Dancing With the Stars’ Jen Affleck Defends Partner Jan Ravnik From “Slander” Amid Pro Dancers’ Criticism
MuhammadSalis 
Jen Affleck stands up for her “Dancing With the Stars” partner Jan Ravnik after former pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd criticize his casting and ballroom skills. Read how Jen and fans reacted.
Jen Affleck Speaks Out to Defend Her Partner
Dancing With the Stars contestant Jen Affleck is standing firmly by her dance partner Jan Ravnik after he faced criticism from former show pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd.
In a TikTok video posted on October 27, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star responded to what she called “slander” against Jan, who joined Season 34 after dancing on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
In the clip, Jen pretended to angrily type on her phone while Jan, seated beside her, shook his head as audio played, “Take it down, take it down, take it down, we need it gone.” She captioned the post:
“Me when anyone talks trash about Jan.”
Adding in the description, Jen wrote, “We don’t tolerate Jan slander in this house.”
Her post quickly went viral, with fans and fellow DWTS cast members flooding the comments in support — including pro dancer Ezra Sosa, who wrote:
“I’ll ride at dawn for this man.”
Maks & Peta’s Harsh Critique
Days earlier, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd had shared strong opinions on Jan’s debut season during an episode of Peta’s podcast, The Penthouse With Peta.
“I’m sorry, Jan has absolutely no business being a pro on Dancing With the Stars,” Maks said. “There’s zero foundation technique, quality, understanding of partnership… It’s unreal how blind we have to be.”
He also criticized Jan’s “Wicked” foxtrot routine with Jen, claiming he lacked ballroom fundamentals:
“He had no idea what foxtrot is supposed to look like. How can he teach it or deliver it?”
Peta agreed with her husband’s comments, expressing sympathy for Jen:
“I feel bad for her because she’s not getting taught the basics that she needs to. He’s a Taylor Swift dancer — that’s obviously why he was hired. He’s lovely, he looks great, but hiring a non-ballroom dancer to teach ballroom is outrageous.”
Neither ABC nor Jan Ravnik has commented publicly on the criticism.
Fans Rally Behind Jen and Jan
Despite the harsh commentary, fans have rallied behind the pair, praising their chemistry and stage presence. Many viewers argue that Jan’s modern dance background brings fresh creativity and performance energy to the show.
Jen’s vocal defense reflects the growing support among the show’s fanbase for newer, non-traditional pros who add variety and innovation to ballroom formats.
Behind the Scenes: The Realities of “Dancing With the Stars”
While Jen and Jan navigate the competition, the debate has also reignited curiosity about the show’s structure — from how pros are selected to how much they’re paid.
According to Variety, celebrities on DWTS can make between $125,000 and $295,000 per season, with bonuses based on how long they last in the competition. Pros’ salaries, however, vary depending on experience and tenure.
“If you make it all the way to the end, you get paid the whole season and a bonus,” pro dancer Jenna Johnson previously shared. “Winning doesn’t mean a million-dollar prize — it’s about the trophy and the journey.”
Each week, pros and celebrities reportedly rehearse four hours daily, six days a week, while costume designers create elaborate outfits in just five days to match the weekly theme.
The Bigger Picture
Jen Affleck’s defense of Jan Ravnik highlights more than just a disagreement among dancers — it underscores a broader conversation about evolving standards in competitive reality TV.
Whether rooted in tradition or innovation, the passion both sides bring to Dancing With the Stars keeps the ballroom as dramatic offstage as it is on it.
Summary:
- Jen Affleck defends partner Jan Ravnik after criticism from Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd.
- The former pros questioned Jan’s ballroom technique and casting on DWTS.
- Fans and fellow cast members rallied behind Jen and Jan in support.
- The controversy has sparked renewed interest in how Dancing With the Stars hires, trains, and pays its pros.
