Steve Kazee fires back at Jenna Dewan’s DWTS chemistry critics

Steve Kazee has come to the defence of his fiancée, Jenna Dewan, after some Dancing With the Stars viewers questioned her on-screen chemistry with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy. The discussion began after Dewan’s latest performance sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans suggesting that her interactions with her dance partner appeared too intimate.

Kazee, 50, addressed the criticism in the comments section of an Instagram post shared by a blogger. The post featured viewers’ reactions to the October 6 episode of the popular dance competition, during which Dewan, 45, performed alongside Chmerkovskiy.

During the routine, Dewan wrapped her leg around Chmerkovskiy while hugging him and placed her hand on his thigh. Although such movements can be part of a choreographed dance performance, some viewers questioned whether the physical interaction was appropriate.

The blogger highlighted the contrasting opinions expressed by fans, with some questioning the pair’s chemistry while others suggested that their connection appeared unusually strong.

Responding to the debate, Kazee pointed out the contradiction in the criticism. He joked that viewers first claimed the dancers lacked chemistry but were now complaining that they had too much.

“They don’t have chemistry. They have too much chemistry. They have chemistry in the wrong places. Make up your minds,” Kazee wrote.

He also questioned why viewers were paying so much attention to the performance, suggesting that people had too much free time to focus on the dancers’ interactions.

Kazee further explained that the people closest to the situation were not concerned about the performance. He noted that the spouses were unbothered, referring to Chmerkovskiy’s wife, fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson.

In another comment, Kazee addressed a separate issue by asking the blogger to pronounce Dewan’s surname correctly.

Dewan and Chmerkovskiy have received attention throughout the competition for their performances and dancing partnership. However, Kazee’s response made it clear that he did not believe their on-screen chemistry was something viewers needed to turn into a controversy.

Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba also joined the discussion, defending the pair against the criticism. She explained that physical contact was a natural part of dancing and should not automatically be interpreted as something romantic.

Inaba pointed out that dancers regularly use movement and physical contact to communicate through their performances. She encouraged viewers to appreciate the routine rather than assign meanings to individual gestures.

Her comments supported the idea that professional dancing requires performers to maintain physical closeness and work together to create convincing routines.

Kazee has consistently shown his support for Dewan since she made her debut on the show in September. He previously praised her dedication and commitment in a social media post published on September 30.

In the message, he expressed how proud he was of her and said he could not be more impressed by everything she had put into the competition. He highlighted the hard work, effort and emotional investment required to prepare for each performance.

Kazee also praised Dewan for continuing to give her best despite the criticism surrounding her participation in the show. He admired the way she continued to approach the experience with an open heart.

Dewan responded affectionately to his supportive message, thanking him for his encouragement. Chmerkovskiy also reacted to the exchange, showing his approval of Kazee’s words.

Kazee and Dewan have been together since 2018 and share two children, a son named Callum and a daughter named Rhiannon. The couple became engaged in 2020 and have continued to build their family together.

Meanwhile, Dewan remains focused on her journey in the competition as she works with Chmerkovskiy to deliver strong performances each week.

New episodes of Dancing With the Stars air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, giving viewers another opportunity to watch the contestants compete for the season’s title.