The upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars is already generating buzz, not just for its celebrity cast, but for the backstage whispers and alleged ‘unfair advantages’ that are reportedly causing tension among contestants. As the show prepares for its September 15 premiere on ABC and Disney+, insiders reveal that the casting choices have sparked conversations about fairness and pre-existing dance experience.
Jenna Dewan’s Dance Background Sparks Controversy
A central figure in the current discussions is actress and former dancer Jenna Dewan. Having recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of her breakout role in the dance film Step Up, Dewan, 45, is set to compete on the new season with professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy. Her announcement, accompanied by an Instagram post expressing her joy at dancing again, was met with enthusiasm by many fans. However, her extensive background in dance has led to accusations of an ‘unfair advantage’ among some fellow celebrities and sources close to the production.
Dewan’s career began with years as a backup dancer for major artists like Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Missy Elliott. She later starred as Nora Clark, a talented ballet dancer, in the 2006 film Step Up, a role that significantly boosted her profile. This history has led to speculation that her professional training gives her an edge over competitors who are new to structured dance.
‘Everyone thinks Jenna Dewan has a very unfair advantage because she is a professional dancer. That is how she began her career,’ one source told the Daily Mail. ‘It’s like, “Duh, we all know she’s going to win.”‘
Addressing the backlash, Dewan clarified her position to Entertainment Tonight. ‘I do not know how to ballroom dance. Let’s be clear. It’s two different languages,’ she stated. ‘There’s parts of my dance training that’s helpful, obviously. I’ve learned choreography, I can perform, but there is a certain sense of unlearning for me.’
Her professional partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, a three-time Mirrorball trophy winner, acknowledged the expectations. He told People, ‘The world is going to have an opinion, and that’s fine and [that’s] their right, but we can also just enjoy each other and do our best and live in that gratitude.’ A source close to the situation indicated that Chmerkovskiy feels pressure to highlight Dewan’s capabilities, stating, ‘Val is feeling a lot of pressure to showcase Jenna’s skills. He’s always set on winning but, this season, he believes he has a chance again with Jenna as his partner. He’s not going to go easy on her, that’s for sure.’
Allegations of Favoritism and Connections
Further adding to the backstage chatter are concerns about potential favoritism due to personal connections. It has been noted that Dewan is reportedly good friends with judge Derek Hough, having worked together on Jennifer Lopez’s competition show World Of Dance and a 2022 ABC movie. This friendship has led some contestants to worry it might influence judging.
Another casting choice raising eyebrows is Tatyana Ali, known for her role as Ashley Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Ali, 47, starred alongside show co-host Alfonso Ribeiro, who played her brother Carlton Banks. Sources suggest that this close relationship could potentially benefit Ali, with one insider commenting, ‘They can compare notes and he can talk her up. Having that connection will help her.’
When asked about potential advantages, Ali, partnered with pro January Ravnik, told Us Weekly, ‘I haven’t even really thought about it in that way. I’m excited to be on stage with him… The last time I worked with him I was 17 years old.’
‘Fan Favorite’ Status and Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics
Beyond specific dance backgrounds, there are also alleged instances of ‘eyerolling’ behind the scenes regarding celebrities who are anticipated to become ‘fan favorites.’ This includes reality TV personalities like Ciara Miller, known from Summer House, and Maura Higgins, who gained attention on The Traitors. Their established fan bases from other shows are seen by some as a pre-determined advantage in audience voting.
Other contestants generating buzz for their potential popularity include:
- Ezra Frech: An American track and field athlete and Paralympics gold medalist.
- Tyler Cameron: A television personality and former contestant on The Bachelorette and The Real Dirty Dancing.
- Amber Glenn: An Olympic gold medalist in figure skating.
- Taylor Hanson: Musician from the band Hanson.
- Jackson Olson: A player from the Savannah Bananas baseball team.
- Guillermo Rodriguez: A comedian and personality from Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- Connor Wood: A TikTok star and comedian.
- Sarah Jane Nader: A reality star competing with a same-sex partner.
Maura Higgins, partnered with The Traitors co-star Mark Ballas, is also expected to attract significant viewer support, particularly after her experience in the finale of The Traitors.
New Talent and Producer Intentions
The season also introduces new professional dancers, including Adele Zaikman, winner of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, and Hailey Bills. Producers are reportedly using this season to gauge audience reception to new talent, with a source noting, ‘They are testing Adele and Hailey this season to see if the audience likes them.’ Longtime pro Gleb Savchenko will be absent after 12 seasons, signaling a potential shift in the professional lineup.
Veteran pro Sharna Burgess is also returning after a five-year hiatus, a move that sources suggest is intended to assess viewer interest in established professionals versus newer ones.
Producers have emphasized a desire for a highly competitive season, aiming to make season 35 one of the best yet. ‘They strategically cast certain people because they want it to be a big competition,’ a source revealed. ‘They’ve stressed this to the pros to bring their A-game and to bring competition. In fact, they prefer to have less drama this season and more competitiveness.’
As the premiere approaches, the combination of seasoned performers, new faces, and the ongoing discussions about fairness and connections promises a dynamic and closely watched season of Dancing with the Stars.
