A Surprising Return to the Ballroom

Jan Ravnik, the 31-year-old dancer who made waves when he joined Dancing With the Stars for its 34th season, admits he is still surprised to be back for season 35. Despite his professional background, Ravnik confessed that he had never watched the long-running series before joining the cast.

«I have never watched this show in my life,» Ravnik shared in a recent interview. «It wasn’t on my board. And I’m still a little bit shocked that I’m back.»

Overcoming Early Controversy

Ravnik’s entry into the DWTS family was unconventional. He was scouted by executive producer Deena Katz while working as a backup dancer on Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour in 2024. However, his lack of traditional ballroom training sparked debate among fans and industry figures. Notably, veteran pro Maks Chmerkovskiy famously questioned Ravnik’s qualifications for the role during his debut season.

During season 34, Ravnik was paired with Secret Lives of Mormon Wives personality Jen Affleck, and the duo was eliminated in ninth place. Reflecting on that experience, Ravnik noted that the pressure taught him valuable lessons about patience and humility.

Strategy for Season 35

As he heads into his second season alongside actress Tatyana Ali, Ravnik is taking a more proactive approach to production. He explained that his first year was a steep learning curve, as he had to navigate camera work, music choices, and the complexities of ballroom styles on the fly.

«All the pros, when they are coming into a show, they are on troupe before, so you’re learning the background,» Ravnik explained. «When I went in, I just went with the flow.»

For his return, he is taking charge of his creative process:

  • Early Preparation: Ravnik began training with Ali in the studio early to identify her strengths and weaknesses across various dance styles.
  • Creative Control: He is now more confident in advocating for his partner, noting that he is better equipped to push back against song choices or choreography that might be detrimental to their success.
  • Production Insight: Having experienced the show's inner workings, he now understands how to collaborate more effectively with the music and creative departments.

He emphasized that his goal this time is to ensure their routines are tailored to Ali's abilities, stating, «Now I’m more comfortable, and put my foot down and be like, ‘Hey, we’re not doing that.’»

Dancing With the Stars continues to air on ABC and Disney+.