Full Breakdown
Controversy Surrounds Jan Ravnik's Casting on Dancing with the Stars
10/29/2025, 6:32:27 AM
Criticism from Former Pros
The recent casting of Jan Ravnik, a former backup dancer for Taylor Swift, as a professional dancer on "Dancing with the Stars" has sparked significant controversy. Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a former pro on the show, publicly criticized Ravnik during an episode of his wife Peta Murgatroyd's podcast, "The Penthouse with Peta." Chmerkovskiy stated, “Jan has absolutely no business being a pro on Dancing with the Stars. There’s zero foundation, technique, quality, understanding of the partnership.” He expressed his emotional response to Ravnik's performance, particularly during the "Wicked Night" episode, where he claimed Ravnik lacked the necessary skills to teach ballroom dancing effectively.
Peta Murgatroyd, while acknowledging Ravnik's inexperience, suggested that he should be given grace as it is his first season. However, Chmerkovskiy disagreed, insisting that Ravnik's lack of understanding of the foxtrot and other ballroom techniques was unacceptable. He emphasized that hiring a non-ballroom dancer to teach ballroom dancing is "outrageous," further stating that Ravnik's casting was a "missed opportunity."
Support from Jen Affleck
In response to the backlash, Jen Affleck, Ravnik's partner on the show, defended him through a TikTok video. The video, captioned “Me when anyone talks trash about Jan,” depicted Affleck furiously typing on her phone while Ravnik mimed a popular audio clip expressing the need to remove negative comments. Affleck's post resonated with many fans, including fellow pro Ezra Sosa, who commented, “I’ll ride at dawn for this man,” showing solidarity with Ravnik.
Ravnik's Response and Upcoming Performance
Ravnik has not directly addressed the criticisms but has used social media to convey his sentiments. He shared a post featuring a lyric from Taylor Swift's song "Look What You Made Me Do," stating, “I’ll be the actress starring in your bad dreams.” This lyric choice is particularly poignant as it aligns with the defiant tone of the song and serves as a subtle rebuttal to the criticism he has faced.
The controversy surrounding Ravnik's casting has ignited a broader discussion about the qualifications of professional dancers on "Dancing with the Stars." While some fans defend Ravnik's modern dance background, others argue for a return to stricter ballroom standards. The upcoming Halloween Night episode, where Ravnik and Affleck will perform to Swift's song, is highly anticipated as viewers will be watching closely to see how the duo navigates the ongoing scrutiny.
Conclusion
The debate over Jan Ravnik's suitability as a professional dancer on "Dancing with the Stars" continues to unfold, with strong opinions on both sides. As the season progresses, the impact of these criticisms on Ravnik and Affleck's performances remains to be seen. The next episode airs on October 28, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, where audiences will witness how the duo responds to the challenges posed by their critics.
