Seasoned pro voices concern over casting in DWTS
Former Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) pro Maks Chmerkovskiy has spoken out about the show’s decision to cast Jan Ravnik, a dancer associated with Taylor Swift’s touring entourage, as a pro. In a recent appearance on The Penthouse with Peta, Chmerkovskiy argued that Ravnik “absolutely has no business being a pro” on the long-running competition series. His comments reverberated across DWTS communities and sparked renewed conversation about what the show seeks in a ballroom pro.
What Chmerkovskiy sees as missing in the casting
Chmerkovskiy, who joined the series on its second season and competed in 17 seasons, asserted that Ravnik lacks the foundational elements valued by traditional ballroom—technique, partnership understanding, and a sense of the foxtrot’s language. “There’s zero foundation, technique, quality, understanding of the partnership,” he said. His remarks underscored a broader debate among fans and former contestants about the balance between cross-disciplinary dance talent and conventional ballroom credentials on DWTS.
During the discussion, the pro highlighted a moment from Wicked Night on October 21 where he felt Ravnik misrepresented the dance form. “He had no idea what foxtrot is supposed to look like,” Chmerkovskiy claimed, adding that the format of ballroom competition requires instructors to translate its subtleties to celebrities who may have limited dance experience. He questioned whether the show’s format can even accommodate a dancer with Ravnik’s background, suggesting that more education and clarity for the cast would benefit viewers and participants alike.
Response from peers and the broader DWTS community
Podcast host and fellow former DWTS pro Peta Murgatroyd weighed in, describing Ravnik’s hiring as outrageous given the standard expectations for ballroom technique. “They hired him. He’s a Taylor Swift dancer. It’s the obvious reason why he is hired,” Murgatroyd noted, while also acknowledging Ravnik’s positive attributes as a performer. The discussion underscores a broader tension within DWTS: the recruitment of non-traditional dancers for a show rooted in ballroom history and technique.
Ravnik, who joined DWTS in Season 34 and is paired with Jen Affleck, has supporters who argue that exposure to different dance styles can broaden the show’s appeal. Yet critics like Chmerkovskiy contend that a successful pro must first master the core vocabulary of ballroom and then translate it to celebrity partners in a compelling way. The ongoing debate reflects DWTS’s evolving identity as it blends contemporary dance influences with its established roots.
What this means for the future of DWTS casting
Whether or not viewers agree with Chmerkovskiy’s stance, the exchange highlights how casting decisions shape audience expectations. The show has long balanced celebrity pairing with professional prowess, and the Ravnik controversy is prompting producers to revisit how they define a “pro” on a show that blends entertainment with technical precision. In the end, the success of any DWTS season hinges on clear communication: from the judges’ feedback to the instructors guiding celebrity contestants.
For fans, the conversation isn’t just about one dancer; it’s about preserving the show’s legacy while remaining relevant in a crowded reality-dance landscape. The Ravnik discussion may push the producers to offer more explicit coaching resources and to ensure that all pros can effectively convey ballroom technique to a television audience.
