Jenna Dewan Faces Backlash Over Dancing With the Stars Casting

Dewan, known for her breakout role in the 2006 film Step Up, insists that her background in commercial dance does not translate to the ballroom floor. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, she characterized the two disciplines as entirely different languages, noting that she is currently tasked with unlearning previous habits to master the show's specific techniques. Her partner, professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, acknowledged the high expectations surrounding their team but emphasized that their success will rely more on their human connection than any prior training.

While the criticism persists, Dewan is not the first contestant to enter the competition with significant movement experience. Previous seasons have featured performers with professional backgrounds, including Broadway veteran Amanda Kloots, Glee actress Heather Morris, and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, who ultimately won the title. Dewan maintains that she joined the program primarily to challenge herself in a field that feels genuinely foreign to her. The series is scheduled to debut its latest season with a two-night premiere on September 15 and 16.