Jen Affleck Defends Dance Partner Jan Ravnik After Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s Harsh Critique on ‘DWTS’

Jen Affleck, a current contestant on Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), has stepped forward to defend her professional dance partner, Jan Ravnik, after former DWTS champion Maksim Chmerkovskiy slammed Ravnik’s abilities and professional standing on the show. Chmerkovskiy, who has been outspoken in the past about various contestants, voiced his harsh critique on a recent podcast, sparking a heated debate among fans and fellow professionals.

Chmerkovskiy, who was a fixture on the show for 17 seasons before leaving in 2018, shared his critical thoughts on Ravnik’s performance during a conversation with his wife, DWTS pro and two-time champion Peta Murgatroyd, on the podcast The Penthouse with Peta. Murgatroyd, who has also been a voice of reason on the show, discussed some of the critiques of Affleck and Ravnik’s recent foxtrot performance, emphasizing both the positives and areas for improvement.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s Critique

While Murgatroyd attempted to balance her commentary by suggesting that Ravnik was still “learning” and deserved “grace” for his first season, Chmerkovskiy was less forgiving. “No, we do not have to give him grace. Are you kidding me?” he exclaimed, adding that Ravnik had “absolutely no business being a pro on Dancing with the Stars.”

Chmerkovskiy went on to describe Ravnik’s technique as lacking in fundamental ballroom skills, particularly calling out his understanding of the foxtrot. “There’s zero foundation, technique, quality, understanding of the partnership,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “How are you gonna expect him to teach it and deliver that message in a format that is completely different from even ballroom dancing?”

The former champion expressed frustration, claiming that Ravnik had shown little improvement since his first performances and was not receiving adequate guidance to reach the standards expected on the show. Despite clarifying that he held no personal animosity toward Ravnik, Chmerkovskiy called the dancer’s casting a “missed opportunity” and lamented that Affleck lacked the support necessary for success in the competition.

Jen Affleck Responds

In a clear rebuttal to Chmerkovskiy’s comments, Jen Affleck took to social media to defend her partner. Affleck posted a TikTok video showing herself energetically typing in the comment section, a gesture that seemed to symbolize her defiance against online criticism of Ravnik. The text in the video humorously read, “Me when anyone talks trash about Jan,” paired with an audio clip from motivational speaker Dr. Umar Johnson’s popular “Take It Down” meme, which echoed, “Take it down. Take it down. Take it down. We need it gone.”

In the video, Ravnik can be seen lip-syncing the audio, reinforcing the message that the negativity surrounding his performance was uncalled for. The playful yet pointed clip showcased Affleck’s loyalty to her partner, as well as her determination to shield him from unwarranted criticism.

Fans and Fellow Dancers Weigh In

The exchange between Chmerkovskiy and Affleck has ignited a firestorm of conversation among DWTS fans. Supporters of Affleck and Ravnik have expressed solidarity, with many noting that every dancer on the show must start somewhere and deserves the opportunity to grow. Others, however, feel that Chmerkovskiy’s harshness may have been warranted, citing the need for a higher standard on a platform like DWTS.

Peta Murgatroyd, who was part of the conversation during Chmerkovskiy’s critique, seemed to feel sympathy for Affleck, noting that her partner was at a disadvantage due to a lack of proper foundational training. “I feel bad for Jen. She’s not getting taught the basics,” Murgatroyd said, adding that this made Affleck’s journey on the show even more challenging.

The Road Ahead

As Dancing with the Stars progresses, it remains to be seen how Jan Ravnik will develop under the spotlight. His partnership with Jen Affleck, who is a fan favorite, is one of the more intriguing dynamics this season, but whether they will be able to rise to the occasion and prove their critics wrong is still in the air.

One thing is certain: the drama surrounding their performances is far from over, and it’s clear that Jen Affleck is not backing down without a fight.