Tue Oct 28 10:00:00 UTC 2025: DWTS Alum Maks Chmerkovskiy Blasts Hiring of Taylor Swift Dancer as Pro
Los Angeles, CA – Former “Dancing With the Stars” pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy has ignited a debate surrounding the show’s newest professional dancer, Jan Ravnik, a backup dancer for Taylor Swift. In a recent episode of his wife Peta Murgatroyd’s podcast, “The Penthouse With Peta,” Chmerkovskiy voiced strong criticism of Ravnik’s qualifications, questioning his ballroom dancing expertise and suggesting his hiring was solely due to his connection to Swift.
“I’m sorry, Jan has absolutely no business being a pro on ‘Dancing with the Stars,'” Chmerkovskiy stated. He further argued that Ravnik lacks the “foundation technique, quality, understanding of the partnership” necessary to effectively teach ballroom dance.
Chmerkovskiy pointed to Ravnik’s performance with his celebrity partner, “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Jen Affleck, during “Wicked” night as evidence. “He had no idea what foxtrot is supposed to look like,” he claimed. “How are you going to expect him to teach it and deliver that message?”
Murgatroyd echoed her husband’s concerns, suggesting Affleck is at a disadvantage due to Ravnik’s alleged lack of ballroom experience. “I feel bad because she’s not getting taught the basics that she needs to,” she said. “She’s not getting taught the base of the dance.”
While Chmerkovskiy emphasized his criticism was directed at the decision to hire Ravnik, not Ravnik himself, Murgatroyd openly speculated the hiring was strategic. “He’s a Taylor Swift dancer,” she said. “It’s the obvious reason why he is hired. Apart from that, he’s a lovely guy. He looks great. He obviously is a great dancer. Hiring a non-ballroom dancer to teach ballroom dancing to a celebrity as a job is outrageous.”
Murgatroyd proposed that Ravnik should have started in the show’s dance troupe to gain experience.
ABC and Jan Ravnik have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The controversy has stirred discussion among “Dancing With the Stars” fans, with some agreeing with Chmerkovskiy’s assessment and others defending Ravnik’s talent and potential. The debate highlights the tension between traditional ballroom expertise and the evolving landscape of dance on the popular competition show.
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