The Real Reason Brandon Armstrong Is Leaving the Dancing With the Stars Live Tour Early
A tour-ending injury has sidelined Dancing With the Stars pro Brandon Armstrong. The 31-year-old broke the news in a Saturday, April 25 video, appearing with his arm in a sling and admitting he’s hurt and super bummed.
Another week, another Dancing With the Stars tour hiccup. Pro dancer Brandon Armstrong is officially out with a tour-ending injury, and yes, it ’s exactly the body part a dancer does not want to mess up: his elbow.
What happened
Armstrong, 31, broke the news in a social video on Saturday, April 25, wearing a sling and looking understandably frustrated. He said he had been nursing an elbow issue for a while, then it took a bad turn during a show a few stops back. After seeing a doctor and talking it through with the tour team, he’s heading home to figure out next steps and focus on getting healthy.
"Long story short, I have a broken elbow."
Translation: that’s the end of his DWTS Live tour run this year.
Why this stings
This one hits a nerve for him. When Armstrong first joined DWTS, he was in the troupe and didn’t get a tour spot. He watched friends go out, perform live, and meet fans every night — the whole reason he wanted to be out there in the first place. So having to bow out now, with the finish line in sight, is a tough pill. He specifically called out how much he’ll miss the remaining meet-and-greets, but the upside is that going home early should speed up the recovery clock.
Nerd note: for dancers, tours aren’t just extra gigs — they’re where you connect with fans and get reps in front of a live crowd, so leaving late in the run really hurts.
What’s next for Brandon — and for DWTS
Armstrong is already eyeing the summer. He says he plans to see everyone at DWTS’s first-ever fan convention at the end of the season and, yes, he wants to be dancing by then.
That convention — a three-day, first-time event in Palm Springs — was announced by reigning mirrorball champ Witney Carson back in February on Good Morning America. She pitched it as an immersive hangout with access to pros and celebrities. Armstrong is on the list to appear, alongside other pros and former celeb contestants.
On the show front, DWTS was recently renewed for season 35. Early teases include reality TV favorites Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller, with the rest of the cast still under wraps.
- Injury reveal: Saturday, April 25 (social video; sling on, broken elbow confirmed)
- Immediate impact: Armstrong exits the DWTS Live tour to rehab
- DWTS Fan Convention: July 31–August 2 in Palm Springs, CA; Armstrong is scheduled to attend
- Season 35: Renewed; Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller attached so far; full cast TBA
Armstrong thanked everyone for the well-wishes and says he’s aiming to see fans at the end of summer — and hopefully on the next tour — once the elbow’s sorted.