'Dancing with the Stars': A look at the show's most controversial contestants

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Another season of "Dancing with the Stars" is underway.

Each season, a number of celebrities from various professions are recruited to participate in the competition. Of course, Hollywood stars, like actors and singers, have competed for the Mirrorball Trophy, but athletes, politicians, businesspeople and socialites have all tried their hand on the dance floor as well.

After 30 seasons on television, it stands to reason that some of the contestants might push more buttons than others – and some might be downright controversial.

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As season 30's contestants prepare to hit the boards once again, here's a look at some of the show's most controversial contestants.

Olivia Jade Giannulli (season 30)

Olivia Jade Giannulli is competing on "Dancing with the Stars." (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)

This year's cast includes Olivia Jade Giannulli, the daughter of actress Lori Loughlin and designer Mossimo Giannulli.

While Olivia Jade is a popular social media personality in her own right, her name became even more famous when her parents were accused of participating in the college admissions scandal to secure her a spot at the University of Southern California.

Since the scandal broke, Olivia Jade has faced accusations of abusing her privilege, and her public address of the situation during an episode of "Red Table Talk" was also publicly slammed.

Paula Deen (season 21)

Paula Deen competed in season 21. (Photo by Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Paula Deen was among the first big names in recent memory to see cancel culture take hold of her career.

When she was accused of using racial slurs, Deen's career all but ended when several standing deals fell through and her television show "Paula's Best Dishes" was canceled at Food Network.

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Just a few years after the scandal broke, the chef appeared as a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars."

Carole Baskin (season 29)

"Tiger King" star Carole Baskin competed on season 29 with partner Pasha Pashkov. (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)

Carole Baskin skyrocketed to fame in early 2020 when Netflix's "Tiger King" dropped, featuring her battle with fellow big cat enthusiast Joe "Exotic" Maldonado-Passage.

Featured in the documentary was a story about Baskin's missing ex-husband, who still has not been found after vanishing in 1997. Baskin has faced accusations of involvement in his disappearance in the years following and even faced speculation of being involved in his presumptive death.

Baskin and her current husband, Howard, have vehemently denied such speculation

Ryan Lochte (season 23)

Ryan Lochte was a contestant on season 23 of "Dancing with the Stars" with partner Cheryl Burke. (Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Olympic athlete Ryan Lochte was a fan favorite swimmer until 2016 when he and several other professional swimmers were swept up in scandal during the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

It was initially reported that the athletes were robbed at gunpoint, but it was later revealed that Lochte had vandalized a poster and urinated outside of a bathroom at a gas station, where they were confronted by armed guards.

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Eventually, Lochte was charged with falsely reporting a crime and apologized for his "immature" decisions and behavior."

Sean Spicer (season 28)

Sean Spicer was featured on season 28 alongside partner Lindsay Arnold. (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)

Former White House Press secretary Sean Spicer caused an uproar when he was cast on the 28th season of "Dancing with the Stars."

Best known for working under former President Trump, Spicer surprised "Dancing" viewers by frequently making it through rounds of elimination despite skills that weren't quite up to snuff.

Viewers were divided in their support of the contestant.

Tonya Harding (season 26)

Tonya Harding competed in season 26 with partner Sasha Farber. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

Another world-famous athlete, Tonya Harding has been a controversial figure for the majority of her time in the public eye.

Harding was a big name in the world of figure skating in the early 1990s and made headlines when her biggest American competitor, Nancy Kerrigan, was the subject of an attack that saw her receive severe injuries. 

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It has since been revealed that the attack was orchestrated by Harding's ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, and Harding's involvement has been questioned.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (season 5)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. competed alongside professional Karina Smirnoff. (Photo by Carol Kaelson/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Professional boxer Floyd Mayweather may well be one of the sport's biggest names in the last several decades, but that doesn't mean he was without scandal.

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Before his turn on the show in 2007, Mayweather had been charged with crimes like battery and domestic violence on multiple occasions.