The ballroom floor of Dancing With the Stars has long been a theater of dreams, but as the show kicks off its monumental 35th season, the stakes feel higher than ever. Among the high-profile cast members stepping into the spotlight is none other than Jenna Dewan, a performer whose professional pedigree makes her a formidable contender—and whose personal motivations for joining the show have added a layer of heartfelt intrigue to the competition.
The Catalyst: Everly Tatum’s Influence
For Jenna Dewan, the decision to join the cast of Dancing With the Stars was not merely a professional choice; it was a familial one. As the mother of 13-year-old Everly Tatum, whom she shares with ex-husband Channing Tatum, Dewan found herself heavily influenced by her daughter’s genuine fandom for the long-running reality competition.
"She was a huge reason why I was so excited to do this, because she loved the show so much," Dewan exclusively told E! News’ Will Marfuggi following the September 16 premiere. The actress, who rose to fame as a professional dancer before cementing her status as an actress in the iconic dance film Step Up, admitted that she had to be careful about how she shared the news.
"We came to the finale last year," Dewan recalled. "I received the offer, and I knew if I say this too loud, she’s gonna freak out." The secrecy, however, was short-lived. Dewan recounted a candid moment in her daughter’s bedroom where Everly, displaying an intuitive grasp of her mother’s career moves, simply asked, "Did you just get offered Dancing With the Stars?"
When the confirmation finally came, the excitement was palpable. For Everly, having her mother compete on a show she admires is the ultimate thrill. This sentiment was echoed in the premiere episode, where Everly watched from the audience as her mother took the floor alongside professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy. For Dewan, who also shares two younger children—6-year-old Callum and 2-year-old Rhiannon—with fiancé Steve Kazee, the opportunity to make her children proud serves as the ultimate motivation for navigating the grueling rehearsal schedule.
The Professional’s Paradox: Navigating High Expectations
While the emotional stakes are grounded in family pride, the technical stakes for Dewan are arguably the highest in the cast. With a resume that includes touring with global superstars like Ricky Martin and Justin Timberlake, Dewan is no stranger to the demands of professional dance. However, this background brings a unique pressure—one that is self-imposed and magnified by the critical eyes of the judges.
"Of course, I feel some pressure for sure, and expectation to really bring it," Dewan noted. "But it’s also mostly my own. I just wanted to live as much as I could live and feel as good as I could feel and give the best performance."
Her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, understands this dynamic better than anyone. In a joint interview, he addressed the elephant in the room: the scoring. "I don’t want those sixes," he admitted, referring to the potential for early-season under-scoring. However, Chmerkovskiy also emphasized that the judges are right to apply a stricter lens to someone with professional training.
"Yes, it’s a dance show, but it’s also a human experience that people want to see growth," Chmerkovskiy explained. "They want to see participation. They want to see expansion of one’s abilities, and they want to see it in real time, live every single week." For a seasoned professional like Dewan, the challenge is not just executing choreography, but demonstrating a vulnerability and growth curve that resonates with the audience and judges alike.
A Season of Fierce Competition
Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars has assembled one of the most eclectic and competitive rosters in the franchise’s history. The competition is already proving to be intense, with early performances setting a high bar.
Standout performers in the opening round included Glee actor Harry Shum Jr. and Love Island star Maura Higgins, both of whom secured an impressive 21 out of 30 points. These early scores underscore the level of talent in the ballroom, where the margin for error is razor-thin.
The roster features a blend of Hollywood veterans, reality television icons, athletes, and social media influencers:
- Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa: The 10 Things I Hate About You star is proving her range beyond the silver screen.
- Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten: The celebrity chef is trading her kitchen knives for rhythmic footwork, promising to turn up the heat.
- Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson: Leveraging his background in musical theater, Shum is quickly becoming a frontrunner.
- Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart: The ’90s heartthrob is looking to recapture his youthful energy on the leaderboard.
- Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik: Bringing the charisma that made her a household name on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
- Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov: The Olympic figure skater is successfully translating her ice-bound grace to the dance floor.
- Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach: A testament to athleticism and determination, the Paralympic track and field star is a major narrative to watch.
- Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills: Following in her sister’s footsteps, Nader is bringing a new energy to the competition.
- Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold: The comedian and social media personality is looking to turn his online success into ballroom applause.
- Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman: Continuing the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives presence on the show.
- Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess: The Bachelor Nation star is swapping romance for technical routines.
- Jackson Olson & Emma Slater: The Savannah Bananas baseball star is proving that athleticism is universal.
- Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson: The late-night staple is stepping out of his comfort zone.
- Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong: The Summer House star is candidly documenting her journey toward improved stamina and fitness.
The Manifestation of Dreams
Perhaps no story is as illustrative of the show’s cultural impact as that of Maura Higgins. The Love Island UK alum revealed that her appearance on the show is the result of years of "manifestation."
"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," Higgins told E! News. She recounted how, on a lonely New Year’s Eve, she sat with a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine, refining her goals. Dancing With the Stars had been on her board for years, but she felt so committed to the dream that she added it five more times. Seeing her on the leaderboard with a 21-point score suggests that when it comes to DWTS, the power of intention—combined with rigorous training—is a potent force.
Implications: Why Season 35 Matters
The inclusion of such a diverse group of participants—ranging from Olympic athletes like Amber Glenn and Ezra Frech to seasoned entertainers like Jenna Dewan—highlights the evolving nature of Dancing With the Stars. It is no longer just about celebrities learning to dance; it is about the "human experience" of performance.
The show remains a vital platform for personal transformation. For Dewan, it is a way to bridge her past as a professional dancer with her present as a multifaceted mother and actress. For others, it is an opportunity to break out of the pigeonholes of their respective industries.
As the season progresses, the pressure will only intensify. The dancers will be expected to master styles they have never attempted, manage the fatigue of live television, and navigate the emotional highs and lows of public evaluation.
Conclusion
As the lights dim and the music starts each week, the audience is reminded that Dancing With the Stars is, at its core, a test of character. Whether it is a mother looking to impress her daughter, a chef learning the cha-cha, or an Olympian testing their physical limits, the ballroom remains the ultimate proving ground.
Jenna Dewan enters this competition with all the tools for success, but as Val Chmerkovskiy wisely noted, the true victory lies in the expansion of one’s abilities. With the eyes of her children on her and the competitive spirit of her peers driving her, Dewan is set to make this season one of the most memorable in the show’s history. The journey has only just begun, and if the premiere is any indication, the road to the mirrorball trophy will be paved with grit, grace, and an abundance of talent.
Lina Hope
Asro
Raul Delapena Setiawan
