On the famed reality dance competition Dancing With the Stars, performances often heat up on the dance floor — and some have actually blossomed into showmances over the years. But for many of the contestants, this intimate energy is only reserved for the screen, and nothing more.
Jenna Johnson, who has been one of Dancing With The Stars‘ pro dancers since 2016, has explained how the show’s dance troupe makes sure contestants’ significant others feel secure with their partners dancing. In a recent interview on the Trading Secrets podcast, Johnson, 30, broke down the measures the show takes in order to avoid any sort of emotional mix-ups.
“I think it’s our job to make sure that we can do everything in our power as a partner to make our partners’ significant others feel safe and part of the experience,” Johnson said. “To be open with our rehearsals, show them videos, make them feel part of it, so it doesn’t feel like there’s this hidden thing happening.”
Jenna Johnson and Joey Graziadei tear up the dancefloor on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ hair metal on October 8, 2024. In September 2024, Johnson revealed how they show’s dancers keep contestants’ significant others from getting jealous.
Disney/Eric McCandless
Contestants’ partners are part of the experience, from rehearsals to showtime — as they are allowed to watch rehearsals and do talking head interviews for the show. Watching the behind-the-scenes action assures them that Dancing With the Stars is a strictly professional experience, according to Johnson, especially as significant others often see her “yelling at [contestants] for four hours” on rehearsal tapes.
This season, Johnson — who is married to fellow Dancing With the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy — is partnered with Joey Graziadei of The Bachelor fame. Graziadei, 29, is engaged to Kelsey Anderson, 26, who has expressed how she feels about Graziadei dancing with Johnson.
In a recent video shared to her TikTok page, Anderson had nothing but positive things to say about Graziadei’s experience on the show, as well as about Johnson.
“So many people are like, ‘Kelsey, why is Jenna touching your man like that?'” Anderson said. “And honestly, I don’t know, maybe because it’s her job. Maybe because she’s a professional dancer and she has to touch him to dance. That’s my girl right there.”
