Jenna Dewan Claps Back at DWTS Critics Calling Out Her 25-Year Dance Background

Jenna Dewan is not letting the online noise dull her sparkle before she even steps foot onto the famous dance floor. The former *Step Up* star has officially addressed the growing chatter surrounding her extensive background in movement as she prepares for her run on *Dancing with the Stars*. Critics were quick to point out that having more than 25 years of dance experience might give the actress an unfair edge over her fellow contestants. Now paired up with seasoned ballroom pro Val Chmerkovskiy, Dewan isn't running away from her resume. Instead, she is meeting the scrutiny head-on while gearing up for the rigorous competition ahead.

Addressing the potential advantages, reports indicate that Dewan views ballroom as an entirely separate discipline from her previous training. While she has spent decades performing, learning specific technical styles like Latin routines and standard ballroom frameworks requires starting from scratch in many key ways. The Hollywood staple built her early career as a professional backup dancer, performing alongside legendary pop acts before taking center stage in the iconic 2006 dance movie *Step Up*. That history has led some viewers to question whether her inclusion strays from the show's spirit of taking novice celebrities and turning them into ballroom dancers.

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The debate over professional experience is nothing new for long-time viewers of the hit reality series. Over the past several seasons, former Broadway stars, gymnasts, and pop performers have regularly faced public backlash for taking part in the competition despite having prior training under their belts. For Dewan, the challenge isn't just about showing off what she already knows, but adapting her body memory to intricate partner routines and strict ballroom posture. Moving in tandem with a professional partner under live television lights brings a unique level of pressure that no amount of studio time can fully prepare someone for. Despite the commentary, Dewan remains laser-focused on the grueling rehearsal schedule alongside Chmerkovskiy. She is taking the ballroom stage with the mindset of a newcomer, ready to learn new techniques and put in the hard work necessary to impress both the judges and the voters at home every single week.