Fact-Checking Dwts Religion: Active Lds Members Vs. Pros Who Stepped Away
By Alexander Ross
Balancing traditional LDS social standards against the visual demands of network entertainment creates real friction for Mormon performers. The church emphasizes the "Word of Wisdom", which prohibits alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco, alongside conservative dress codes that traditionally discourage revealing attire.
Competitive Latin dancing relies on open backs, plunging necklines, sheer fabrics, and provocative choreography designed to accentuate hip motion. For dancers like Witney Carson and Lindsay Arnold, public comments on platforms like Instagram regularly feature debates among LDS followers arguing over whether stage costumes violate religious values. Both performers have repeatedly addressed this dynamic. They treat costumes strictly as athletic work equipment, drawing a distinction between professional performance and personal morality.
The culture shock runs in reverse as well. Dancers arriving on commercial sets often find their non-drinking, family-centric lifestyle confusing to Hollywood peers. Former troupe member and pro Chelsie Hightower spoke openly on post-Mormon podcasts about the intense psychological exhaustion of living between two radically different cultures. She described the internal pressure of trying to remain an exemplary representative of her church while simultaneously trying to thrive in an entertainment industry where edge, rebellion, and social drinking are standard networking currencies. That specific tension is what eventually led several dancers, including Hightower herself, to deconstruct their religious upbringing.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
