Jenna Dewan's Fiancé Steve Kazee Defends Her Against 'Dancing with the Stars' Criticism | Just Jared

Jenna Dewan‘s fiancé Steve Kazee is coming to her defense.

In a new Instagram post shared on Wednesday (September 30), the 50-year-old Tony-winning actor praised the 45-year-old The Rookie actress for how she’s handled dealing with all of the criticism while competing on Dancing with the Stars.

Ever since it was announced that Jenna would be competing on season 35 of the ABC dancing competition series with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, many have pointed out that she has an unfair advantage after having decades of dance experience.

“I could not be more in awe of this incredible woman,” Steve began his lengthy post while sharing photos and videos of Jenna from DWTS.

“The amount of literal blood, sweat, and tears she has poured into this journey over the last month has been beyond amazing to witness,” he continued. “The hours, the bruises, the blisters, the exhaustion, the nerves, the constant push to get better. She has given herself completely to this experience, and somehow, through all of it, she is joy.”

Steve wrote, “I think in life we should all want the people we love most to have the chance to fill their hearts with the things that make them feel most alive. To challenge themselves. To surprise themselves. To remember parts of who they are that maybe got buried beneath work, parenthood, responsibility, and just the everyday business of life.”

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“And getting to watch her find that feeling every single week has been such a gift, not only for her, but for our whole family,” he continued. “I know everyone gets to see the performances on Tuesday nights, but I get to see everything that happens in between. The work. The doubt. The determination. The sore feet. The late nights. The moments when she thinks she can’t do it, and then somehow does it anyway.”

He then praised how Jenna‘s handled all the “noise” and criticism.”

“I’ve also watched her take on all the noise that comes with putting yourself out there like this,” he wrote. “The opinions, the chatter, and the criticism that, despite best attempts, feels almost inescapable in this age of the almighty algorithm. And what has impressed me most is that she keeps showing up with an open heart. She listens, she works, she keeps learning, and she refuses to let any of it steal the joy she has found in doing this.”

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“I am just so damn proud of her and I am honored to stand beside her through it all,” Steve concluded. “Keep dancing, baby. Keep filling up that heart. I’ll be right here cheering louder than anyone.”

Jenna and Steve first started dating in 2018 and got engaged in 2020. They share two children: son Callum, 6, and daughter Rhiannon, 2. The Step Up actress is also mom to 13-year-old daughter Everly, who she shares with ex-husband Channing Tatum.

Jenna isn’t the only star competing on season 35 of DWTS that has previous dance experience.

Posted To:Dancing With the Stars Jenna Dewan Steve Kazee