Jenna Dewan Breaks Silence on Val Chmerkovskiy’s DWTS Suspension After Shocking Elimination
Jenna Dewan is finally opening up about one of the most talked-about moments of her Dancing With the Stars Season 35 journey. Following her unexpected elimination alongside professional dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy, the actress has shared how she handled his mid-season suspension and the challenges that came with it.
In a new interview with Women's Health, published November 13, Dewan reflected on the emotional experience of competing on the ABC dance competition. Rather than allowing the controversy to affect her performance, she said she chose to focus on positivity, her family, and the reason she joined the show.
Dewan and Chmerkovskiy were eliminated during Grammy Night on November 10, just ahead of the semifinals. Their departure surprised many viewers, as the pair had been considered strong contenders for the Mirrorball Trophy.
Jenna Dewan Chose Grace Over Anger During Val’s Suspension
Looking back on her time in the ballroom, Dewan admitted that she faced more unexpected challenges than she had anticipated.
She explained that those difficult moments gave her an opportunity to reflect on her values and decide how she wanted to respond when things did not go as planned.
"When the mid-season suspension happened, and all these things were going on, I thought, 'I have a real opportunity here. I can be annoyed and bitter and upset about this, or I can show up with grace and love and joy and focus on the moment,'" Dewan shared.
The actress said she kept returning to the thought of her children and the example she wanted to set for them. Instead of allowing frustration to take over, she decided to make the most of her experience.
Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension Changed Dedication Night
Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one week by BBC Studios, the production company behind Dancing With the Stars, following controversial social media comments involving judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
The suspension meant he could not perform with Dewan during the show's Dedication Night episode.
Professional dancer Alan Bersten stepped in as Dewan's temporary partner for the evening. The actress dedicated her performance to her mother, making the episode especially meaningful for her family.
Jenna Wanted Her Mother to Remember the Special Performance
Dewan explained that her mother's presence made Dedication Night far more important than the controversy surrounding the show.
Her mother was in town and excited to watch her perform. Dewan wanted the evening to remain a special family memory rather than become overshadowed by the suspension.
She said she chose to concentrate on the dedication and the experience she was sharing with her mother.
For Dewan, the performance became an opportunity to celebrate someone important in her life while keeping the surrounding drama out of focus.
Jenna Dewan Reflects on Her DWTS Elimination
Despite delivering strong performances during Grammy Night, Dewan and Chmerkovskiy were eliminated on November 10.
The result came as a surprise to many fans, particularly because the pair had earned one of the night's top scores and won their dance-off.
In her interview, Dewan described the competition as an emotionally and physically demanding experience. She said she felt proud of what she had accomplished, even though she was disappointed that her ballroom journey had ended.
She also reflected on the criticism and online discussions surrounding her participation, acknowledging that the experience was not always easy.
DWTS Season 35 Moves Toward the Semifinals
Although Dewan and Chmerkovskiy are no longer competing, Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars continues toward its finale.
The season's semifinal episode is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Fans are now waiting to see which remaining couples will secure their places in the final competition.
