The 'DWTS' Cast Rallies Behind Jeannie Mai After Her "Heartbreaking" Sudden Exit

From Good Housekeeping

• Dancing With the Stars season 29 airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

• Ahead of Monday's new episode, contestant Jeannie Mai and her partner, Brandon Armstrong, dropped out of the competition.

• In a statement given to Good Morning America, Jeannie cited her hospitalization and diagnosis of epiglottitis as the reason for her exit.

• Epiglottitis is a condition that causes swelling in the windpipe.

• The season 29 cast offered Jeannie well wishes on social media after she left the competition.

The Dancing With the Stars family is showing support for season 29 cast member Jeannie Mai in light of her sudden departure.

As the show announced on Monday, The Real cohost and her pro partner, Brandon Armstrong, will no longer be able to compete on Dancing With the Stars this fall. According to Jeannie's statement to Good Morning America, the TV star was recently hospitalized and diagnosed with epiglottitis, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a small cartilage "lid" swells in the windpipe and blocks air from entering the lungs, according to Mayo Clinic.

"My doctors discovered a health concern with my throat which requires immediate attention and surgery," Jeannie's statement read."I am heartbroken that my DWTS journey has to end here."

She added, "I have pushed myself to new limits physically and mentally, and I am so proud of how far we’ve come."

Upon hearing the news, many current Dancing With the Stars cast members rushed to Instagram to offer Jeannie well wishes. "We all love you so much @thejeanniemai 💔," Chrishell Stause wrote on a DWTS Instagram announcing Jeannie's departure. "We love you @thejeanniemai! I will so miss the excitement you bring to the ballroom. 👑," Johnny Weir commented on the same post. Meanwhile, Skai Jackson wrote that she would "miss" Jeannie, and Kaitlyn Bristowe wished Jeannie a "speedy recovery."

Brandon also offered up kind words about his season 29 dance partner on Instagram. "JEANNIE! I’m so sorry this happened to you! You don’t deserve it! Your journey on this show was so special so unique and so inspiring! I loved EVERY SINGLE WEEK that we got to go through this together! I hope I helped give you an experience that you’ll remember forever!" he wrote in part.

Jeannie's unexpected exit from the show will result in a slight adjustment to Monday night's original double-elimination format. Each of the remaining pairs will be split into three relay groups — Cha-Cha, Samba, or Viennese Waltz. After judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough award bonus points to each couple based on their assigned dance, the points will be added to their individual scores and live votes ahead of Monday's elimination.

"Jeannie has inspired us, along with millions of fans, with her energy and dedication. We wish her a full and speedy recovery," the show declared on social media. "Since Jeannie had to withdraw from the competition, tonight’s show will feature the eight remaining couples and a single elimination."

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