Jenna Dewan addresses criticism surrounding her casting as a contestant on “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35. After the show announced its lineup, some viewers questioned whether Dewan—known for dance roles including work as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson—should be paired with a ballroom format.
Multiple outlets report that Dewan and her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, respond to the backlash publicly. Dewan is described as saying she does not know how to ballroom dance, framing her participation as part of the competition’s challenge rather than as a claim of established expertise. Chmerkovskiy also takes issue with commentators he says are attacking Dewan. The reports indicate the responses are aimed at “haters” and the broader skepticism that followed the season’s announcement.
While outlet emphasis differs, the central point across coverage is that Dewan’s entry into the show triggers debate among fans, and both she and her partner counter those doubts with statements about her dance background and her approach to the ballroom-style competition.
