Jenna Dewan Returns to Her Dance Roots on 'Dancing With The Stars': 'The Most Fun I've Had in 30 Years'

Step Up actress Jenna Dewan has returned to the world of dance through the Dancing With The Stars competition and says the experience has been the most fun she has had in 30 years. The 45-year-old began her career as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson before breaking through with the 2006 film Step Up. Now she is showing off her dance skills again on a different stage.

In an interview with E! News, Dewan said her involvement in the show gave her a new perspective. "This is probably the most fun I've had in 30 years. It's just so fun," she said. She also described a moment of reflection when she realized that at 45, dance had still found its way back into her life. "I was like, 'I can't believe at 45 and in this chapter of my life, dance has found me again'," she added. For her, the experience has driven growth and stirred deep emotions.

Despite her dance background, Dewan feels the Dancing With The Stars judges instinctively hold her to a higher standard. "There is a certain expectation for someone who has a dance background coming into this show," she said. "Maybe there's something they're looking for that we still need to work on, or maybe it's something that needs to be toned down. I don't know." She stressed that when it comes to ballroom, she is still very much a novice. "I don't understand how it all works, but I know we perform every week and keep trying to do our best," she said. "We want to keep showing the joy, the love, and the fun connection we have, and how much we love the chance to keep dancing."

Dewan's journey on Dancing With The Stars is more than just a dance competition. She previously shared the life lessons she learned after her 2024 divorce in an essay for InStyle magazine in January 2025. "Last year I learned that life has a way of bringing you exactly what you need to learn at exactly the right time," she wrote. "Transition is not just change; it is an invitation to grow, to sit in discomfort, and to find strength I didn't know I had." She highlighted that 2024 taught her a great deal about herself, her resilience, and her voice. "I learned to let go of the habit of over-accommodating in relationships and to sit with discomfort. What trusting really means," she said.

"New beginnings happen in the quiet moments, not in grand proclamations. They happen in the quiet choices: forgiving yourself, showing up again, trusting the process even when it feels hopeless." — Jenna Dewan

Dewan's statements about new beginnings and self-acceptance have universal resonance, especially in Indonesia, where public figures often face high expectations. Her story underscores that women in their mature years can keep growing and find new passions, while also challenging stigma around divorce and gender roles. For many, Dewan's message about the courage to face uncertainty and celebrate imperfection is a reminder that growth knows no age limit.

Looking ahead, Dewan's participation in Dancing With The Stars could spotlight how society views women who restart their careers in the entertainment industry. Will her performances change how judges and audiences assess a dancer with a professional background? And how will her story inspire those navigating life transitions? What is clear is that Dewan proves that dancing—and living—is about the courage to keep moving.