Dancing With the scarred: Ryan Lochte 'so hurt' by 'DWTS' protesters who stormed stage
It was a dance dance persecution on Monday night as two protesters targeting disgraced swimmer Ryan Lochte rushed the stage during the live premiere of Dancing with the Stars.
The protesters, both wearing t-shirts with Lochte's name crossed out, were swiftly taken down by security.
Read: Ryan Lochte Looking to Rebuild His Image on 'DWTS': 'Everyone Will See a Different Side of Me'
Lochte's foxtrot with partner Cheryl Burke went off without a hitch, but during judge Carrie Ann Inaba's critique, the protestors stormed the dance floor yelling "liar, liar" in reference to Lochte's "robbery" scandal in Rio last month.
See photos from the "Dancing With the Stars" season 23 premiere:
Security swiftly came in to neutralize the scene. The protesters were not shown on the broadcast, as ABC kept their cameras on Inaba. Other protestors wearing the same anti-Lochte shirts were also causing a ruckus in the audience.
Following the incident, Lochte told Inside Edition: "Honestly, I mean when that happened it felt like someone took my heart out and just ripped up. And I was hurt. I was so hurt."
He added: "I just need to push forward."
The two protesters taken from the dance floor have been identified as Sam Sotoodeh, 48, and Barzeen Soroudi, 40. They were removed following the incident.
See photos of Ryan Lochte:
Read: Ryan Lochte Once Attended Wild Pool Party With Prince Harry, Who Challenged Him to a Race
"Two individuals stormed the dance floor tonight and were immediately subdued and escorted out of the building," BBC Worldwide Productions, which produces Dancing with the Stars, said in a statement to CNN.
Dancer Derek Hough said he stepped in to stop the protesters as well, telling Inside Edition: "I basically kicked them out. I basically said in certain words we don't do that here.
"This is a positive environment, this is a positive place."
Watch: Loch'd Out: Ryan Lochte Losing Sponsors - and Money - in Robbery Lie Scandal
