If you were anywhere near a Peloton bike in 2021, you know the vibe. Cody Rigsby wasn't just an instructor; he was the "King of Quarantine," the man who got us through the dark days of lockdown with pop star rants and "Boo Crew" energy. So, when ABC announced he was joining Season 30 of Dancing with the Stars, it felt like a total slam dunk. But honestly? The journey turned out to be one of the most bizarre, stressful, and polarizing runs in the show's history.
It wasn't just about the dancing. It was a chaotic mess of breakthrough COVID-19 cases, remote performances from living rooms, and a wardrobe malfunction that Cody handled with his signature "it's not that deep" attitude.
The COVID Chaos That Nearly Ended It All
Most people remember the sequins, but they forget how close Cody came to just... vanishing from the season. Only two weeks in, his pro partner Cheryl Burke tested positive for COVID-19. They were forced to sit out the live show, with judges scoring a pre-recorded rehearsal of their Salsa instead. Then, the other shoe dropped. Cody tested positive too.
It was his second time having the virus in a year.
Usually, that’s a wrap. In previous seasons, a positive test often meant an automatic exit. But because it was Season 30 and the rules were evolving, the show pulled a first-ever move: the remote performance. Basically, they danced separately in their own homes. For Britney Spears week, Cody and Cheryl performed a Jazz routine to "Gimme More" via webcam. It was, to be blunt, kinda awkward. The judges gave them an 18 out of 30, which remains one of the lowest scores for a couple that eventually made the finals. You could tell Cody was struggling. He later admitted on a ride that the "inner saboteur" was telling him to quit because he felt so depleted.
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That Infamous Wardrobe Malfunction
Once he finally got back into the ballroom, the drama didn't stop. It just got funnier. During Disney Week, which is usually the most wholesome night of the year, Cody and Cheryl were doing a Jive to "Stand Out" from A Goofy Movie.
Mid-dip, he felt a breeze.
He ripped his pants right down the middle. Most celebrities would have panicked, but Cody is Cody. He finished the dance, got a respectable 27 out of 40, and then joked about it with the press. He told People that he didn't really care if his "ass was showing," but since it was Disney Night, he figured he should probably keep it PG.
Why the Fans and Judges Were at War
Here is the thing about Cody’s run: the "Boo Crew" is a force of nature. Every single week, Cody found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard with the judges. Len Goodman wasn't always a fan of his technique, and at times, his scores were objectively lower than people who were being sent home.
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But the Peloton community? They don't play.
They voted him through week after week, saving him from the "Bottom Two" even when he seemed destined for elimination. This created a huge divide online. On Reddit, some fans were annoyed that "better" dancers like Suni Lee or Melora Hardin were getting cut while Cody stayed.
Performance Stats at a Glance
- Final Placement: 3rd Place (Finalist)
- Highest Score: 40/40 (Freestyle to "Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels")
- Lowest Score: 18/30 (The remote Jazz routine)
- Partner: Cheryl Burke (her second-to-last season before retirement)
Honestly, his freestyle in the finale was the moment everything clicked. He danced to Todrick Hall, embraced his "XOXO, Cody" persona, and finally looked like he was having fun rather than just trying to survive the choreography. It was a perfect 10 across the board.
The "Real" Cody vs. The TV Cody
If you talk to any long-term Peloton rider, they’ll tell you the same thing: the Cody Rigsby on Dancing with the Stars felt a little... watered down.
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On the bike, he’s unfiltered. He’s talking about why 3D Doritos were the superior snack or why your favorite pop star's new era is a flop. On ABC, he had to fit into a very specific "celebrity contestant" box. The rehearsal packages often focused on his "struggle" or his COVID recovery, rather than his actual personality.
There was also a bit of a missed opportunity. Many fans wondered why Cody, who is openly gay and a huge advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, wasn't paired in a same-sex duo like JoJo Siwa was that same season. Cody later mentioned that while it wasn't something he was asked to do, he would have been open to it.
What We Can Learn from the "Boo Crew" Takeover
At the end of the day, Cody Rigsby’s time on Dancing with the Stars proved that modern celebrity is built on community, not just talent. He wasn't the best ballroom dancer in the room—not by a long shot. But he had a connection with his audience that surpassed the technicality of a Foxtrot.
Key Takeaways from Cody's Journey:
- Resilience is a brand: Most people would have quit after a second COVID diagnosis in nine months. He didn't.
- Community beats critics: You can have the lowest scores from the experts, but if your community shows up, you win (or at least get 3rd).
- Authenticity matters: He only truly excelled when he stopped trying to be a "ballroom dancer" and started being Cody.
If you’re looking to channel that same energy, the best thing you can do is check out his "XOXO, Cody" rides on the Peloton platform. That's where you see the version of him that the DWTS judges never quite understood. If you want to see the dancing for yourself, his Janet Jackson Night Paso Doble is arguably his best technical performance before the finale.
Search for his Season 30 "Freestyle" on YouTube to see the moment he finally stopped holding back. It’s a masterclass in how to close out a season, even if you don't take home the Mirrorball.