Jenna Dewan is stepping back into the world of dance. The actress and longtime dancer has officially joined Dancing with the Stars Season 35, where she will compete alongside professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Her casting has immediately caught attention because Dewan's connection to dance goes far beyond being a celebrity contestant. For millions of fans, she remains closely associated with the 2006 dance movie Step Up—the film that helped make her a household name.
From Step Up to the DWTS Ballroom
Dewan rose to mainstream fame with Step Up, starring as Nora Clark opposite Channing Tatum. The movie became an important part of her career and helped establish her as a recognizable face in dance-driven entertainment.
Now, exactly 20 years after Step Up, Dewan is returning to a dance-centered spotlight—this time on one of television's biggest dance competitions.
During an appearance on Good Morning America, Dewan confirmed that fans can expect some Step Up references during her time on the show.
“We have to, right? We have to. For sure.”
She also pointed out that 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Step Up, making her DWTS appearance particularly meaningful.
But Ballroom Dancing Is a Different Challenge
Despite her extensive dance experience, Dewan isn't treating the competition as an easy ride.
She explained that ballroom dancing is very different from the styles she has previously performed. Instead of simply relying on her existing skills, she has had to adapt to a completely different dance discipline.
According to Dewan, learning ballroom has involved almost “unlearning” some of what she already knows.
That makes her DWTS journey particularly interesting: she may have years of dance experience, but she is still entering unfamiliar territory and learning alongside a professional partner.
Jenna Dewan Was a Professional Dancer Before Hollywood
Before becoming known primarily as an actress, Dewan was already an accomplished dancer.
She worked as a backup dancer for major stars including Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott and Christina Aguilera. Her professional dance background eventually led her toward acting, with Step Up becoming her breakthrough role.
Dance has remained an important part of her career. She later hosted World of Dance and appeared as a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance.
So, unlike many DWTS celebrities who are learning dance from scratch, Dewan enters Season 35 with a substantial dance background—but ballroom presents a new technical challenge.
From Actress to DWTS Competitor
Dewan has continued working in television and film since Step Up. Her credits include appearances in shows such as American Horror Story, Supergirl and The Mindy Project.
She currently stars in ABC's The Rookie, meaning her DWTS appearance adds another major project to an already active career.
Her The Rookie castmates are apparently already excited to watch her compete. Dewan told ABC News that her cast members have been asking for tickets to see her in the ballroom.
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy
For Season 35, Dewan has been paired with veteran professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy.
The partnership could be one of the season's most intriguing combinations. Dewan brings years of professional dance experience, while Chmerkovskiy brings extensive ballroom expertise and experience competing on DWTS.
The real question is whether Dewan's dance background can quickly translate into the ballroom styles demanded by the competition.
When Does DWTS Season 35 Begin?
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 will premiere with a special two-night event on September 15 and 16, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. Episodes will stream the following day on Hulu.
The new season features a wide-ranging celebrity lineup that includes actresses, athletes, musicians, reality stars and television personalities. The full cast and professional pairings were officially revealed on Good Morning America on September 2.
Why Jenna Dewan's DWTS Appearance Is Different
Jenna Dewan isn't simply another celebrity learning how to dance for television.
She is a performer whose career has been deeply connected to dance—from working as a backup dancer for global stars to becoming the lead of Step Up, hosting dance television and now entering the DWTS ballroom.
And with Step Up celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, her timing couldn't be more fitting.
Twenty years after Nora Clark first danced onto the big screen, Jenna Dewan is ready for a completely new dance challenge—and this time, the Mirrorball Trophy is the prize.
