Overview
- Bones said in a Nov. 12 TikTok that he sent his 2018 Mirrorball trophy back to ABC after Tom Bergeron called his win an "ouch" moment in a Parade interview.
- He explained he had joined the show at ABC's request to promote another project and was juggling a full-time job while competing.
- Bergeron posted a public apology via Instagram, saying he did not intend to hurt Bones and that his remark reflected concerns about balancing judge and audience votes.
- Bones’ season 27 victory with Sharna Burgess was widely viewed as controversial because his judges’ scores trailed higher-scoring finalists, yet viewer votes carried him to the title.
- Bergeron later offered in a social media reply to personally return the trophy "on my dime," and Bones has not publicly indicated whether he accepts the apology.