Bringing the Energy
Dancing With the Stars pro Jan Ravnik is channeling his focus into bringing elevated "energy" to the ballroom for the upcoming episode. This shift in tone follows a widely discussed interaction between the dancer and host Julianne Hough during the show's "Super Bowl Night."
To lighten the mood, the 31-year-old dancer took to TikTok on Saturday, October 17. In a humorous clip, he playfully coached his celebrity partner, Tatyana Ali, on her "passion" and "footwork" in the rehearsal studio. The video parodies a 2023 viral sensation, with Ravnik captioning the post, "Going into week 6 like…"
The Backdrop of Show Drama
The lighthearted social media content arrives at a tense moment for the production. The show is currently managing the fallout from professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy's suspension from the upcoming "Dedication Night" following controversial remarks he made regarding judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Due to this development, Chmerkovskiy's partner, Jenna Dewan, will perform alongside pro Alan Bersten for the next round of competition.
Analyzing the Skybox Interaction
The buzz surrounding Ravnik’s dynamic with Julianne Hough began on Tuesday, October 13, in the show's skybox. After Ravnik and Ali received a score of 29 out of 40 for their Salsa performance, Hough questioned the pair about their plans to bring more "power" to the floor, specifically adding the caveat, "if you’re here next week."
Ravnik responded with a deadpan shrug:
«We have a dance that has no power, so I don’t know.»
While Hough laughed off the comment, suggesting that power is always present, the moment quickly gained traction among viewers. Reflecting on the exchange backstage, Ravnik joked:
«I’m gonna say, ‘Julianne, nobody’s safe. Nobody knows who’s getting fired. Maybe you will not be here next week.’»
The Contestants' Perspective
Tatyana Ali provided context to the difficulty of discussing future performances immediately after finishing a routine. She noted that when a couple is in the heat of the moment, the primary focus is on the 60 seconds just completed.
"Asking about next week when we’re up there is really hard, because I don’t even know what day it is on this day," Ali explained. "There’s nothing in your mind but that one minute, those 60 seconds that we’re on the floor."
Despite the off-camera drama, the duo expressed satisfaction with their recent score, noting their excitement over receiving an "8" from guest judge Joe Buck. Looking forward, Ali and Ravnik are preparing a emotional Viennese waltz for "Dedication Night," which will honor the memory of the actress's late Fresh Prince of Bel-Air costar, James Avery.