Hilaria Baldwin says she feels misunderstood by the public, calling it painful as DWTS journey continues

Hilaria Baldwin says she feels misunderstood by the public and that the feeling is painful, a sentiment she shared with The New York Post after the Dancing with the Stars season 34 premiere. Baldwin, 41, is competing on the ABC ballroom competition with partner Gleb Savchenko as her husband Alec Baldwin watches from the sidelines and her blended family cheers from home. She described the experience as a test of resilience as she navigates a high-profile life that blends family, media scrutiny and a demanding rehearsal schedule.

“We’re a very busy family,” Baldwin told The Post in a recent interview. “The Baldwins are really close. I’m excited because Ireland is going to come out and as you’ve seen from her post, she and I are very, very, very close. I know that I’m her stepmom, but she’s like my dance mom.” Baldwin added that Ireland Baldwin, 28, has started sending notes and messages her way, signaling a deeper kinship that extends beyond a traditional stepfamily dynamic. Baldwin herself has seven children with Alec Baldwin, including Eduardo, 5; María, 4; and Ilaria, 2, in addition to their older children Carmen, 12; Rafael, 10; Leonardo, 9; and Romeo, 7. The couple’s extended family has long been part of the public conversation around the couple’s private life, but Baldwin said the connections matter deeply to her as she dances.

Alec Baldwin has publicly supported his wife as she balances the demands of DWTS with a busy home life. Baldwin described her husband as a steady presence during rehearsals and performances. “He’s so supportive of this whole thing,” she said, noting that his encouragement has helped her stay grounded as she meets the pressures of competition and media scrutiny. Pro dancer Savchenko echoed that sentiment, saying the veteran actor is “a performer” in his own right and that watching him work reinforces lessons Baldwin has drawn about stage presence and storytelling.

“He’s always acting, he’s a performer,” Savchenko said of Alec Baldwin, highlighting how observing a seasoned actor can inform a dancer’s approach to performance.

Baldwin emphasized that she hopes the audience can see her beyond the headlines and misunderstandings that have followed her through the years. “So many times somebody [has] said as we got off [the stage], like, ‘Don’t worry a little bit longer and people will be able to see you,’” she recalled. “I’ve heard that in so many things. And I feel like the past 15 years I’ve been tap dancing in all different ways and all different rhythms and just being like, ‘Do you see me yet? Do you see me yet? Do you see me yet?’”

Her sense of being misunderstood has been a recurring theme in her public narrative. Baldwin told The Post that the feeling is painful at times, especially when mischaracterizations appear across social media and press coverage. Yet she stressed that dancing offers a channel to express joy and entertainment, which she hopes audiences will recognize as a sincere expression of who she is—someone who brings energy, humor and love for family to the show.

Beyond DWTS, Baldwin has been open about her personal journey with public perception. She acknowledged prior criticism surrounding what some described as a fake Spanish accent and a widely discussed kitchen moment in which she appeared to forget the English word for onions while preparing a traditional dish. She has said those moments have shaped how she approaches public conversation and how she presents her cultural identity, but she has chosen to focus on the joy she finds in performing and connecting with viewers.

The DWTS season 34 experience extends beyond the ballroom. Baldwin also hosts a podcast with her daughter Carmen, Growing Up Together, which she described as a project shaped by a busy schedule that includes rehearsals and new episodes that may arrive “any day now.” She attributed the timing to the show’s demanding treadmill, where practice, travel and production deadlines often collide with personal obligations.

As Baldwin continues her DWTS run, Alec Baldwin’s schedule is expected to keep him on the road for the foreseeable future, making the couple’s life “bi-coastal” for the time being. Baldwin said that arrangement is manageable because the family teams up to support one another, and the children have shown excitement about the potential for sisterly collaboration on screen and on the dance floor.

Viewers have been invited to vote for Baldwin and Savchenko as the competition progresses, and Baldwin hinted that a stay in the competition could hinge on audience engagement. “You’ve got to vote for us because it might just happen if we just stay in,” she teased, inviting fans to rally behind their performance.

The season-34 premiere offered a glimpse into how Baldwin is balancing the demands of a highly public life with the intimate realities of parenting and partnership. The Post’s interview captured a moment where she reflected on the pressures and the rewards of being in the spotlight while remaining tethered to a large, tightly knit family unit. As she navigates this new chapter on DWTS and beyond, she underscored a core message: despite public scrutiny, she remains grateful for the world she’s in and the people who anchor her daily life.

Baldwin also emphasized that her experience on Dancing with the Stars is about more than competition; it’s about performing with joy and bringing audiences along for the ride as she navigates the blend of fame, motherhood and identity in the public eye. Her comments reflect a broader theme in contemporary celebrity culture: that public figures are multifaceted individuals whose personal lives can shape and sometimes complicate their professional journeys. As the season unfolds, viewers will see whether Baldwin’s persistence, family support and renewed voice can help reshape the public narrative around her.

Another image from the DWTS world shows Baldwin and Ireland Baldwin together, highlighting the family ties that have become part of her public story. Their bond has been a focal point for many observers who have watched how the two navigate fame, family obligations and the shared joy of dance.

As Baldwin’s season progresses, the broader conversation around identity, culture and media representation will continue to accompany her performance on the dance floor. For now, she remains focused on entertaining audiences and staying connected to the family she describes as a constant source of support and inspiration as she dances through both public scrutiny and personal joy.