Jenna Dewan’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Journey: Daughter Everly, Unfair Advantage Claims, and ‘The Rookie’ Future
Jenna Dewan has officially joined the cast of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35, which premiered on September 15, 2026, on ABC. The actress and dancer made her debut alongside Julia Stiles, but it was her emotional motivation that stole the spotlight. Sources reveal that Everly, her daughter with ex-husband Channing Tatum, was a major reason why she ultimately decided to hit the ballroom floor. In fact, Everly and other family members were seen cheering her on during the premiere, as captured by ABC News. Dewan’s fiancé, actor Steve Kazee, whom she shares a “lightning bolt” connection with, has also been a supportive figure throughout the process.
However, Dewan’s participation has sparked controversy due to her extensive dance background. Fans and fellow contestants have questioned whether she has an unfair advantage. One user, @erika_essentially_, wrote, “Isn’t Jenna practically a pro anyway?” Even ‘Dancing with the Stars’ pro Val Chmerkovskiy responded to the claims, as reported by Reality TV World. The debate intensified when DWTS judge Bruno Tonioli weighed in on the controversy over contestants with prior dance experience. Despite the criticism, Dewan’s premiere performance earned her solid scores, though she was surprisingly outscored by a reality star, according to Entertainment Weekly’s recap.
Amid the dance drama, fans are also wondering if Dewan will leave her role as Bailey Nune on ‘The Rookie’ to focus on DWTS. On September 2, Jenna addressed the question directly, revealing that she has no plans to exit the ABC series. In fact, she shared that her DWTS partner wants to make a guest appearance on ‘The Rookie.’ This crossover enthusiasm suggests Dewan is successfully balancing both commitments. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether she can overcome the “pro” label and win the mirrorball trophy, while keeping her day job intact.
Shimanta Das 
