A simmering tension on Dancing With the Stars boiled over when former pro Maks Chmerkovskiy declared Jan Ravnik’s casting as “absurd,” sparking a social media firestorm and defiant responses from Ravnik and partner Jen Affleck, highlighting a clash between traditional ballroom and modern dance credentials.
The ballroom of Dancing With the Stars, typically a stage for dazzling performances, recently became the arena for a passionate debate ignited by veteran pro Maks Chmerkovskiy’s pointed criticism of newcomer Jan Ravnik. This controversy has not only captured headlines but has also sparked intense discussions within the fan community, highlighting the evolving landscape of professional dance on the show.
The Inciting Incident: Chmerkovskiy’s Candid Comments
The friction began when Maks Chmerkovskiy, a formidable presence on DWTS for 17 seasons, took to his wife Peta Murgatroyd’s podcast, “The Penthouse with Peta,” to express his strong disapproval of Jan Ravnik’s casting as a pro. Chmerkovskiy, 45, did not mince words, calling Ravnik’s inclusion “absurd” and emphatically stating that the 30-year-old dancer has “absolutely no business being a pro on Dancing With the Stars.”
During the Friday, October 24 episode of “The Penthouse with Peta,” Chmerkovskiy elaborated on his critique, claiming that Ravnik possessed “zero foundation, technique, quality, understanding of the partnership.” His comments, which he admitted made him “emotional,” underscored a traditionalist’s view of ballroom dancing, contrasting sharply with Ravnik’s contemporary background. For a deeper dive into his initial remarks, you can refer to the coverage by Us Weekly.
Peta Murgatroyd’s Nuanced Perspective
While Maks Chmerkovskiy was unyielding in his criticism, his wife and fellow DWTS pro, Peta Murgatroyd, offered a more nuanced take. Murgatroyd, 39, initially suggested giving Ravnik “grace” as he was “learning slowly.” However, she ultimately concurred with Maks’ core argument, acknowledging that Ravnik was a “non-ballroom dancer” tasked with teaching ballroom dancing to a celebrity.
Murgatroyd highlighted what she believed was the “obvious reason why” Ravnik was hired: his connection to pop superstar Taylor Swift as a backup dancer on her globally acclaimed Eras Tour. She expressed concern that Ravnik’s partner, Jen Affleck, was at a “major disadvantage” due to not being taught the fundamental basics of ballroom dance. Murgatroyd even suggested Ravnik should have spent time in the show’s “troupe” before being promoted to a full pro.
The Dancers Respond: Swift Lyrics and TikTok Defiance
The public criticism did not go unanswered, as both Jan Ravnik and Jen Affleck quickly responded, channeling their resilience through popular cultural references and social media.
Jan Ravnik’s Taylor Swift Statement
Jan Ravnik, known for his work on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, seemed to draw directly from his past experience to address the controversy. He posted a photo of himself and Jen Affleck during a DWTS rehearsal on his Instagram stories, overlaying it with a potent lyric from Swift’s “reputation” track, “Look What You Made Me Do.” The lyric chosen, “I’ll be the actress starring in your bad dreams,” was particularly pointed, especially as the duo was slated to perform a contemporary routine to that very song on DWTS’ Halloween Night on Tuesday, October 28.
Jen Affleck’s Stance Against “Slander”
Jen Affleck, the reality TV star from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and Ravnik’s partner, also came to her pro’s defense with a cheeky video on her TikTok account. The video, posted on Monday, October 27, featured Affleck furiously typing on her phone, presumably hitting back at critics. Ravnik then appeared, mouthing along to a pre-recorded audio snippet: “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 ended the video with a pout, but her caption delivered a clear message: “We don’t tolerate Jan slander in this house!” Her defiant post quickly gained traction, with fellow DWTS pro Ezra Sosa commenting, “I’ll ride at dawn for this man,” further solidifying the support for Ravnik within the dance community. This public declaration was widely covered, including by Yahoo Entertainment.
Ravnik’s Background: A Dazzling Career Beyond Ballroom
While Maks Chmerkovskiy’s criticism centered on Jan Ravnik’s perceived lack of ballroom foundation, Ravnik’s resume speaks to a highly accomplished dance career prior to DWTS. His extensive background includes:
- Winning multiple national, European, and World champion titles.
- Being recognized twice with the Best Dancer of Slovenia award.
- Receiving an award for the Best Trainer/Choreographer from the Slovenian Olympic committee.
- His high-profile role as a backup dancer on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which garnered him significant international recognition.
These achievements underscore that while Ravnik might be a newcomer to the specific demands of ballroom technique on DWTS, he is far from inexperienced in the world of professional dance. He himself has taken the judges’ critiques in stride, joking to Us Weekly that they’re “just obsessed with me or something,” while acknowledging that as a new pro, he takes every note.
The Larger Debate: Tradition vs. Modernity in the Ballroom
The Jan Ravnik controversy taps into a broader, ongoing discussion about the evolution of Dancing With the Stars. Is the show primarily a showcase for traditional ballroom excellence, or is there room for different dance backgrounds and styles to flourish?
For traditionalists like Maks Chmerkovskiy, the essence of DWTS lies in the mastery of classic ballroom techniques. They argue that a pro’s primary role is to educate their celebrity partner in these foundational styles. However, the show has also embraced contemporary and popular dance forms, often leveraging the cultural relevance of its cast members, as evidenced by Ravnik’s casting following his Eras Tour success.
As Jan Ravnik and Jen Affleck continue their journey on Season 34, performing to songs like Bad Bunny’s “Nueva Yol” for a Salsa, Wicked’s “As Long As Your Mine” for a Foxtrot (which earned them 32 out of 40 from the judges), and Lauren Daigle’s “Rescue” for a Viennese Waltz, the fan community remains deeply engaged. The debate surrounding Ravnik’s place on the show will undoubtedly persist, fueling discussions about what it truly means to be a “pro” in the dynamic and ever-changing world of Dancing With the Stars.
