Defending Professionalism in the Ballroom
Following recent episodes of Dancing With the Stars, judge Carrie Ann Inaba has publicly stepped in to support season 35 competitors Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy. The duo faced backlash on social media, where some viewers suggested that their performance-related intimacy crossed boundaries, given their current relationships with fiancé Steve Kazee and professional dancer Jenna Johnson, respectively.
Inaba, 58, addressed these claims directly in the comments section of an Instagram post. She emphasized the nature of the craft, stating:
«Dancers are physical beings. This is like the way we say hello. Don’t try to turn it into something it is not. Have some respect for both Jenna and Val and their partners please.»
The Perspective of Those Involved
Steve Kazee also chimed in to dismiss the negative commentary regarding the dancers. He playfully mocked the audience's mixed reactions to the pair’s performances, noting, “They don’t have chemistry. They have too much chemistry. They have chemistry in the wrong places. Make up your minds. Y’all really got too much time on your hands. 😂 the spouses are unbothered stay hatin.”
During the recent 'Mariah Carey Night,' Dewan and Chmerkovskiy delivered a rumba to "My All," securing a score of 24 out of 30 and moving safely forward in the competition. Reflecting on the taxing nature of the show, Dewan noted that while she anticipated the physical strain, the mental and emotional demands were an unexpected challenge—albeit a rewarding one.
Growth Through Struggle
Chmerkovskiy expressed pride in his partner's journey, highlighting the value of the difficult training process. He remarked on how the experience has humbled her, adding:
“It makes moments like tonight that much more triumphant and makes me that much more proud of us. Because without that hardship, you’re not gonna ever enjoy the true nectar of the fruits of your labor. We really labored for the last month and a half and tonight was the culmination of that.”
Dancing With the Stars continues to air on ABC every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.