Taylor Swift's Former Dancer Jan Ravnik Defends 'DWTS' Role Amid Critics

Jan Ravnik, known for his work as Taylor Swift's backup dancer on her Eras Tour, faced criticism from former "Dancing with the Stars" pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy and his wife, Peta Murgatroyd, who questioned Ravnik's ballroom technique and suitability as a professional dancer on the show. Chmerkovskiy called Ravnik's casting a "missed opportunity," citing a lack of foundation and partnership understanding, a sentiment echoed by Murgatroyd, who suggested his hiring was due to his association with Swift. Despite the harsh critiques, Ravnik responded by emphasizing the positive support he received from judges, fellow pros, and fans, and declined to engage with the negativity, while his dance partner Jen Affleck humorously defended him. Ravnik and Affleck were eliminated from the competition after performing a contemporary dance to Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do," receiving mixed scores but ultimately the lowest combined total. Fans of Ravnik rallied in his defense on social media, praising his performances and questioning the fairness of the criticism. The controversy highlights tensions within the dance community about professional credentials versus popular appeal, with Ravnik maintaining focus on the love and praise he earned during the show.