‘Dancing With the Stars’ Alum Criticizes Pro Dancer, Sparks Defense from Partner Jen Affleck
Dancing With the Stars competitor Jen Affleck publicly defended her professional dance partner, Jan Ravnik, today after former show contestant Maksim Chmerkovskiy sharply criticized Ravnik’s skills and qualifications.
Chmerkovskiy, a 17-season veteran of the show and winner in 2014, voiced his concerns during a recent episode of the podcast “The Penthouse with Peta,” hosted by his wife, Peta Murgatroyd. The discussion arose while analyzing Affleck and Ravnik’s foxtrot performance from last week’s “Wicked”-themed night. Chmerkovskiy stated, “I’m sorry, Jan has absolutely no business being a pro on Dancing with the Stars. There’s zero foundation, technique, quality, understanding of the partnership.” He added that Ravnik’s casting was “a missed opportunity” for Affleck, leaving her without adequate guidance.
Murgatroyd attempted to offer a more measured perspective, noting Ravnik is in his first season and “we have to give him grace for not understanding foxtrot technique.” However, Chmerkovskiy vehemently disagreed, saying, “No, we do not have to give him grace.” He expressed frustration that his critiques, which he said he shared weeks ago, hadn’t been addressed, and that Ravnik’s initial progress had stalled. This controversy highlights the high standards and competitive nature of professional ballroom dancing, as explored by Britannica.
Affleck responded to the criticism with a TikTok video posted earlier today, depicting her fiercely defending Ravnik online. The video featured the “Take It Down” meme, with Ravnik lip-syncing the phrase “Take it down,” signaling her disapproval of the negative comments. The incident comes as the show navigates increased scrutiny of its judging and casting decisions, impacting fan engagement and online discourse. You can find more information about the current season of Dancing With the Stars on the official ABC website.
Representatives for Dancing With the Stars have not yet commented on the situation, but producers are expected to address the matter internally.
