Dancing With the Stars‘ Jen Affleck Defends Partner Jan Ravnik From “Slander”
Dancing With the Stars contestant Jen Affleck is standing firmly by her professional dance partner Jan Ravnik after the duo became the subject of what she’s calling “hurtful and false” rumors circulating online.
Affleck, 35, who has quickly become one of this season’s fan favorites on the hit ABC competition, took to Instagram late Sunday night to defend Ravnik following speculation about tension behind the scenes. The actress and TV personality didn’t mince words in her post, describing recent social media chatter as “baseless slander” aimed at discrediting her partner’s professionalism and character.
“Jan is one of the most talented, kind, and hardworking people I’ve ever met,” Affleck wrote to her 1.2 million followers. “What’s being said about him is not only untrue — it’s cruel. We’re here to dance, inspire, and have fun. Please don’t let lies overshadow the love we bring to the stage.”
The post included a behind-the-scenes video of the pair laughing during rehearsals, with Ravnik, 33, twirling Affleck as she jokingly shouted, “We’re too busy working hard to fight!” Fans flooded the comments section with support, praising her for addressing the controversy directly.
💃 What Sparked the Drama
The backlash began last week after an anonymous blog claimed that Ravnik was “difficult to work with” and that production staff were “tired of his ego.” The claims quickly spread on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), where users debated whether the tension was affecting the pair’s performances.
However, multiple production insiders have since come to Ravnik’s defense, describing him as “disciplined but kind” and “deeply committed to helping Jen succeed.” One crew member told ET Online, “They’re one of the most focused partnerships this season. The idea that there’s drama between them is ridiculous.”
⭐ Fan Response
Affleck’s decision to publicly address the issue has earned her praise for transparency. “Jen handled it with grace,” one fan wrote on Reddit. “She’s showing what true partnership looks like.”
The duo’s chemistry on the dance floor has been one of the standout highlights of Season 33, with their Week 5 performance — a rumba to Adele’s Love in the Dark — earning a near-perfect score from the judges.
🕊️ Staying Focused on the Competition
Ravnik, a Slovenian-born professional dancer and choreographer, has not directly commented on the situation but reposted Affleck’s message with a simple heart emoji. The pair were seen arriving together at rehearsals Monday morning, smiling and chatting as paparazzi snapped photos.
A source close to the show says both dancers are “laser-focused” on preparing for the next live round and won’t be distracted by online speculation. “They have great energy together,” the insider added. “This has only made them stronger.”
As Dancing With the Stars heads into its most competitive stretch, Affleck and Ravnik’s unified front may prove to be their biggest strength — proving that in both dance and life, teamwork beats gossip every time.
