Maks Chmerkovskiy Blasts DWTS Casting of Jan Ravnik as Pro

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a former “Dancing With the Stars” professional, has vehemently criticized the show's decision to cast Taylor Swift's backup dancer, Jan Ravnik, as a professional partner in its 34th season. Speaking on his wife Peta Murgatroyd's podcast, Chmerkovskiy asserted that Ravnik “has absolutely no business being a pro” due to a profound lack of foundational ballroom technique, quality, and understanding of partnership. He expressed deep frustration, calling the casting “absurd” and “unreal” for its disregard of obvious deficiencies in ballroom expertise.

Chmerkovskiy cited Jan and celebrity partner Jen Affleck's October 21 performance during Wicked Night, specifically their foxtrot, as prime evidence. He argued that Ravnik “had no idea what foxtrot is supposed to look like,” questioning how he could effectively teach and deliver ballroom messages in a format distinct from general dancing. While acknowledging brief flashes of skill, Chmerkovskiy noted that any initial progress quickly deteriorated in subsequent lessons.

The criticism, though sharp, was emphasized as professional rather than personal. Both Maks and Peta Murgatroyd expressed concern for Jen Affleck, believing she is at a significant disadvantage by not receiving proper instruction in the fundamental basics of ballroom dance. Peta underscored the “outrageous” nature of hiring a non-ballroom dancer to teach ballroom dancing to a celebrity. They both suspected Ravnik's casting was strategically tied to his high-profile work on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, despite him being a “lovely guy” and generally “great dancer.” This decision, they argue, represents a “missed opportunity” to provide genuine ballroom education, compromising the celebrity's learning experience and the integrity of the show's dance instruction.

(Source: https://www.lifeandstylemag.com/posts/maks-chmerkovskiy-says-jan-ravnik-has-no-business-as-dwts-pro/)