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Bristol Palin Threat Under Investigation, but She's Doing Great!

Family friend confirms Dancing With the Stars finalist was target of an "implied threat"

By Natalie Finn Nov 22, 2010 11:30 PMTags
Bristol Palin, DWTSAdam Larkey/ABC

America apparently takes its cha-chas and sambas very seriously.

The FBI is already investigating how an envelope containing white powder got to the Dancing With the Stars studio last week. And now we've confirmed that Bristol Palin has been the target of threats.

A Palin family friend exclusively tells E! News, "There was an implied threat to Bristol. It is being reviewed and investigated. Bristol is fine. She is naturally optimistic and happy."

The 19-year-old single mom has already proved she's resilient, overcoming lagging scores and widespread criticism—both on camera and off—to end up in tonight's Dancing final along with Jennifer Grey and Kyle Massey.

A letter containing a white powdery substance that turned out to be talcum powder was found in the DWTS production office at CBS Studios on Friday. It was immediately assumed that Bristol was the intended recipient, but investigators haven't confirmed whether the envelope was specifically addressed to her.

Her strong showing has made for quite the controversy, with fans of both Bristol and her mom obviously doing their darndest to keep her in the competition, and a variety of naysayers attributing her rise to a Tea Party conspiracy

—Additional reporting by Kathleen Rhames

MORE: Karina Smirnoff says Bristol Palin "could totally win"