Andy Richter Details “Borderline Abuse” He Put Himself Through on DWTS

Andy Richter’s body was pushed to its limits.

A popular contestant on Dancing With the Stars, who was eliminated in week nine, shared how much the dancing with his partner, Emma Slater, physically challenged him.

The 59-year-old shared in a recent interview with People that they’re happy to be taking a break from dancing. They explained that their knees were bothering them so much they needed to ice them every hour, and they were dealing with a lot of pain and getting injections just to keep performing.

He said he’s getting better. It’s more than just taking it easy; his legs are actually healing. He realized he hadn’t just been pushing himself with exercise, he’d been overdoing it to the point of harming himself.

Andy and Emma were eliminated during the November 11th episode of the show, becoming the eighth couple to leave during season 34. Although Andy is recovering physically, he says he’s actually become accustomed to the intense training.

Even though I’m recovering well, I actually miss the physical demands of my work,” the host of Three Questions explained. “Working out at the gym on the elliptical just doesn’t compare to learning a new dance with Emma. It’s really different.

Indeed, working out became a pivotal part of his routine amid this time on the show.

He explained that he began to really enjoy the activity and felt like it was changing him for the better. He also started to look forward to the exercise itself, which brought a sense of optimism and a ‘can-do’ attitude, even though it was challenging.

He described the work as demanding, requiring at least four hours a day, every day of the week. He also mentioned dealing with chronic pain in his knees and hip, but emphasized that he was deeply invested and dedicated to the task.

Even though he didn’t win, Andy says he now enjoys being active and moving his body, thanks to his experience on the dance floor.

He’s noticed a pattern in people he knows: they often become more adventurous and open-minded when they’re younger, but as they age, they tend to become more cautious and fearful, preferring to stay within their comfort zones. He’s observed this for years and decided he wants to avoid that happening to himself.

He explained that he was subconsciously moving in that direction, but this ballroom dance competition made him realize it and embrace the change.

Want to know who wins the Mirror Ball trophy this season? Tune in on November 25th! In the meantime, you can relive all the amazing performances from season 34.