Kevin Jonas has finally explained why fans haven’t seen him on the Dancing With the Stars ballroom. Despite being invited season after season, the Jonas Brothers guitarist has consistently passed on the chance to compete — and in a new interview, he boiled the decision down to a simple answer.
During an InStyle conversation published November 18 with brothers Nick and Joe Jonas, Nick — the “Jealous” singer — good-naturedly called out his older brother’s long-running streak of DWTS invitations. “They’ve asked you pretty much every season for the last 20 years I think,” Nick said. Kevin didn’t dispute it, acknowledging he’s been approached many times over the years.
DWTS Has Courted Kevin Jonas For Years
Kevin’s rise to fame dates back to 2005, when the Jonas Brothers first formed — and with that fame came an array of TV opportunities. Among the recurring offers has been Dancing With the Stars, which has repeatedly tried to get him on the dance floor across numerous cycles.
After confirming the outreach has been happening “for a long time,” Kevin explained why he’s never said yes. “I have said no. It’s just not for me. But thank you so much,” he said. He emphasized there’s no animosity or dismissiveness behind the decision, adding, “I’m a huge fan.”
His comments make clear that skipping DWTS is a personal preference rather than a critique of the franchise. Even as the show regularly taps musicians, athletes, and actors for its celebrity cast, Kevin has opted to support from the sidelines rather than lace up dance shoes himself.
Why He Says No — But Still Tunes In
While fans shouldn’t expect a Kevin Jonas Paso Doble anytime soon, he made it clear that DWTS remains appointment viewing in his house. “I will say, we watch the show,” Kevin said. “It’s very fun. I feel like it’s really back. Dancing With the Stars is fully back.” Nick agreed with the assessment, noting the show is “having a moment” with the current season 34.
The brothers’ enthusiasm mirrors the buzz around this year’s lineup, which has drawn audiences to follow the weekly race for the Mirrorball trophy. Contestants like Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, Elaine Hendrix, Jordan Chiles, and Dylan Efron have kept the competition lively, energizing social media conversation and keeping the dance-off stakes high from week to week.
They’ve also picked favorites. “I’m pulling for Mr. Irwin,” Nick said, giving a nod to the wildlife personality’s crowd-pleasing routines. Kevin chimed in quickly, adding his support in another direction: “And Efron. Dylan’s doing it.” Their fandom runs deeper than voting from the couch, too. Kevin teased that a Jonas Brothers track could hit the ballroom soon. “I’m pretty sure they’re about to perform one of our songs,” he said, suggesting a musical crossover that DWTS frequently uses to fuel its themed nights.
For a group that’s spent years performing in front of massive arenas, cheering on other artists and personalities as they learn choreography — and occasionally dance to Jonas Brothers music — offers a different kind of thrill. It also underscores Kevin’s stance: he can be all-in as a viewer without needing to compete himself.
Reality TV Isn’t New For Kevin Jonas
Kevin’s reluctance to join DWTS doesn’t stem from a lack of comfort on television. He and wife Danielle Jonas opened their home to cameras on E!’s Married to Jonas, which ran from 2012 to 2013 and chronicled their early married life alongside the band’s resurgence. The series gave fans a grounded, domestic look at a pop star balancing family and fame.
He then stepped into the boardroom on The Celebrity Apprentice in 2014 (season 7), taking on business-themed challenges for charity. The experience showcased a competitive streak and strategic mind — just in a setting far removed from sequins and samba.
Most recently, Kevin cohosted ABC’s Claim to Fame with the Jonas Brothers’ youngest sibling, Frankie Jonas, from 2022 through 2024. The reality competition challenged contestants with secret celebrity ties to keep their identities under wraps, as Kevin and Frankie presided over clue-filled eliminations. The hosting gig cemented Kevin’s easygoing on-camera presence and his comfort guiding a format without needing to be the one vying for a prize.
Put together, Kevin’s résumé makes one thing clear: he’s selective about where he shows up in the reality space, but he’s hardly absent from it. For now, DWTS remains a dance he’s chosen to sit out — even as he cheers on the season’s contenders, backs favorites like Robert Irwin and Dylan Efron, and hints that a Jonas Brothers song could soundtrack a future ballroom routine.
It’s a balance that suits him. Fans get the music and the TV moments, and Kevin gets to enjoy Dancing With the Stars exactly how he wants: from the best seat in the house — the one at home.
