Rapper Nelly, who is a contestant on Dancing With the Stars season 29, is calling dance partner Daniella Kagerach his "Ride Or Die" amid feud rumors. The "Hot in Herre" performer took to Instagram to let the haters know that it's nothing but love between him and his pro. So far, the post has racked up 90,000 likes.
Gossip surrounding the Dancing with the Stars duo arose after fans noted online that Nelly and his partner lack the same physical closeness that many of the other teams have. After each dance, the stars and their partners are often seen hugging or giving each other encouraging shoulder squeezes, but not Nelly and Daniella. What many of those fans might not know is that the rapper, despite his sexy image, is a proud dad who is in a relationship with Shantel Jackson. Meanwhile, Daniella is married to fellow DWTS pro, Pasha Pashkov, who was Carole Baskin's dance partner before the two DWTS celebs were eliminated in week 2.
Aside from quashing any rumors of beef, the rapper was quick to continue singing Daniella Kagerach's praises. "As far as my technique, that’s in this young lady’s lap, and when those judges don’t see that, I get offended because I’m taking up for her," he said. "I don’t care about me, but she’s put in the work and they shouldn’t be doing that to her."
Another thing that might have led viewers and fans of the show to question Nelly's feelings is his stoicism. Nelly mentioned to the judges early on that he grew up poor in a St. Louis neighborhood. Those humble beginnings were in a place where a young man could not go around wearing his heart on his sleeve, much less diving into the challenges of ballroom dancing. Some viewers thought his early reactions to the judge's critiques were a bit icy, but Nelly is just a different performer than Catfish: The TV Show star Nev Schulman or Skai Jackson. Nelly, who has collaborated with artists of all kinds, including country group Florida Georgia Line, fiercely defended Daniella's choreography and tutelage. With '80s Night now over, fans got another chance to see this team dance a spicy Samba to “Rhythm of the Night” by DeBarge.
Each season, gossip abounds on Dancing With the Stars. Usually, it's of the "Are they hooking up?" variety, but this latest rumor of discord between Nelly and Daniella is a real letdown. Whether it's the work of bored Internet trolls, DWTS producers looking to spice up the competition, or something rooted in truth, this year needs to end on as many harmonious notes as possible. It was a wonderful gesture to have Nelly publicly defend Daniella and refute any ugliness associated with his participation on the show. The rapper has been crushing it in the ballroom with his sports apparel-inspired dance shoes and his suave moves. It may be too early to tell who's going home with the Mirror Ball Trophy this year, but one thing's for certain... Nelly is a formidable DWTS opponent and a true class act.
Source: TV Shows Ace, Nelly via Instagram