Ryan Lochte Reacts to 'DWTS' Ambush: 'It's Hard'

Ryan Lochte is opening up about being ambushed during his Dancing with the Stars debut on Monday evening (September 12).

If you missed it, protesters wearing anti-Ryan Lochte t-shirts stormed the stage right after the 32-year-old swimmer danced his first dance with partner Cheryl Burke.

“It’s hard,” Ryan told E! News, adding it feels like “someone reached inside and ripped my heart out and stepped on it.”

“I’m doing good. So many feelings are going through my head right now. A little hurt. I came out here and I wanted to do something I was completely uncomfortable with, and I did,” Ryan added on air during DWTS.

Meanwhile, Cheryl reacted by telling host Tom Bergeron, “I’m hurt for Ryan. He’s sweet, he’s kind. He’s working his butt off. I hope people give him a chance.”