Jaleel White Lost 16 Lbs. onDancing with the Stars: 'I'm Pretty Coordinated'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jaleel White (left) in 2011; (right) in 2022 in Los Angeles.Photo:Amanda Edwards/FilmMagic; Phillip Faraone/Getty

Amanda Edwards/FilmMagic; Phillip Faraone/Getty

Jaleel Whitesays he lost 16 lbs. during his 2012 run onDancing with the Stars, explaining that he was able to nail the complicated moves with partnerKym Johnson.

During the Dec. 10 episode ofLance Bass’s podcastFrosted Tips,White and Bass, who was onDWTSin 2008, sounded off on the challenging nature of the reality competition.

“It’s something that no one will understand: How freaking hard that was — unless you were on that show,” the ‘Nsyncalum said. “I haven’t met half the contestants on that show, but if I saw them on the street, I’d be, like, give them the biggest hug, be like. ‘I know. I know.’ ”

(Left) Jaleel White; (right) Lance Bass.Santiago Felipe/Getty; Michael Buckner/WWD via Getty

Santiago Felipe/Getty; Michael Buckner/WWD via Getty

“I lost sixteen pounds during that show!” theFamily Mattersalum, 48, said. “I came prepared to dance. I’m like, I’m an athlete, I’m gonna figure this out.”

White later shared that withDancing with the Stars, “When they bring you on the show, they bring you on the show for a character reason, and they thought that I would be, like, there for comic relief … I always [am] light and funny, whatever, because that’s just you know, who I try to be.”

But he didn’t expect to be so good at dancing.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Lance Bass performs with Kym Johnson on “Dancing with the Stars.".Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

“I’m not flopping around all over the floor like a fish, you know,” White, who released his memoir,Growing Up Urkelthis year, said. “I’m a pretty coordinated, dude. I love sports.”

Bass said he felt the same.

“It’s so intimidating to be around people that are so good,” Bass agreed. “It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, I feel inferior.’ ”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

source: people.com