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Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
Entertainment
Tracy Swartz

How ex-Chicago forecaster handles 'Dancing with the Stars' criticism

May 09--Former Chicago meteorologist Ginger Zee earned the first perfect score this season on "Dancing with the Stars," but she told People magazine she has felt hurt reading some social media comments about her presence on the show.

"'You've taken away this precious time with your child because you want to dance,'" Zee recalled one of the messages saying. "And, like, the way it was written, I'm like, 'No...'"

Zee, who worked for WMAQ-Ch. 5 from 2006-2011, gave birth to her first child, son Adrian Benjamin, in December. The "Good Morning America" meteorologist says she handles these comments differently now that she's a mom.

"(Critics) could say whatever they want to me, call me ugly and stupid, and I'm like, 'Alright,'" said Zee, 35. "But when you're a mom, I'm like, 'Wait, no, no, I'm really trying here!'"

Zee and professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy are among the six pairs competing for the mirror ball trophy on Season 22 of "Dancing with the Stars," which airs 7 p.m. Mondays on ABC.

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