Why Jenna Dewan Wasn't "Bitter" About Val Chmerkovskiy's Suspension
Jenna Dewan Claps Back at Claim Being a “Know It All” Got Her Eliminated From DWTS
Jenna Dewan didn’t let Val Chmerkovskiy’s misstep keep her from savoring every moment in the ballroom.
While looking back at her experience on Dancing With the Stars after her and her pro partner’s Nov. 10 elimination, the Step Up actress addressed Chmerkovskiy’s suspension, detailing how it impacted her in the weeks that followed.
“I said this, and I really mean this, that I did not foresee having as many challenges as I did that were thrown at me during my Dancing with the Stars journey,” Dewan told Women’s Health in an interview published Nov. 13. “However, the challenges of it gave me an opportunity to walk my talk, and I always think that when that happens, you can go back to your true north, to what’s your intention for doing something.”
The Rookie actress —mom to Everly, 13, with ex Channing Tatum as well as Callum, 6, and Rhiannon, 2, with fiancé Steve Kazee—recalled asking herself, “How do you want to show up as a human when you’re experiencing challenges?”
“I kept going back to my kids,” she continued. “When the mid-season suspension happened, and all these things were going on, I thought, ‘I have a real opportunity here. I can be annoyed and bitter and upset about this, or I can show up with grace and love and joy and focus on the moment.’”
ICYMI, Chmerkovskiy was suspended from DWTS for one week after he seemingly referenced Will Smith's 2022 Oscars slap in response to judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s critique of wife Jenna Johnson's Samba routine.
As a result, the 40-year-old wasn’t allowed to participate in the following week’s Dedication Night, with pro Alan Bersten dancing with Dewan in his absence.
But despite her partnership with Chmerkovskiy briefly going off beat, Dewan put her focus into her emotional performance for the Oct. 20 episode, performing a Viennese Waltz to The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” which she dedicated to her mom Nancy Lee Bursch.
Disney/Christopher Willard
“That particular week was about my mom and my dedication to her,” Dewan explained. “And she was in town, thrilled to have this dance with me, and thrilled to experience this moment."
She added, “And I thought that this is something she's going to remember. We're all going to remember my family forever. Let's focus on that, and let's not worry about all of this that's going on.”
And though the 45-year-old was ultimately eliminated from DWTS, with the results coming as a shock to many as she and Chmerkovskiy were frontrunners, she’s grateful for the amazing step up in her dancing experience.
“Getting to share my joy with my family, who's over here every single night—thank you, my baby—I had a great time,” Dewan shared, referring to Kazee. “And I loved getting to share that with the world. Honestly, all love.”
As DWTS spins into the semi-finals, keep reading for a closer look at the cast of season 35…
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
The 10 Things I Hate About You star had her last dance with her pro partner during Nov. 2's Disney Night.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten
The celebrity chef couldn't cha-cha-chop away the competition and was eliminated during the Sept. 22 episode.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson
What did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart
Sadly, the former '90s teen heartthrob did not MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35. He and his pro partner were axed from the competition on Sept. 29.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
Twenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer stepped up—and out—when she got cut from the competition in a shocking Nov. 10 elimination.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
The 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach
The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills
Though her sister Brooks Nader was the fifth star to be eliminated on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star said goodbye to the competition after her debut episode on Sept. 16.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold
The comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star followed his wife Whitney Leavitt's footsteps after her season 34 appearance, but he bid farwell to the season 35 competition during the Sept. 15 premiere.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
Though the Bachelor Nation star traded in roses for rumbas, he was sent home on Oct. 27 in a double elimination.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
The Savannah Bananas baseball player stepped up to the plate, but struck out on Oct. 27 in a double elimination.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star was ready to learn some new moves, but his time on DWTS was cut short on Oct. 13.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
Even though Summer House star had fans screaming "bravo," she was eliminated from the competition on Oct. 6.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
The Love Island U.K. alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience.
"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
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