Jen Affleck isn’t sitting out the conversation around her Dancing With the Stars partner, Jan Ravnik. After former DWTS pros Maks Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd publicly questioned Ravnik’s ballroom chops, Affleck fired back with a pointed TikTok that quickly rallied viewers to her side.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star used the app to deliver a clear message: she’s standing by her pro partner as the competition heats up, even as debate swirls over what makes a great DWTS teacher — and who should be leading celebrities on the ballroom floor.
Jen Affleck’s TikTok Response
Affleck’s video shows her furiously typing on her phone while Ravnik, appearing beside her, mouths: "Take it down. Take it down. Take it down. We need it gone. That doesn’t represent me or what we need to be doing." Affleck’s caption drove the point home: "Me when anyone talks trash about Jan," followed by, "We don’t tolerate Jan slander in this house!!" She also tagged Ravnik and Dancing With the Stars, alongside the show’s traditional hashtag.
The tone is playful, but the intent is unmistakable. Affleck may be a DWTS rookie, yet she’s already fiercely protective of her pro — and willing to go public about it. The clip quickly drew a wave of supportive comments from viewers who applauded her loyalty. One fan summed up the mood: "Jen is the definition of a ride-or-die."
As anyone who has watched DWTS knows, the celebrity-pro partnership is everything. Pros craft choreography, teach technique, and manage nerves across theme weeks and live shows. Affleck’s TikTok underscores how that trust can become a competitive edge — and a social media flashpoint — when outside voices challenge the partnership.
Maks & Peta’s On-Air Critique
The response followed pointed remarks from Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd on their podcast. Chmerkovskiy, who competed in 17 non-consecutive DWTS seasons, argued that a pro’s first job is teaching sound fundamentals. "[If] you can’t teach fundamentals, you should not be a pro on Dancing With the Stars," he said, referencing Ravnik’s October 21 Wicked Night routine. He added, "He had no idea what foxtrot is supposed to look like. How are you going to expect him to teach it and deliver that message in a format that is completely different from even ballroom dancing?" Chmerkovskiy called Ravnik’s hiring a "missed opportunity," while stressing, "I have zero against Ravnik as a person."
Murgatroyd, who co-hosts the show with her husband Chmerkovskiy, agreed. "Jen Affleck [is] at a disadvantage," she said. "She’s not getting taught the base of the dance. Hiring a non-ballroom dancer to teach ballroom dancing to a celebrity as a job is outrageous."
The criticism cuts to the heart of an enduring DWTS debate: how much ballroom pedigree should matter when pros are selected, and how closely routines should adhere to traditional technique during theme nights. Wicked Night, like many of the show’s special episodes, often blends theatrical flair with ballroom foundations — a balance that can divide purists and audiences who prioritize performance value.
For Affleck and Ravnik, the conversation arrives mid-competition, when consistency, clarity of style, and judge feedback can set a pair apart. Teaching fundamentals is indeed a recurring talking point among pros and judges, especially in styles like foxtrot that demand distinct posture, frame, and footwork. The question raised by Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd isn’t new — but it’s rare for it to become this public in real time.
Jan Ravnik Responds As Fans Rally
Ravnik appeared unbothered by the discourse. He shared a rehearsal photo with Affleck set to Taylor Swift’s "Look What You Made Me Do," and cheekily captioned it with a lyric: "I’ll be the actress starring in your bad dreams." It’s a nudge-and-wink response that keeps the focus on the work inside the studio while acknowledging the conversation happening outside of it.
Meanwhile, Affleck’s TikTok continues to rack up engagement as DWTS viewers weigh in. Supporters praised the duo’s chemistry and defended Ravnik’s teaching, saying the pair’s progress is what matters most week to week. Others engaged the broader question raised by the former pros, debating where the line should be drawn between technical accuracy and entertainment value on a primetime dance competition.
What’s clear is that Affleck and Ravnik are presenting a united front. For contestants, the partnership is more than choreography — it’s a public alliance that influences confidence, storytelling, and, ultimately, scores. Affleck’s willingness to speak up for Ravnik signals that she’s all-in on their process, regardless of commentary from the sidelines.
As the season moves forward, judges and votes will continue to determine how far each pairing goes, and the weekly routines will speak loudest. For now, Affleck’s message is resonating: challenge their dancing all you want, but don’t expect her to tolerate slander. And if her comment section is any indication, a sizable portion of the DWTS fandom is right there with her.
Whether this debate fades or fuels more discussion, it’s given viewers an unusually candid look at the pressures and politics surrounding the ballroom — and a reminder that on DWTS, performance happens on the dance floor and on social media timelines alike.
