Table of Contents
Jenna Dewan is an American actress, dancer and television personality best known for Step Up. She is now attracting major attention after joining Dancing with the Stars Season 35.
Her casting has sparked debate because she previously worked as a professional dancer and starred in one of Hollywood’s best-known dance films. Critics question whether that background gives her an advantage over other contestants.
Dewan has pushed back against that argument. She says she has no ballroom dance experience and considers the style a completely new challenge. She will compete with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy when Season 35 premieres on September 15, 2026.
Jenna Dewan Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jenna Lee Dewan |
| Date of birth | December 3, 1980 |
| Age | 45 |
| Birthplace | Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, dancer, television personality |
| Famous for | Step Up, The Rookie, dance career |
| Former husband | Channing Tatum |
| Fiancé | Steve Kazee |
| Children | Three |
| Current TV role | Bailey Nune in The Rookie |
| DWTS partner | Val Chmerkovskiy |
Who Is Jenna Dewan?
Jenna Dewan is an American actress and dancer who built her career across music, film and television.
Before becoming widely known as an actress, she worked as a professional dancer. Her early career included performances with Janet Jackson and appearances connected to other major music artists.
Her breakthrough came in 2006 when she played Nora Clark in Step Up. The role combined her dance ability with her growing acting career and made her a recognizable Hollywood name.
How Old Is Jenna Dewan?
Jenna Dewan is 45 years old in 2026. She was born on December 3, 1980, in Hartford, Connecticut.
She spent much of her childhood moving between different cities before eventually attending high school in Texas.
Jenna Dewan Early Life and Education
Dewan grew up in a family connected to sports and entertainment. Her father, Darryll Dewan, played football at Notre Dame.
She attended Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland, where she participated in varsity cheerleading. Her family later moved, and she transferred to Grapevine High School in Texas.
At Grapevine High School, she continued cheerleading and was voted prom queen during her senior year.
She later attended the University of Southern California and joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority. However, she left college as her professional dance opportunities expanded.
Jenna Dewan’s Dance Career
Dance was the foundation of Dewan’s entertainment career.
She appeared in Janet Jackson’s music video for “Doesn’t Really Matter” in 2000. She later appeared in Jackson’s “All for You” video and joined the singer’s All for You Tour.
She also worked with other major performers, including Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliott and Pink.
That professional experience eventually helped her transition into acting. It also explains why her Dancing with the Stars casting has generated so much discussion.
Jenna Dewan and Step Up
Dewan reached a major career milestone with Step Up in 2006.
She played Nora Clark opposite Channing Tatum, who played Tyler Gage. The film became a defining project for both performers and connected their professional lives with their eventual relationship.
The movie also established Dewan as an actress capable of combining dance performance with dramatic acting.
Twenty years after the film’s release, her return to competitive dance through Dancing with the Stars has created a notable full-circle moment.
Jenna Dewan’s Acting and Television Career
After Step Up, Dewan continued building a television and film career.
Her credits include The Grudge 2, 10 Years, Witches of East End, The Playboy Club, American Horror Story: Asylum and Supergirl.
She also played Lucy Lane in Supergirl and later appeared as the character in Superman & Lois.
Dewan has also hosted dance-focused programs. She hosted World of Dance and Flirty Dancing and served as a judge on Come Dance with Me.
Her current major television role is Bailey Nune on ABC’s The Rookie. She joined the series as a guest performer near the end of Season 3 and became a series regular from Season 4. ABC says the show has been renewed for a ninth season.
Who Is Jenna Dewan’s Husband?
Jenna Dewan was previously married to actor Channing Tatum.
The pair met while making Step Up and married in July 2009. They separated in 2018, and their divorce was finalized in 2024 after years of legal proceedings involving financial and custody matters.
They share one daughter, Everly.
Dewan later began a relationship with actor Steve Kazee. The couple became engaged in February 2020.
As of 2026, Kazee remains her fiancé rather than her husband. Dewan said in February that they were planning to marry later in 2026.
Jenna Dewan’s Children and Family
Dewan has three children.
She shares Everly with Channing Tatum. She has two younger children, son Callum and daughter Rhiannon, with Steve Kazee.
Family has also influenced her decision to join Dancing with the Stars. Dewan said Everly was a major reason she became interested in the opportunity.
Her oldest daughter is also developing an interest in dance and has participated in several dance-related activities.
Why Is Jenna Dewan Trending?
Jenna Dewan is trending because of her casting on Dancing with the Stars Season 35.
The announcement immediately generated debate because of her professional dance history. She has performed alongside major recording artists and became famous through a dance-centered film.
Some viewers argue that this gives her an unfair advantage.
Dewan disagrees. She says ballroom dancing is different from the styles she previously learned and performed. She has described the transition as requiring her to unlearn habits from her earlier training.
Her professional partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, has also defended the casting. He argues that the show focuses on personal growth and performance, not simply previous dance experience.
Jenna Dewan on Dancing with the Stars
Dewan will compete with Val Chmerkovskiy on Season 35.
The new season premieres September 15 and 16, 2026, in a two-night event on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available on Hulu afterward.
The timing is particularly significant because 2026 marks two decades since Step Up introduced Dewan to a much larger audience.
For her, the competition represents a return to dance while learning a discipline she says is unfamiliar to her.
Jenna Dewan Net Worth
Jenna Dewan’s exact net worth has not been officially disclosed.
Her income comes from acting, television work, dance-related projects, hosting, endorsements and other entertainment activities. Public net worth websites publish estimates, but those figures are not independently verified.
For that reason, any specific dollar amount should be treated as an estimate rather than an official figure.
Read More: Gloria Steinem Biography: Age, Husband, Career, Books and Legacy
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jenna Dewan?
Jenna Dewan is 45 years old in 2026. She was born on December 3, 1980.
Who is Jenna Dewan’s husband?
Dewan was previously married to Channing Tatum. She is currently engaged to actor Steve Kazee, and they have two children together.
How many children does Jenna Dewan have?
She has three children: Everly with Channing Tatum, and Callum and Rhiannon with Steve Kazee.
Is Jenna Dewan a professional dancer?
Yes. She began her entertainment career as a professional dancer and worked with artists including Janet Jackson before becoming known for acting.
Why is Jenna Dewan on Dancing with the Stars?
She joined Season 35 because she wanted to challenge herself with ballroom dancing. Her casting has attracted criticism because of her previous professional dance experience.
Who is Jenna Dewan’s DWTS partner?
Her professional partner for Season 35 is Val Chmerkovskiy.
Conclusion
Jenna Dewan has built a career that connects professional dance, acting and television.
Her breakthrough in Step Up made her a familiar name, while roles in Supergirl and The Rookie expanded her acting profile. She has also remained closely connected to dance through hosting and judging projects.
Now, two decades after Step Up, she is returning to the dance floor on Dancing with the Stars. Her professional dance background has created controversy, but Dewan says ballroom is a different discipline and a genuine challenge.
That debate explains her current search surge, while her long entertainment career gives the story lasting relevance beyond Season 35.
