Chaz Bono: 'Dancing with the Stars critics didn't bother me'

Chaz Bono has revealed that he paid little attention to those who criticised his involvement in Dancing with the Stars.

Bono was slammed by some pundits and moral values groups, who claimed that his appearances on Dancing with the Stars could confuse young people because he is transgender.

In an interview with Reuters, the 42-year-old said that he did his best to tune out the harsh words.

"I didn't watch any of that or look at any of those things. I've been doing LGBT activism for a long time now, since 1995, and I've gone up against people like Jerry Falwell and stuff like that," he explained. "So dealing with that kind of controversy isn't really new to me, and it's pretty easy to just let it roll off my back."

His mother Cher vigorously defended Bono against transphobic comments and joked that the critics had "excess time" on their hands.

Bono went on to say that he didn't let his detractors distract him from his bid to win the Mirrorball Trophy.

"Any pressure I felt [was] because of the support that I was getting. I wanted to do a good job because I knew many people were supporting me and were there for me, and I didn't want to let anybody down," he added.

Bono, who was eliminated with partner Lacey Schwimmer in Week 6, will return to Dancing with the Stars for tonight's season finale.

Dancing with the Stars concludes tonight (November 22) at 9/8c on ABC.

> Cher: 'Chaz Bono is the same person as before sex change'
> Chaz Bono: 'I'm not bitter or angry over Dancing with the Stars exit'

Watch Chaz Bono's Dancing with the Stars elimination below: