Jenna Dewan is preparing for an emotional night on Dancing With the Stars, and her fiancé, Steve Kazee, is making sure she knows he is cheering her on. The actress is scheduled to perform on the show’s October 20, 2026, episode with a new professional dance partner following Val Chmerkovskiy’s one-week suspension.
Kazee shared a heartfelt message for Dewan on Instagram Stories on October 18. His words praised her character and expressed confidence in her ability to handle the upcoming performance.
The change in Dewan’s dance partnership comes ahead of the competition’s Dedication Night, when celebrities perform routines honoring people who have played important roles in their lives.
Steve Kazee Shares a Heartfelt Message for Jenna Dewan
Kazee posted a photo of Dewan wearing her red-and-black costume from a previous Dancing With the Stars performance. Alongside the image, he praised her grace, class, and heart.
He also encouraged her with a reassuring message: “You got this baby! We got you.”
The public show of support comes as Dewan prepares to perform without her regular professional partner. Rather than addressing the controversy surrounding the suspension in his message, Kazee focused on encouraging his fiancée ahead of the next stage of the competition.
Dewan and Kazee share two children, Callum and Rhiannon. Kazee’s message adds a personal moment to a week that has brought an unexpected change to Dewan’s experience on the dance show.
Jenna Dewan Will Dance With Alan Bersten on DWTS
Following Chmerkovskiy’s suspension, professional dancer Alan Bersten is set to partner with Dewan for the October 20 episode.
According to reporting by People, Dewan will perform a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers. The routine will honor her mother during Dedication Night.
The episode presents Dewan with a different partnership as she prepares for a performance with personal meaning. Bersten will step in for the suspended dancer, allowing Dewan to continue in the competition.
Dedication Night is designed around tributes to important people and meaningful relationships. For Dewan, the upcoming performance will center on her mother rather than the controversy surrounding the show’s professional dancers.
Why Was Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended From Dancing With the Stars?
BBC Studios, the production company behind Dancing With the Stars, announced on October 17 that Chmerkovskiy would miss the next episode because of an inappropriate social media post.
The controversy followed a samba performance by his wife, professional dancer Jenna Johnson, and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr. During the October 13 episode, judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticized the routine for including a lift, which is not permitted in that style of ballroom dance.
After the exchange, Chmerkovskiy posted a TikTok status that appeared to reference the 2022 Oscars incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock. The post read, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”
The reference prompted criticism and drew attention away from the original judging dispute. Chmerkovskiy subsequently deleted the post and apologized for his decision to make the reference.
In its statement, BBC Studios said the post did not reflect the values and standards expected of people associated with the program. The company also emphasized that the well-being of everyone working on the show was non-negotiable.
The suspension means Chmerkovskiy will not participate in the October 20 episode. Dewan’s temporary partnership with Bersten is a direct result of that decision.
Val Chmerkovskiy Acknowledges His Mistake
Chmerkovskiy addressed the suspension publicly and explained that he had reacted instinctively while trying to defend his wife.
He acknowledged that referencing the Oscars incident was a poor decision and said he had not fully considered what the comparison could imply. He also expressed support for Inaba, Johnson, and the wider Dancing With the Stars team ahead of Dedication Night.
His apology followed the deletion of the social media post and the production company’s announcement of the one-episode suspension.
The situation has created an unusual moment in the competition, with Dewan preparing for an important personal performance while her usual partner sits out the episode.
What Comes Next for Jenna Dewan on DWTS?
Dewan’s upcoming Viennese waltz will bring together a new dance partnership and a tribute to her mother. With Bersten stepping in, viewers will see how the pair approach the routine during one of the season’s more personal themed episodes.
Meanwhile, Kazee’s public message makes clear that Dewan has his support as she faces the change. His encouragement keeps the focus on her upcoming performance rather than the dispute that led to the suspension.
The October 20 episode is scheduled to feature Dedication Night, giving Dewan an opportunity to share a meaningful tribute through dance as the competition continues.