‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pro Jan ravnik Receives Support From Jennifer affleck Following Criticism From Former Star Maks Chmerkovskiy
Jennifer Affleck publicly defended her Dancing With the Stars partner, Jan Ravnik, after former pro Maks Chmerkovskiy sharply criticized Ravnik’s technique and teaching ability. The exchange, sparked by comments on Chmerkovskiy’s wife Peta Murgatroyd‘s podcast, The Penthouse with Peta, has ignited a debate within the DWTS community and drawn support for Ravnik from current pros.
Chmerkovskiy, speaking on the October 24th episode of the podcast, stated, “I’m sorry, Jan has absolutely no business being a pro on Dancing with the Stars. There’s zero foundation,technique,quality,understanding of the partnership.” He further claimed Ravnik “had no idea what [the] foxtrot is suppose to look like” and questioned how he could effectively teach the dance. These remarks followed Murgatroyd’s initial offer of “grace” to Ravnik, acknowledging it was his first season as a professional.
affleck responded to the criticism via TikTok, posting a video on October 26th where she mimed angrily typing on her phone with the caption, “Me when anyone talks trash about Jan.” Ravnik appeared alongside her, gesturing that the anger was unproductive. DWTS pro Ezra Sosa, partnered with Jordan Chiles, commented on the TikTok video, offering his support: “I’ll ride at dawn for this man.”
The incident highlights the competitive atmosphere surrounding Dancing With the Stars and the scrutiny faced by its professional dancers.As the season progresses, the dynamic between the pros and their celebrity partners-and the commentary from former cast members-will likely remain a focal point for fans.
