KEY POINT
- Dewan scored 19 points for her tango during the first round and survived the opening elimination.
- Her previous work as a dancer and role in Step Up has prompted criticism over her perceived advantage.
- PR expert Amore Philip believes the competition could help Dewan redirect attention toward her professional talent.
Dewan entered Season 35 with an experience level that immediately separated her from many celebrity contestants. Before becoming widely known as an actress, she worked as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson, including appearances in music videos and Jackson’s 2001 All for You tour.
Her casting became controversial among some viewers because of that history. The criticism centered on whether someone with substantial professional dance experience should compete against celebrities without the same background.
Dewan is also partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy, a three time Dancing With the Stars champion. Despite those apparent advantages, her first performance did not place her at the top of the leaderboard. She received 19 points for her tango and finished the premiere in fourth place.
Harry Shum Jr. and Maura Higgins led the initial standings with 21 points apiece, while Ezra Frech followed with 20. The opening week also produced two eliminations, with Conner Leavitt and professional partner Adele Zaikman leaving the competition after receiving 12 points for their salsa.
Beyond the competition itself, PR expert and Apples & Oranges Public Relations founder Amore Philip described Dewan as a “dark horse” from a public relations perspective.
Philip said Dewan’s participation gives her an opportunity to shift the public conversation toward her abilities rather than the personal life coverage surrounding her past relationship with Channing Tatum. Dewan and Tatum were married in 2009 after meeting while working on Step Up. They separated in 2018, and their divorce was finalized in 2019.
Dewan later began a relationship with actor Steve Kazee. The couple became engaged in 2020 and have two children together: son Callum, born in March 2020, and daughter Rhiannon, born in June 2024.
Professionally, Dewan’s acting credits include American Horror Story: Asylum, Witches of East End, Supergirl and The Resident. She remains a series regular on ABC’s The Rookie.
Dewan remains in the Season 35 competition following the first elimination round. Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays on ABC and streams on Disney+.
