Dancing with the Stars

Sharna Burgess says pro bull rider Bonner Bolton made an innocent mistake when he nearly grabbed her crotch, but make no mistake about it ... she digs her "Dancing with the Stars" partner.

Sharna came on "TMZ Live" to defend Bonner, who she calls a Southern gentleman. But take a look ... the more she said, the more it seemed like Sharna wouldn't mind getting more touchy-feely with Bonner.

She definitely clears up the crotch incident, but as for any other "funny business" ... that remains to be seen. Or felt.

Professional bull rider Bonner Bolton knows how to rope 'em in ... but his move on "Dancing with the Stars" with partner Sharna Burgess may have crossed the line.

Cameras caught Bonner getting handsy below the belt during Monday's season premiere. Bonner brushed off the crotch grab saying it was an accident ... he was distracted and when she bumped into him he just randomly reached. Sharna gave him a pass too.

That said ... they have some serious chemistry.

Prince William needs help ... 'cause his dancing sucks ... and Indy legend Helio Castroneves (who also won "Dancing with the Stars") is offering up his expertise!

Helio joined the guy on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs tonight on FS1) ... and channels his inner-Bruno to help out the future King of England.

Watch. Listen. Take his advice!!!

Gabby Douglas in full BOSS MODE -- telling TMZ Sports she doesn't want to follow the typical celebrity path and compete on "Dancing with the Stars" ... she wants to be a JUDGE!

The U.S. Olympic legend was at LAX when we asked about fellow gymnast Simone Biles entering the ballroom this season ... and that's when Gabby told us she'd rather dish out scores than take them.

Simone Biles, Mr. T and Nancy Kerrigan better watch out (actually, Nancy should be watching out at all times) 'cause NFL player Rashad Jennings has a secret weapon to win 'DWTS' ... EMMITT SMITH!!

We got Rashad out in NYC and asked how he was preparing for his big chance as part of the new season ... and that's when he told us he actively picked the brain of Smith, a former winner.

It makes sense Jennings would be taking his dancing so seriously. When we got him a while back he told us being on the show was actually one of his dreams.

Still though, a Cowboy helping a guy most known as a Giant? Seems weird, right?

Mr. T damn near popped a vein breaking down why bodyguards aren't supposed to know how to dance ... which only fired us up more to watch him on "Dancing with the Stars."

We got the bodyguard-turned-actor Wednesday in NYC, and he explained why the rhythm never got him back in the day, and still hasn't. T just ain't about that life.

So, why is he doing 'DWTS'? Check out his plan to conquer.

After suffering her 3rd loss in a row, Holly Holm needs to take a break from UFC and try to get on "Dancing with the Stars" ... so says UFC champ Tyron Woodley.

35-year-old Holm hasn't won a single fight since KO'ing Ronda Rousey back in 2015 -- and after her latest loss at UFC 208 over the weekend, some people are saying her fighting career is over.

Woodley isn't ready to stick a fork in Holm -- but says she needs to focus on building her brand OUTSIDE of the Octagon while she's still famous ... and thinks 'Dancing' could be the perfect fit.

The only flaw in Woodley's logic ... is it too little, too late?

Enough with the sequins and the cha-cha ... Calvin Johnson needs to get his ass out of the ballroom and back into the NFL ... so says his ex-teammate, Nate Burleson.

The ex-WR -- who's now hosting "Good Morning Football" on the NFL Network -- was out in Houston Wednesday night when he stopped our guy and sent a personal message to the Detroit Lions legend.

He also shouted out Marshawn Lynch ... saying BOTH dudes still obviously have more gas in the tank.

Paige VanZant didn't hold a grudge after Michelle Waterson choked her out at UFC on FOX 22 this weekend -- and graciously congratulated her opponent backstage ... so says Michelle herself.

The Karate Hottie say she has the ultimate respect for Paige -- and thought it was classy when VanZant spoke with her after the fight. "She's a really sweet girl."

Waterson says she has 2 opponents in mind moving forward -- and also wants to capitalize on her high profile victory ... maybe even taking Paige's place on "Dancing with the Stars."

Check out the clip ... Michelle's awesome.

Erin Andrews is officially engaged -- she told us so -- and has the bling on her finger to prove it too.

We got Erin at LAX ... she just got back from watching the Packers beat down the Seahawks in Green Bay, and she's finally confirmed she's getting hitched to NHL free agent Jarret Stoll.

Erin played it coy when it comes to wedding day plans, but at least we have more details than emojis can provide ... like who she wants to cater the event.

#ErinRunsOnDunkin

It really pays to go the distance on "Dancing with the Stars" -- just ask U.S. Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez ... who just made a TON OF CASH on her way to winning the Mirrorball Trophy.

Since Laurie is only 16 ... producers had to get a judge to sign off on the terms of her contract in order for it to be enforceable. And those documents included the entire 'Dancing' pay structure.

Laurie got a cool $125k just for being on the show -- but she got more cash the further she made it.

Surviving to Week 3 and 4 got her $10k per week.

Week 5 paid $15k.

Weeks 6 and 7 paid $20k per week.

Weeks 8 and 9 ... $30k per week.

Weeks 10 and 11 ... $50k per week.

Grand total ... $360,000!!!

"Dancing with the Stars" producers are doing everything they can to avoid an encore performance from protesters ahead of Tuesday night's season finale.

Cops and K9 units lined the check-in area Tuesday afternoon at The Grove in L.A. where they're shooting the finale. We're told security is on high alert due to the anti-Ryan Lochte protesters who stormed the dance floor in September. A criminal court hearing for those 2 guys has been delayed until next month.

Lochte is out of the competition, but he'll still be in the audience tonight. Sources tell us producers are also concerned about new protesters in the current political climate.

"Dancing with the Stars" front-runners Sharna Burgess and Indycar driver James Hinchcliffe got the highest score on last week's episode, but it might've been their swan song ... TMZ has learned.

Our 'DWTS' sources tell us Sharna went down hard during last Monday's dress rehearsal, tumbling on an already banged up knee. She danced with a brace on, but now doctors want her off of the joint for 3-6 weeks. There are only 3 weeks left.

Sharna's definitely out Monday night and possibly the rest of the season.

Amber Rose has 2 new things in her life ... a $371k Rolls-Royce Wraith and a guy to drive it.

Amber was spotted leaving the new WeHo hotspot Delilah with Val Chmerkovskiy -- younger brother to her "Dancing with the Stars" partner, Maxim. There are rumors the two might be a thing -- hell, she's letting him drive her Rolls for what must be the first time ... based on this clip.

Still, Amber says she's making new Halloween plans ... with a different guy in her life.

Amber Rose is feeling the pressure of her next -- and possibly last -- appearance on "Dancing with The Stars" ... she even broke down in tears during rehearsal.

We got video of Amber going through her Monday night routine with partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and after a few missteps, the frustration finally poured out.

Check out the clip -- Amber confirms ... professional dancing ain't no walk in the park.

Sources close to the production tell us there's a lot more going on behind the scenes that pushed Amber to being so emotional. We're told Monday night's theme is "Most Memorable Year" -- and Amber's is 2013 ... when her 3-year-old son, Sebastian, was born.

The guys who rushed Ryan Lochte on "Dancing With the Stars" now have to steer clear of him until their trial, and they're also banned from some good eats and shopping.

A judge has ordered Sam Sotoodeh and Barzeen Soroudi to stay 300 yards away from Ryan, and since their attack/protest went down on the CBS Lot ... they're persona non grata at CBS Studios, CBS Television City, and the L.A. office for BBC Productions.

One more swift kick in the ass for 'em -- the judge's order also includes The Grove shopping center and the Farmers Market off Fairfax, which are both right next to the 'DWTS' studio.

That hurts almost as much as getting tackled by giant security guards.