecdotes, Bobby offers listeners a comprehensive look into the challenges and motivations that drive success in the public eye.