Why DWTS’ Jenna Dewan Thinks She’s Judged More Harshly

How Jenna Dewan, Channing Tatum's Daughter Everly Reacted to Her ‘Dancing With the Stars’ CastingJenna Dewan doesn’t need the judges to tell her to step up. After Dewan and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy scored a 21 out of 30 in the latest episode of Dancing With the Stars Sept. 29, she admitted the judges “probably innately” hold her to a higher standard due to her dance background. “There’s a certain sense of expectation of somebody who has a dance background coming onto the show,” Dewan told E! News in an exclusive interview following the show, “and there probably is something they’re looking for that we are still needing to work on to give or maybe give less of. I don’t know.” But despite Dewan having professional experience as a dancer, she’s still a novice on the ballroom floor. “I don’t understand how all that works,” Dewan—who danced to “Africa” by Toto alongside Chmerkovskiy—admitted of the scoring, “but I know we show up every week and we keep doing our best and we want to keep showing our joy and our love and the fun connection we have together and how much we love getting a chance to keep dancing.”And ultimately, the scores aren’t what Dewan—mom to Everly, 13, with ex Channing Tatum, as well as Callum, 6, and Rhiannon, 2, with fiancé Steve Kazee—is taking away from this experience. “It’s the most fun I’ve had maybe in the last 30 years,” the 45-year-old mused. “This is just so fun.” Indeed, it’s been emotional for the Step Up actress to return to her roots. “I had a real moment of, ‘I can’t believe that, at 45, and this chapter of my life that dance is still finding me again,’” Dewan shared, “And causing me to grow and causing me to feel all the depths of the emotion.” As she put of her feelings and the support she’s received from sharing them, “I really had such a moment and it was nice a lot of people felt that feeling and love that I truly feel for dance.”Disney/Andrew EcclesMeanwhile, Chmerkovskiy is only fueled by the possibility of improving in the coming weeks. “I respect the judges,” he added. “We just got to get better. It feels how it feels because you put in so much work and you’re just so hungry for validation but we could validate ourselves.” For a deeper look into this season’s DWTS contestants, keep reading… Disney/Andrew EcclesJulia Stiles & Ezra SosaYou won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.Disney/Andrew EcclesGiada De Laurentiis & Alan BerstenCha-cha-chopping away... The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.Disney/Andrew EcclesHarry Shum Jr. & Jenna JohnsonWhat did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesTaylor Hanson & Britt StewartThe former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.Disney/Andrew EcclesTatyana Ali & Jan RavnikThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesJenna Dewan & Val ChmerkovskiyTwenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.Disney/Andrew EcclesAmber Glenn & Pasha PashkovThe 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesEzra Frech & Daniella KaragachThe Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesSarah Jane Nader & Hailey BillsAfter sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand. Disney/Andrew EcclesConnor Wood & Rylee ArnoldThe comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesConner Leavitt & Adele ZaikmanThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.Disney/Andrew EcclesTyler Cameron & Sharna BurgessThe Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.Disney/Andrew EcclesJackson Olson & Emma SlaterThe Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesGuillermo Rodriguez & Witney CarsonThe Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.Disney/Andrew EcclesCiara Miller & Brandon ArmstrongThe Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom. "Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."Disney/Andrew EcclesMaura Higgins & Mark BallasThe Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience. "I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App