Allison Janney reveals her feelings regarding Tonya Harding's debut on 'DWTS'

The 58-year-old actress Allison Janney supports Tonya Harding in her latest endeavor, despite the controversy surrounding the former ice figure skater.

Janney, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for portraying Harding's mother in the film I, Tonya, said in an interview with Closer Weekly that Harding 'danced so beautifully.'

Harding appears on season 26 of the reality talent search show, Dancing With The Stars, because she wants to world to see that she can be 'ladylike' and graceful.

"I know she's always a little worried about not having the grace and the choreography, but I thought that she did. She was beautiful and graceful and so emotional."

Allison Janney, Closer Weekly, May 12, 2018.

The 10 Things I Hate About You star is excited about the all-athlete cast for season 26. She added that the "competition and expectations from viewers will be so high."

Janney is thrilled for Harding and added that 'the fresh start' would do her good. This is in reference to Harding's chequered past and controversy with fellow figure skater Nancy Kerrigan.

In the early 1990's, Kerrigan was attacked by an assailant who broke her right leg, preventing her from competing in the Winter Olympics.

Kerrigan was Harding's competitor, and it was later revealed that Harding's husband hired Kerrigan's assailant. Kerrigan couldn't compete, and Harding walked away with the gold medal.

The incident soon made headlines, and Harding appeared on the cover of major publications. Two decades later, The New York Times reported that Harding's message to the world was to "get over" the scandal.

Dancing With The Stars fans have not forgotten the incident, nor do they want to get over it. Viewers took to Twitter to express their anger at the showrunner's decision to include Harding in the latest season.

A Twitter user known as Isabelle said the series was rigged because 'there is no way people like Tonya,' while Kayla Whittaker couldn't believe that Tonya is safe for another week.

Vanessa said it 'was a terrible decision' to cast Harding and pleaded with the media to 'stop giving this woman a platform.

Dancing With The Stars airs every Monday evening on ABC Channel.