Dancing with the Stars faces casting controversy over contestant advantages

The upcoming 35th season of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is facing controversy regarding potential unfair advantages among its contestants. Some cast members have reportedly expressed concerns that participants with professional dance backgrounds may have an upper hand in the competition.

Jenna Dewan, a former professional dancer, has become a focal point of this criticism. Other contestants with dance experience include Julia Stiles, Harry Shum Jr., and Tyler Cameron. In response to the backlash, judge Carrie Ann Inaba noted that while dancers like Dewan and Stiles possess rhythm and musicality, transitioning from styles like jazz or hip-hop to ballroom requires significant ‘un-training’ of body mechanics and weight placement.

Jenna Dewan also addressed the controversy, stating that ballroom is a ‘different language’ and that she must unlearn previous habits to master the new technique. She is partnered with Valentin Chmerkovskiy, while Julia Stiles is partnered with Ezra Sosa.