Dancing with the Stars pro Jenna Johnson has defended the show's controversial practice of casting celebrities with extensive dance backgrounds.

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"I've had somebody with absolutely no experience. I've had somebody with experience. I've had an Olympian, [Adam Rippon]. I've had [Dance Moms alum] JoJo Siwa," Jenna, 32, told Us Weekly.

"There's a wide range, but Dancing with the Stars is such a different beast."

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While celebrities with prior dance experience may appear to have an advantage going into Dancing with the Stars, Jenna insisted there are many aspects of competing on the show for which contestants simply cannot prepare.

"There is the live element that people don't take into consideration," Jenna noted.

"Going out in front of millions of people with a studio audience and performing live... there is no other feeling when it goes 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1."

She added, "You're live when that red light goes on. You cannot explain that. You never know how someone's going to react or show up in that moment."

Jenna also acknowledged it's a challenge to learn at least one complex ballroom routine in less than a week.

And some weeks, celebrity cast members are expected to dress up as characters and adhere to a specific theme.

"There is so much that goes into it," Jenna reiterated.

"I understand when people are like, 'Oh, you know, dance experience, whatever.' Who cares! This is the first time they're ever doing Dancing with the Stars. That is very different."

Jenna may have been responding to backlash over actress Jenna Dewan's casting on Dancing with the Stars' 35th season.

Dewan began her career as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson, and she's also performed alongside other artists musical artists, including Christina Aguilera.

Dewan is best known for her role as Nora Clark in the 2006 film Step Up, which co-starred her ex-husband Channing Tatum.

Dewan hosted two seasons of World of Dance as well as Flirty Dancing in 2019 and Come Dance with Me in 2022. She also served as a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance.

In addition to Dewan, Us recently reported that The Bachelorette alum Tyler Cameron, Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt's husband Conner Leavitt, and model Brooks Nader's sister Sarah Jane Nader will be competing on Dancing with the Stars this fall.

"I kind of love the anticipation of it all," Jenna said of the casting rumors.

"I love hearing little rumblings and little speculations. The fact that people care enough about our show to drop everything and zoom in on visors and parking lot pictures and try to be detectives is just so exciting."

ABC formally announced Summer House star Ciara Miller, Love Island UK alum Maura Higgins, The Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez as Season 35 celebrity participants.

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The full cast of celebrities and professional dancers competing on the next season of Dancing with the Stars won't be announced until Wednesday, September 2 on Good Morning America.

Dancing with the Stars is set to return with a two-night premiere beginning on Tuesday, September 15 on ABC.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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