Jenna Dewan is set to make a change in her ‘Dancing with the Stars’ routine following the suspension of her professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy. Instead, she will be performing with Alan Bersten in the upcoming episode scheduled for October 20.
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Dewan’s fiancé, actor Steve Kazee, has publicly voiced his support for her during this time. The 50-year-old actor shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, posting a picture of Dewan accompanied by the caption, “Everytime I think I can’t love you more, your grace, your class, and your heart prove me wrong.” He added a motivational note saying, “You got this baby! We got you.”
The actress and dancer, who is 45, will showcase a Viennese waltz during the episode, honouring her mother, Nancy, through her performance to The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody.” This special routine coincides with the show’s Dedication Night.
Alan Bersten, who has previously faced elimination alongside his partner, chef Giada de Laurentiis, will partner with Dewan for this significant performance. His unexpected appearance on the show is a result of Chmerkovskiy’s unprecedented one-week suspension due to remarks made on social media.
Chmerkovskiy attracted attention and controversy with a since-deleted Instagram post where he took issue with judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s comments regarding his wife, Jenna Johnson, following her latest performance with partner Harry Shum Jr. In this post, he referenced the infamous Oscars incident involving Will Smith, suggesting that emotions were running high.
The suspension marked the first of its kind for a professional dancer on ‘Dancing with the Stars’. In an Oct. 17 update, Chmerkovskiy acknowledged his mistake, explaining that his instinct to defend his wife led him to make an inappropriate reference. He expressed regret, stating that it was never his intention to cause distraction during an important week for competitors, particularly for Dewan, who he called “incredible.”
Chmerkovskiy took further steps by reaching out to Inaba to extend an apology. He articulated that he did not wish to overshadow Dewan’s efforts in the competition with his actions. His commitment to clear the air indicates his respect for both the judges’ roles and his partner’s hard work.
Amid this turmoil, Kazee has also stood up for Dewan, addressing viewers who claimed she exhibited inappropriate chemistry with Chmerkovskiy during their performances. He responded to critics on social media, suggesting that the perception of their chemistry was misguided and emphasising that Dewan and Chmerkovskiy have strong professional dynamics rather than anything inappropriate. He reassured fans that “the spouses are unbothered,” urging critics to redirect their energies elsewhere.
‘Dancing with the Stars’ continues to captivate audiences each week with its mix of dance, emotion, and competitive spirit. For fans eager to see how Dewan handles this unexpected shift, the next episode airs on Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST/PST on ABC and is also available for streaming on Disney+.