Steve Kazee Defends Jenna Dewan Against Dancing with the Stars Criticism

Kazee took to Instagram to address the commentary following a rumba performance set to Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That.” Dismissing the claims of inappropriate behavior, he pointed out the inconsistency of viewers who oscillate between accusing the pair of lacking chemistry and claiming they have too much. He urged critics to respect his fiancée and criticized the mispronunciation of her name in the circulating video.

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba also intervened in the discussion to clarify the professional nature of the performance. She emphasized that dancers are inherently physical beings and cautioned against misinterpreting professional intimacy as a romantic entanglement. This controversy arrives during a season where Dewan has already faced scrutiny regarding her professional background, with some viewers questioning if her previous dance experience provides an unfair competitive advantage. Dewan has countered these claims, noting that ballroom technique requires unlearning established habits from her past work as a backup dancer and film performer. Both Dewan and Chmerkovskiy maintain committed relationships outside the ballroom, with Chmerkovskiy married to fellow professional Jenna Johnson and Dewan engaged to Kazee since 2020.