Andy Richter ‘Absolutely’ Had Survivor’s Guilt on DWTS

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Comedian Andy Richter recently competed on Dancing With the Stars, and while he was used to performing with a partner – having worked alongside Conan O’Brien on Late Night for years – he’d never tried ballroom dancing before. He quickly learned the tango, foxtrot, and Viennese waltz, making it to the quarter finals with professional dancer Emma Slater. Richter praised Slater’s teaching style, saying she was “loving and understanding” and helped him master something completely new and challenging. He added that she truly understood how he learned.

Despite having the lowest score among the celebrities, it wouldn’t be accurate to call the 59-year-old a long shot. As the host of SiriusXM’s The Three Questions, he’s a natural at captivating audiences and built a large following on TikTok – known as the Fandys – who supported him for nine weeks. Viewers connected with his honesty and commitment, even though he hadn’t had any dance training, but his TikToks with Slater, promoting each episode, were a major hit. He shared, “This experience has truly changed me for the better and altered the direction of my life.”

After last night’s elimination, how are you doing? I’m not sure if I’m just relieved to be out or if it feels strange being back to normal, but I actually slept in this morning and took the dogs for a walk. My wife, daughter, and I went to our favorite diner for breakfast. It’s good to have my life back in a lot of ways, though I’m still feeling a bit down. Interestingly, Emma and I are even working on a TikTok together right now, so not everything has changed.

I was surprised when Emma suggested we make a TikTok video together. She presented it as something we just had to do, like taking vitamins, and I agreed. She’s right though – social media is crucial for getting people interested in the campaign. The other team members even joked about me being ‘Mr. TikTok’ or ‘The King of TikTok’ when I started, but it was all in good fun. We’re definitely making an impact.

What was it like sharing your very first TikTok? Honestly, I don’t even recall what the video was! Posting became a daily habit, almost like a ritual – something you just do. People often think of it as a dance contest, but it’s more like creating a TV show. The audience gets to decide which ‘characters’ – meaning creators – they want to see continue. If people enjoy what we’re doing, whether it’s a funny video or something else, they want to see more of us.

How technically skilled we were wasn’t the most important thing. If we were having fun and being genuine, people would enjoy watching us.

It’s been incredibly surprising to see the reaction from fans! I never expected this level of attention – it’s wild to see brands like Diet Coke commenting on our silly videos, or people dressing their babies as me for Halloween, complete with knee braces and headbands! It really made me realize the power of dance, how it can completely absorb you, and how it allows you to connect with something joyful and universal. That’s what drives dancers to pursue it for a lifetime.

At first, I was just hoping to avoid being the first one eliminated, and then maybe make it to week two. But surprisingly, I kept getting through each week! Eventually, my main focus shifted to making it to dedication night because I’d already planned for my daughter, Cornelia, to dance with us, and that was what I was really working towards.

Honestly, people kept telling me I might make it to the finals, and I started to actually believe it! But even if I’d been eliminated at any point, I would’ve been thrilled. I exceeded all my own expectations. I’m really hoping this show opens doors for more opportunities in the future.

Someone suggested I’d be good on the show Traitors. I really enjoy watching it, and apparently people think my honest personality would make me a strong player. Honestly, though, all I could think was how much I’d love to be the one secretly eliminating people!

Each week, you seemed genuinely surprised to survive another round. Did you ever feel bad about lasting longer than other contestants? Absolutely. I was shocked when Scott Hoying was eliminated. Online, people assumed he wanted to go home, thinking he was too tired to continue. I felt terrible – it was clear everyone thought, ‘Oh no, the kindest person is leaving!’ Emma and the other experienced dancers tried to reassure me, explaining it was up to the judges and the viewers. People even tried to upset me by pointing out I wasn’t a great dancer, which, honestly, I already knew.

You mentioned the show changed you. Can you explain how? It’s really made a positive difference in my life and set me on a healthier, happier path. It sounds strange to say it was because of a ballroom dance competition, but I feel like something bigger is at play.

Honestly, it’s tough picking a favorite because I’ve gotten to know everyone so well! But I’d be thrilled if Robert won. He’s seriously the most positive person I’ve ever met – just a ray of sunshine! Seeing him win would be amazing.

Finally, do you think you’ll ever dance again? I really enjoy waltzing – it’s fun to spin around the room with someone. I’m confident I could handle Broadway-style dancing now, though I wouldn’t be doing any acrobatic moves. I’m capable of learning and remembering a dance routine.

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2025-11-13 02:55