Jenna Dewan got honest about navigating an “unexpected” partner swap on Dancing With the Stars amid pro Val Chmerkovskiy‘s brief suspension.
“We had about two and a half days,” she told Good Morning America about preparing for Dedication Night with pro Alan Bersten, who performed in Chmerkovskiy’s absence on Tuesday, October 20. “You know, I think I learned this early on — in life, but also especially in our business — that the show must go on. Sometimes unexpected things happen and you have to pivot. And then your job is to make the best of that and your mental game is what you’re in control of.”
Dewan, 45, praised Bersten, 32, for how he “stepped up” to the plate.
“You rose to the occasion, truly, and you were so amazing,” she gushed during their joint interview. “Your heart was present the entire time. … Listen, we made it happen and we enjoyed ourselves. It was beautiful.”
Us confirmed on Saturday, October 17, that Chmerkovskiy, 40, was benched from Dedication Night after he made controversial comments toward Carrie Ann Inaba. The longtime judge had called out Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, during Super Bowl Night on October 13 for an illegal lift in her samba with Harry Shum Jr., leading Chmerkovskiy to fiercely defend her.
After publicly apologizing for his remarks, Chmerkovskiy addressed the decision for him to step back from Dedication Night.
“The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner Jenna Dewan is putting in,” he wrote via his Instagram Story on Saturday. “Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DWTS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!!”
Dewan performed a breathtaking Viennese waltz with Bersten honoring her mom, Nancy Smith, and walked away with her first 10 of the season (from Inaba, no less).
Following Tuesday’s live show, Bersten opened up about the rehearsal process, explaining whether any of Chmerkovskiy’s choreography changed.
“Obviously, Jenna is Val’s partner, so we were in communication,” he told GMA. “And he was like, ‘Change whatever you want. Do whatever you want. Just enjoy.’ So we had a lot of back and forth.”
Chmerkovskiy kept up with the competition on Tuesday night, asking his social media followers to vote for Dewan. He also thanked Bersten for performing in his place.
“Thank you for stepping in and doing such an amazing job,” he wrote in an Instagram comment before the show. “Jenna looks so good and most importantly happy. You’re my new favorite follow.”
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
