Dancing With the Stars newcomer Jan Ravnik, a fan favorite and former Taylor Swift Eras Tour dancer, powerfully responded to veteran pro Maks Chmerkovskiy‘s scathing criticism of his casting. Ravnik channeled his inner Swiftie, quoting a pointed lyric from “Look What You Made Me Do” after Chmerkovskiy labeled his presence on the show “absurd.” This guide delves into the controversial remarks, Ravnik’s defiant clapback, and the surge of support from the DWTS community.
The ballroom of Dancing With the Stars has always been a stage for drama, both on and off the floor. This season, a significant stir has been created by comments from former pro Maks Chmerkovskiy regarding the casting of new professional dancer Jan Ravnik. Ravnik, celebrated for his dynamic performances on Taylor Swift‘s record-breaking Eras Tour, found himself at the center of a heated debate, to which he responded with characteristic flair and a nod to his pop superstar past.
Chmerkovskiy’s Controversial Critique
The controversy ignited during the Friday, October 24, 2025, episode of “The Penthouse with Peta,” a podcast hosted by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Peta Murgatroyd. Maks Chmerkovskiy, a veteran of 17 DWTS seasons, did not mince words when discussing Ravnik’s presence on the show. He declared that Ravnik has “absolutely no business being a pro on Dancing With the Stars,” going so far as to call his casting “absurd.”
Chmerkovskiy, 45, expressed strong emotional opinions, stating, “There’s zero foundation technique, quality, understanding of the partnership.” He specifically critiqued Ravnik and his celebrity partner Jen Affleck‘s foxtrot from the Wicked Night episode, claiming Ravnik demonstrated “no idea” what the dance truly entailed. His argument centered on the idea that someone unfamiliar with ballroom fundamentals cannot effectively teach it to a celebrity.
While Peta Murgatroyd, 39, attempted to offer grace, reminding her husband that Ravnik is “learning” and it’s his “first season,” Maks was resolute. He dismissed the notion of giving Ravnik grace, emphasizing his disappointment with Ravnik’s ballroom contributions. Murgatroyd herself acknowledged that Ravnik’s “obvious” hiring reason was his connection to Taylor Swift, despite her appreciation for him as a person and a dancer, echoing the sentiment that hiring a non-ballroom dancer for a ballroom teaching role was “outrageous.” This candid discussion was reported by Us Weekly, capturing the raw emotions of the former pros.
A Swiftian Clapback: “Look What You Made Me Do”
In response to Chmerkovskiy’s pointed remarks, Jan Ravnik chose an equally pointed method of communication: Taylor Swift lyrics. On Monday, October 27, Ravnik shared a photo on his Instagram Stories featuring himself and Jen Affleck during a rehearsal for DWTS Halloween Week. Over the dramatic image, Ravnik quoted a potent lyric from Swift’s 2017 hit, “Look What You Made Me Do”: “I’ll be the actress starring in your bad dreams.”
This choice was not merely a subtle jab but a significant alignment with their upcoming performance. Ravnik and Affleck, 26, were slated to perform a contemporary dance to “Look What You Made Me Do” on the Tuesday, October 28, 2025, episode of DWTS, making his social media post a brilliant piece of meta-commentary. The lyric, synonymous with Swift’s defiant reclamation of her narrative, perfectly encapsulated Ravnik’s response to the criticism.
From Eras Tour Stages to the Ballroom Floor
Before his debut on DWTS Season 34 in September, Jan Ravnik was widely recognized for his captivating performances as one of Taylor Swift‘s backup dancers on her monumental Eras Tour. This background, while showcasing immense dance talent, differs significantly from traditional ballroom training. The transition to the intricate and specific techniques required for dances like the foxtrot has been a focal point of Chmerkovskiy’s criticism and a topic of discussion among fans.
Ravnik’s experience with the Eras Tour, as detailed by Yahoo Entertainment, prepared him for massive stages and intricate choreography, but perhaps not the nuanced demands of ballroom. His participation introduces an interesting dynamic to DWTS, challenging traditional notions of what makes a “professional” on the show and sparking conversation about the evolution of dance on mainstream television. This blend of contemporary and classical dance backgrounds is precisely what makes DWTS a compelling spectacle for its diverse fanbase.
Solidarity and Support from the DWTS Community
Despite the sharp critiques from Chmerkovskiy, Jan Ravnik has not been without vocal support from within the DWTS family. On the same Monday, October 27, Jen Affleck took to TikTok to defend her dance partner. In a video titled “Me When Anyone Talks Trash About Jan,” Affleck furiously typed while Ravnik humorously mouthed along to a viral sound, “Take it down. Take it down. Take it down. We need it gone.” This lighthearted yet firm defense highlighted their strong partnership and mutual respect.
Adding to the chorus of support, fellow DWTS pro Ezra Sosa commented on Affleck’s TikTok post, emphatically stating, “I’ll ride at dawn for this man.” Such public displays of solidarity underscore the camaraderie that often forms behind the scenes of the intense competition, offering a counter-narrative to Chmerkovskiy’s criticisms.
Halloween Night: A Double Dose of Swiftie Energy
The Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Halloween Night episode of Dancing With the Stars promised to be a major moment for Jan Ravnik. Beyond his contemporary performance with Jen Affleck to “Look What You Made Me Do,” Ravnik was also set to pay a second homage to his former boss, Taylor Swift.
He and fellow pro Jenna Johnson were scheduled to perform a routine set to one of Swift’s latest tracks, “Cancelled!”—a song that itself carries a potent message of resilience and overcoming adversity. This double immersion in Taylor Swift‘s music not only thrilled Swifties watching the show but also allowed Ravnik to lean into the very connection that Peta Murgatroyd suggested was the reason for his casting, transforming it into a strength and a symbol of his unique place in the ballroom.
As Dancing With the Stars continues to air on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, the journey of Jan Ravnik remains a compelling storyline. His dedication to learning, coupled with his background in stadium-filling performances, represents a fresh perspective in the world of ballroom dance, proving that even criticism can be transformed into a powerful, Swift-inspired performance.
