Long-time Dancing with the Stars veteran Maks Chmerkovskiy has sparked a major controversy by vehemently criticizing the show’s decision to cast Taylor Swift backup dancer Jan Ravnik as a professional, labeling the move “absurd” due to a perceived lack of ballroom foundation. This bold statement, made on his wife Peta Murgatroyd’s podcast, has ignited a fiery debate among fans and fellow pros about the core identity and standards of the beloved dance competition.
The world of professional ballroom dance and reality television collided recently when Maks Chmerkovskiy, a towering figure from Dancing with the Stars’ past, unleashed a passionate critique against the show’s latest casting choice. Speaking candidly on his wife Peta Murgatroyd’s podcast, “The Penthouse with Peta,” Chmerkovskiy declared that Jan Ravnik, a new professional dancer known for his work on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, has “absolutely no business” being a pro on the show.
This isn’t merely a matter of differing opinions; it strikes at the heart of what many long-time viewers and dance purists believe DWTS should represent. Chmerkovskiy’s remarks, particularly following Ravnik’s performance during “Wicked Night” with celebrity partner Jen Affleck, have opened up a crucial dialogue about the balance between technical expertise and mainstream appeal in the competitive dance landscape.
The Core of Maks’ Critique: A Matter of Foundation
Chmerkovskiy’s central argument against Ravnik’s role as a professional boils down to what he perceives as a fundamental lack of ballroom technique. He minced no words, stating, “There’s zero foundation, technique, quality, understanding of the partnership. Bro, I’m getting emotional. It is absurd, and this is unreal how blind we have to be and, God forbid, say what’s obviously there.”
The former pro, who competed for 17 seasons on DWTS, specifically referenced Ravnik’s Foxtrot performance. “He had no idea what Foxtrot is supposed to look like,” Chmerkovskiy claimed, highlighting the difficulty this presents when a pro is expected to teach complex ballroom styles. His frustration stemmed from the expectation that a professional should not only perform but also educate their celebrity partner in the nuances of each dance form, a task he believes Ravnik is currently ill-equipped to handle.
This sentiment was echoed by his wife, Peta Murgatroyd, also a former DWTS pro. She observed that Jen Affleck, star of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” faced a “major disadvantage” by not being taught the essential basics of ballroom dancing. As she stated on her podcast, “She’s not getting taught the base of the dance.” This suggests a broader concern that casting decisions might be compromising the integrity of the dance instruction on the show, as reported by People.
The “Taylor Swift Dancer” Factor and Show’s Responsibility
Both Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd made it clear that their criticism was not personal against Jan Ravnik himself. They acknowledged he is a “lovely guy” and “obviously a great dancer” in his own right. However, their issue lies squarely with the show’s producers and their casting philosophy. “They hired him, babe. They did it,” Murgatroyd emphasized on the podcast, as detailed by AOL. “He’s a Taylor Swift dancer. It’s the obvious reason why he is hired.”
This points to a widely held perception among fans that DWTS prioritizes popularity and external celebrity connections over strict adherence to ballroom dance expertise when selecting new pros. Murgatroyd argued that while Ravnik is talented, he should have been integrated into the show in a different capacity first, perhaps as part of the troupe, to gain the necessary ballroom foundation. “Hiring a non-ballroom dancer to teach ballroom dancing to a celebrity as a job is outrageous,” she concluded.
A Counterpoint: Cheryl Burke’s Perspective
Not everyone agrees with the fiery condemnation. Fellow DWTS alum and two-time Mirrorball champion Cheryl Burke offered a more nuanced view. Set to return as a guest judge for Halloween Week, Burke told Access Hollywood that the very fact Jan Ravnik and Jen Affleck were still in the competition more than halfway through spoke volumes about his performance.
“They’ve made it more than halfway through the competition already. That’s more than most, right? So, he’s done a great job for his first season, that’s crazy,” Burke remarked. Her perspective suggests that real-world results and audience engagement might be a more significant metric for a professional dancer on a mainstream television show than strict adherence to classical ballroom pedagogy. This highlights a fascinating tension between the show’s entertainment value and its foundational dance principles.
What This Means for DWTS and Its Future
The debate ignited by Maks Chmerkovskiy’s comments isn’t just about one new pro; it’s about the evolving identity of Dancing with the Stars itself. For a show that has, for decades, celebrated the transformation of celebrities into ballroom dancers, the question of whether its professional instructors are truly masters of the form is paramount. This controversy raises several key questions:
- Authenticity vs. Entertainment: How does DWTS balance the authenticity of traditional ballroom dance with the need for high-energy, contemporary entertainment and celebrity drawing power?
- Defining “Pro”: What qualifications should truly define a “professional” dancer on a show dedicated to ballroom? Is broader dance experience enough, or is specialized ballroom training essential?
- Fan Expectations: How do these casting choices impact the expectations of long-time fans who value technique and the challenging journey of learning ballroom?
The discussion reflects a broader trend in reality competition shows, where the lines between traditional skill and modern appeal are constantly being redrawn. As DWTS Season 34 continues, the performances of Jan Ravnik and other pros will be scrutinized more closely than ever, not just by judges but by a passionate fan base eager to see if the show can maintain its rich legacy while embracing new talent.
