Drew Lachey: I Take Dancing With the Stars Elimination "Personally"

USMagazine, Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 7:00am (PDT)

Many Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars fans watching at home and in the ballroom were shocked when Drew Lachey and his pro partner Anna Trebunskaya were booted from the show Tuesday -- but none more than Lachey himself.

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"It really sucks! I take pride in being a performer, and to me it's ironic that the two Broadway performers -- me and Joey [Fatone] -- are gone already. It's a little odd to me," Lachey, 36, told Us Weekly after he and Indycar driver Helio Castroneves were sent home during a double elimination episode. "Do I think we're going home too early? Absolutely. I don't think there's anybody in this ballroom who would disagree with that [and] I don't think I'm speaking out of turn by saying that. Helio's going home too early as well."

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Though he's surprised by his premature exit, the 98 Degrees alum is leaving the series just as big of a fan as he was when he first competed in 2006 with Cheryl Burke. "We knew what we were getting into when we signed up for it. That's part of why we love this show, the unpredictability!" said Lachey.

"I'm going to miss it. I'll miss the hours of rehearsal," he continued. "It's what we love about the show: You put yourself out there and you expose yourself to a scenario that is unknown."

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Castroneves -- who came into DWTS: All-Stars with a mirror ball trophy after winning the show in 2007 -- wasn't as upset at his exit. "In all fairness, it's a show. And it's about voting. If you don't have the scores you have to have the votes," said the racer, who earned only a point-and-a-half better than Lachey -- 25.5/30 -- for his Monday night quickstep with Chelsie Hightower.

"I have no regrets. For me it was a perfect scenario: Incredible people and a great workout, to be honest! I will miss that most!" said Castroneves, 37. "It's special to be part of the All Star champions, it was an honor."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Drew Lachey: I Take Dancing With the Stars Elimination "Personally"