Jenna Dewan showcased her determination and resilience on the latest episode of *Dancing with the Stars*, performing an Argentine tango with professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy. The performance, which aired on Tuesday, 27 October, was part of the show’s special Horror Movie Night theme, but was not without its challenges due to a wardrobe malfunction.
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The actress, who is well-known for her role in *The Rookie*, faced an unexpected hiccup during her dance when her heel became ensnared in her skirt. Despite this setback, Dewan maintained her composure, embodying the show’s spirit of perseverance as she remarked, “The show goes on; you figure it out.”
Dewan expressed her fondness for the Argentine tango, calling it her favourite style to watch over the years. In an interview with *People*, she shared, “I was hoping to get it. It’s also my favourite dance I’ve done this whole season.” The pair’s performance was set to the haunting track “Uninvited” by Damned Anthem and Kendra Dantes, and Judge Derek Hough lauded it as “one of the best Argentine tangos I’ve ever seen on this floor.”
However, despite the judges’ praise and a solid score of 37 out of 40, guest judge Shirley Ballas noted the unfortunate moment when Dewan’s dress snagged her heel. Reflecting on the experience, Dewan said, “I’m a little mad that my heel got stuck on my skirt, which messed up one of my favourite moments of the dance. But that’s the thing. Show goes on, you figure it out.”
Chmerkovskiy echoed Dewan’s sentiments, recognising that every performance is a unique experience in its own right. He remarked, “You’re kinda checking off these moves as you go… Oh, what just happened? What happened? Keep going, keep going.” Despite acknowledging the mishap, he maintained a positive outlook, suggesting that it may have cost them a perfect score, but the overall performance was still commendable.
“The performance was near perfection,” Chmerkovskiy declared, confidently stating that the pair was determined to move forward positively. “If it wasn’t for that moment, maybe we would’ve potentially been looking at a perfect score, but it wasn’t meant to be. We had great scores, and we’re onto the next week with even more incentive to show up.”
This episode marked a significant moment for both Dewan and Chmerkovskiy, as it was their first time back dancing together after Chmerkovskiy’s one-week suspension from the series due to remarks made on social media. Last week, fellow professional dancer Alan Bersten had stepped in to partner with Dewan. Following his suspension, Chmerkovskiy was eager to reunite in rehearsals and get back to dancing.
“This performance felt great,” he said, expressing his excitement and gratitude to be back in the ballroom with Dewan. “We worked really hard. We really loved this dance. We were excited to perform it.”
With their return to the spotlight, both Dewan and Chmerkovskiy are clearly focused on making an impact in the weeks to come on *Dancing with the Stars*. Each week presents a fresh opportunity, and both are keen to showcase their dedication and passion for dance, with an eye on securing even higher scores in future performances.
*Dancing with the Stars* airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST/PST on ABC and Disney+, and viewers can expect more excitement and perhaps some surprises as contestants continue to navigate the challenges of the show. Dewan and Chmerkovskiy’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected obstacles, both on and off the dance floor.