entertainmentneutral

Dancing with the Stars: Jan Ravnik Faces Haters and Harsh Criticism

USAWednesday, October 29, 2025
Advertisement

A Strong Performance and a Controversial Exit

Jan Ravnik, a newcomer to Dancing with the Stars, bids farewell to his first season. He and his dance partner, Jen Affleck, were eliminated after a strong performance to Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do."

However, their journey wasn't all smooth sailing. Former pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy publicly criticized Jan, stating he had "no business" being a pro on the show. This comment sparked a wave of discussions and reactions.

Jan's Response to Criticism

Jan chose to stay silent about the criticism, focusing instead on the support he received from fellow pros and judges. He acknowledged the love and encouragement he got on the show, contrasting it with the negativity from outside.

Jen Affleck, known for her bold personality, jokingly said she was ready to defend Jan against the harsh comments.

Val Chmerkovskiy's Stance

Val Chmerkovskiy, Maksim's brother and still a competitor on the show, stood by his brother but disagreed with his opinion. Val emphasized that while he supports his brother, he found the comments hurtful and disagreed with them. He also praised Jan's performance, stating that Jan handled his first season better than Val did in his own first season.

Jan's Reflections on Criticism

Jan revealed that dealing with constant criticism was one of the toughest challenges on the show. He acknowledged that the show's popularity brings both support and hate, making it difficult to ignore the negative comments. Despite this, Jan remained focused on his performances and partnership with Jen.

Judges' Response to the Controversy

During the episode, judge Derek Hough subtly addressed Maksim's comments by praising Jan's first season. Jan and Jen received high scores for their performance, showing that the judges appreciated their efforts.

Maksim's criticism, however, continued to be a topic of discussion, highlighting the intense scrutiny that comes with being on a high-profile show like Dancing with the Stars.

Actions