Jan Ravnik is taking center stage on “Dancing with the Stars” amidst a wave of criticism from former contestants. After receiving harsh feedback suggesting he “has absolutely no business being a pro” dancer on the show, Ravnik showcased his skills by dancing to Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.”
The controversy erupted during an episode of the podcast “The Penthouse with Peta,” hosted by Peta Murgatroyd alongside her husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy. When discussing performances from “Wicked Night,” Chmerkovskiy expressed his frustration with Ravnik’s technique, stating, “There’s zero foundation, technique, quality, understanding of the partnership.” He emphasized that Ravnik seemed unfamiliar with ballroom dancing fundamentals, prompting a strong response from the audience.
As a respected dancer in the Swift community, Ravnik is partnered with Jen Affleck from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” Following the backlash, Affleck utilized TikTok to defend her partner, posting a video captioned, “Me when anyone talks trash about Jan,” while showing her readiness to respond to critics.
Fellow professional dancer Ezra Sosa also expressed his support for Ravnik, stating, “I’ll ride at dawn for this man.” In a lighthearted moment, Ravnik shared his thoughts, humorously urging, “Take it down. Take it down. Take it down. We need it gone. That doesn’t represent me or what we need to be doing.” Affleck echoed this sentiment with the caption, “We don’t tolerate Jan slander in this house!”
The duo is set to showcase their routines again during “Halloween Night,” performing to Swift’s empowering anthem, which reflects themes of resilience and reclaiming one’s power in the face of adversity. Ravnik teased their upcoming performance with a screenshot featuring the lyric, “I’ll be the actress starring in your bad dreams.”
This much-anticipated episode is scheduled to air on October 28 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on ABC, promising to deliver both talent and drama amid the ongoing controversy. Fans are eager to see how Ravnik and Affleck channel their experiences into a powerful performance that emphasizes perseverance and artistry.