Dancing With the Stars is currently confronting significant public criticism following the announcement that seasoned professional dancers Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr. will join the cast for its upcoming Season 35. Fans and long-time viewers have expressed widespread dissatisfaction, questioning the fairness of pitting individuals with extensive dance backgrounds against typically untrained celebrity contestants. The controversy highlights an ongoing debate about competitive integrity within the popular reality dance competition.
The core of the audience’s discontent stems from the show’s established format, which traditionally pairs celebrities, often with little to no formal dance experience, with professional ballroom dancers. The appeal of Dancing With the Stars has historically been rooted in witnessing these stars embark on a transformative journey, learning complex routines and improving their skills week by week. The inclusion of individuals like Dewan and Shum Jr., who have built careers in the professional dance world, is perceived by many as undermining this fundamental premise and creating an uneven playing field.
Jenna Dewan, known for her starring role in the dance film Step Up, has an illustrious career that includes working as a backup dancer for music icons such as Janet Jackson, P. Diddy, and Missy Elliott. Her credentials extend to hosting the NBC dance competition series World of Dance, where she regularly evaluated highly skilled performers. Similarly, Harry Shum Jr. gained prominence for his dynamic dance performances on the hit television series Glee and was a member of the acclaimed dance group The LXD (Legion of Extraordinary Dancers), in addition to his work as a professional backup dancer. These backgrounds present a stark contrast to the typical celebrity contestant, whose prior dance experience might be limited to music video choreography or minimal stage movement.
The backlash intensified immediately following the casting announcements. Social media platforms quickly became a forum for disgruntled viewers, with many echoing sentiments of unfairness. Comments such as, "She’s a professional dancer," and "How is this fair @dancingwiththestars?" inundated online discussions, particularly in response to clips featuring Dewan. Another viewer pointed out, "She shouldn’t be dancing..she’s a professional dancer," indicating a widespread belief that her inclusion deviates from the show’s spirit. These reactions underscore a public expectation for a level of amateurism among celebrity participants, where genuine growth and struggle are part of the narrative.
In response to the growing criticism, both Dewan and Shum Jr. have publicly addressed their professional backgrounds, seeking to differentiate their prior experience from the demands of ballroom dancing. Dewan, who will compete with longtime DWTS pro Val Chmerkovskiy, acknowledged her extensive dance history but emphasized the distinct nature of ballroom. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, she stated, "I do not know how to ballroom dance. Let’s be clear. It’s two different languages." She further explained that while elements of her training are helpful, the discipline requires a significant "unlearning" process to adapt to the specific techniques, posture, and partner work inherent in ballroom styles.
Dewan elaborated that her existing dance habits sometimes "threw me off initially" because she had to shed familiar movements and adapt to an entirely new methodology. Far from feeling advantaged, she admitted that her background actually made her "a little more nervous" precisely because ballroom feels so "foreign." This perspective suggests a desire to genuinely challenge herself rather than rely on past achievements, a sentiment she conveyed by stating, "But that was part of why I wanted to do it. I really wanted to challenge myself."
Harry Shum Jr., partnered with professional Jenna Johnson, offered a similar defense, highlighting the vast diversity within the world of dance. In an interview with People, he countered the common assumption that all dance forms are interchangeable: "I think everyone’s idea is like, ‘Oh, you dance, so you should be able to dance anything.’ And I mean, that’s just not true." He stressed the existence of "hundreds of styles" globally, each with its unique demands.
Shum Jr. further articulated to Entertainment Tonight that Dancing With the Stars presents "a whole new vocabulary" for him. He conveyed excitement for the challenge and admitted to being "very ignorant to it" regarding ballroom specifics. His reliance on partner Jenna Johnson to "teach him the ropes" underscores his position that, despite his general dance proficiency, ballroom is a distinct skill set he is actively acquiring.
The debate surrounding "ringers" is not new to Dancing With the Stars. Over its many seasons, the show has occasionally featured contestants with varying degrees of prior dance or performance experience, from gymnasts and figure skaters with exceptional body control (e.g., Simone Biles, Adam Rippon) to Broadway performers (e.g., Heather Morris, who was also a backup dancer for Beyoncé) and pop stars known for choreographed stage shows. Each instance has sparked discussions about fairness, with audiences often divided between appreciating high-caliber performances and lamenting the perceived advantage.
The casting decisions reflect a broader challenge for reality competition shows in maintaining competitive balance while also attracting high-profile celebrities who can draw viewership. Producers often weigh the entertainment value of a technically proficient performance against the audience’s desire for an underdog narrative. The inclusion of exceptionally skilled individuals can elevate the overall quality of the routines, creating more spectacular television. However, it risks alienating a segment of the audience that values the journey of the novice and the integrity of a more evenly matched competition.
This season’s controversy surrounding Dewan and Shum Jr. places Dancing With the Stars at a critical juncture. The show must navigate audience expectations for fairness alongside its goal of delivering compelling entertainment. The performances of these two dancers, and the judges’ and public’s reception of them, will undoubtedly shape future casting strategies and continue the conversation about what truly constitutes a "star" capable of "dancing" in this iconic competition. The coming season will test the show’s ability to reconcile its traditional format with the evolving landscape of celebrity talent and audience demands.
