Step Up actress Jenna Dewan has hit back at critics who questioned her place on the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars, insisting that her extensive performance background doesn’t translate to automatic success on the ballroom floor.
Dewan, 45, was unveiled as part of the season 35 lineup this week, joining fellow celebrities including Harry Shum Jr., Julia Stiles, figure skater Amber Glenn, and chef Giada De Laurentiis. The announcement sparked immediate debate online, with fans pointing to Dewan’s history as a professional dancer — she previously backed stars like Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera before her acting breakthrough in 2006’s Step Up.
“It’s Like Learning a New Language”
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Dewan addressed the backlash head-on, drawing a clear distinction between her past experience and the demands of competitive ballroom dancing.
“I do not know how to ballroom dance. Let’s be clear. It’s two different languages,” she said. “There’s parts of my dance training that’s helpful, obviously. I’ve learned choreography, I can perform, but there is a certain sense of unlearning for me. It’s a new technique, brand new technique.”
Rather than seeing her background as an advantage, Dewan suggested it might actually work against her — adding that she felt “a little more nervous” knowing what lay ahead.
Partner Val Chmerkovskiy Stands by the Pairing
Backing up Dewan, her professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy — a three-time winner of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy — dismissed claims of unfair advantage, noting that experienced contestants aren’t unprecedented on the show.
“This is not the first time we had a contestant that had experience,” he told E! News. “She’s known for 20 years of Step Up. She had a career before that. I am really excited about the opportunity to now elevate everything she’s done and create new memories.”
He went on to stress that mastering ballroom at the highest level remains a challenge regardless of prior experience — something both he and Dewan are eager to tackle when the season premieres on 15 September.
A Fresh Challenge Worth Taking On
For Dewan, signing up for DWTS wasn’t about nostalgia or leveraging old skills — it was about pushing herself in a completely unfamiliar direction.
Speaking to E! News, she explained: “Ballroom was actually very, very challenging for me, and I wanted that challenge. That was one of the biggest reasons I wanted to come and do this. I haven’t trained this hard in so many years… to do it in a new, different way, in this way, it was the right timing.”
The season also marks a reunion of sorts for Dewan and co-star Harry Shum Jr., who appeared together in Step Up sequels. Returning judges include Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, while Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will host the two-night premiere event.
Why it Matters
As reality television continues to blur the lines between celebrity and skill, debates over fairness and authenticity grow louder. With DWTS drawing millions of viewers weekly and influencing cultural conversations around talent and merit, casting controversies like this one reflect broader questions about opportunity and representation in entertainment. Whether Dewan’s journey resonates with audiences may well depend less on her résumé and more on how compellingly she navigates the unfamiliar rhythms of ballroom — proving once again that even seasoned performers can surprise us when stepping outside their comfort zone.
