‘DWTS’ alum Lindsay Arnold gushes over sister Rylee’s ‘special’ partnership with Connor Wood

TV exclusive See more of our coverage in your search results. Former “Dancing With the Stars” pro Lindsay Arnold couldn’t be prouder of her younger sister, Rylee Arnold, as she follows in her footsteps on the competition series. “I feel like a second mom to her, and everything she does, I’m just her biggest fan [and] her biggest cheerleader,” Lindsay told Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” while promoting her partnership with Huggies. The mom of three, 32, competed as a pro dancer on the ABC classic for 10 seasons before she departed in 2021. Former “Dancing With the Stars” pro Lindsay Arnold gushed over younger sister Rylee Arnold’s journey on the show. Page Six The mom of three told Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea, “I’m just her biggest fan.” (Lindsay is pictured with Rylee in August 2018.) ryleearnold1/Instagram Rylee, meanwhile, made her “Dancing With the Stars” debut in September 2023 at just 18 years old. Now 21 and on her fourth season as a pro, she continues to shine in the ballroom, competing alongside celebrity partner Connor Wood in Season 35. “Rylee and Connor this season have been such a fun bright light, such a bright fun energy that is just contagious,” Lindsay gushed. “You just feel happy when you’re watching them.” While the pair began their journey with consistently low scores from the judges, they earned their first 10s of the season from Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough for their Week 8 horror movie-inspired contemporary dance. Rylee, seen above with current partner Connor Wood on Yacht Rock Night, started competing as a pro in Season 32. Disney Rylee and Wood (pictured during their “DWTS” Season 35 premiere dance) started off at the bottom of the leaderboard, but have since improved significantly. Disney Their slow rise up the leaderboard has earned them praise from many people, including Hough and Season 33 winner Joey Graziadei, who both predict they’ll make it to the finale. For Lindsay, watching Rylee — who previously made it to the Season 33 finale with partner Stephen Nedoroscik and placed fourth — get the recognition she deserves from viewers is fulfilling. “I’ve loved this season for her,” Lindsay said. “I think it’s been such a special season for her for so many reasons, and it’s really, really cool to see people just recognizing and appreciating her talent.” They earned their first 10s of the season on Horror Movie Night, which Lindsay attended in person. lindsarnold/Instagram Despite some of the online criticism that pros often face, Lindsay said Rylee has “never changed who she is for one second.” “Through all of the things in her career, she’s always been the sweet, kind, loving Rylee that we all know and love, and that makes me so proud.” Lindsay, for her part, doesn’t currently have plans to return to “Dancing With the Stars,” and is perfectly content watching her sister compete each week. Rylee, seen with her eldest sister in August 2018, used to attend “DWTS” tapings regularly before she was cast. ryleearnold1/Instagram Lindsay told us Rylee has “never changed who she is for one second,” despite facing scrutiny from viewers. lindsarnold/Instagram Stay one step ahead with all the exclusive tea on your favorite reality TV stars! Sign up for Virtual Reali-Tea with Danny and Evan, our must-read newsletter! Thank for signing up! In fact, the TikTok star has been enjoying bringing her daughters Sage, 6, and June, 3, to the ballroom to watch their aunt compete. She explained, “I feel so lucky that my girls have someone like Rylee to look up to because she’s amazing, and she’s such a good role model, and she is doing such an amazing job.” “It’s so fun to see my girls just be absolutely obsessed. I love it, they love it, and it is such a fun thing for us to share together.” Lindsay — who won “DWTS” Season 25 with partner Jordan Fisher — doesn’t currently have plans to return to the show. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images However, she has been enjoying bringing her three kids to the ballroom to watch their aunt compete each week. lindsarnold/Instagram The dancer also has a 5-month-old son with husband Sam Cusick. While Lindsay has no plans to return to the beloved ABC series in an official capacity, she teamed up with Rylee for a special dance at “Dancing With the Stars” Con in August, and has made surprise appearances on the “DWTS” tour over the years. “Dancing With the Stars” airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. Community Guidelines Welcome to the Page Six Community! Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas in a safe space. 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