Raising Questions After a High-Profile Casting
Former Dancing with the Stars pro Maks Chmerkovskiy has publicly questioned the casting choice that brought Jan Ravnik, a dancer associated with Taylor Swift, onto the long-running competition. In a recent appearance on The Penthouse with Peta podcast, Chmerkovskiy asserted that Ravnik “absolutely has no business being a pro” on DWTS, citing concerns about foundation, technique, and the ability to teach and partner effectively on the show.
The controversy centers on Ravnik’s role in Season 34, where he is paired with Jen Affleck. Chmerkovskiy’s comments reflect a broader debate among fans and former competitors about what the show values in its pro dancers and how that translates to teaching celebrities with varying levels of dance experience.
What Chmerkovskiy Said About Ravnik’s Technique
During the podcast, the choreographer and former pro emphasized that a pro dancer on DWTS should demonstrate a solid grasp of technique and an understanding of partnership. He described Ravnik’s performance during “Wicked” night as emblematic of a larger issue, claiming that Ravnik “had no idea what foxtrot is supposed to look like.” These remarks were not only about individual execution but also about the show’s ability to convey the essence of ballroom dancing to a celebrity audience.
“There’s zero foundation, technique, quality, understanding of the partnership,” Chmerkovskiy said, according to the episode’s highlights. He added a personal note, admitting he was moved by the moment and urging clarity for both the public and participants: “Bro, I’m getting emotional. It is absurd, and this is unreal how blind we have to be.”
The Debate Over Casting: Talent vs. Star Power
The discussion quickly shifted from a critique of Ravnik’s individual skills to a broader conversation about what drives casting on DWTS. Peta Murgatroyd, a fellow former pro and podcast host, joined the conversation and weighed in on the decision to hire Ravnik. She described the casting as “outrageous” and argued that hiring a non-ballroom dancer to teach ballroom dancing to a celebrity is a mismatch of expectations.
“They hired him. He’s a Taylor Swift dancer. It’s the obvious reason why he is hired,” Murgatroyd remarked, clarifying that her concern lay in the mismatch rather than a personal judgment of Ravnik’s character. “Apart from that, he’s a lovely guy. He looks great. He obviously is a great dancer. Hiring a non-ballroom dancer to teach ballroom dancing to a celebrity as a job is outrageous.”
Responding to a Pro-Wrest-your-Own-Opinion Moment
Chmerkovskiy made clear that his critique is not a personal attack on Ravnik as a person. He said he has “zero against” Ravnik but labeled the casting as a “missed opportunity” for the show to select a pro with a proven track record in ballroom technique. The exchange underscores a tension within DWTS between star power, reality-television narratives, and the technical demands of the competition.
As DWTS continues with Season 34, viewers watch to see whether Ravnik’s presence will evolve into a teachable moment for viewers or a missed opportunity, as suggested by one of the show’s most prominent alumni. The ongoing conversation highlights how much fans and former pros care about the integrity of dance instruction on a platform with millions of eyes.
What This Means for the Show’s Future Casting
Industry observers say that conversations about casting aren’t rare in the realm of reality-dance shows. The debate touched on expectations for the balance between celebrity appeal and technical authenticity. While Ravnik may bring star-associated attention and performance energy, critics worry that fundamental dance technique and partnership storytelling could suffer without a dancer with an established ballroom foundation.
Whether DWTS will respond with changes behind the scenes remains to be seen. For now, the dialogue continues among fans, former dancers, and new pro hopefuls—an ongoing reminder that the show’s success depends as much on technical precision as it does on televised charisma.
