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Janet Jackson ‘So Excited’ in Surprise ‘DWTS’ Cameo Honoring Former ‘All For You’ Video Dancer: ‘I Feel So Honored’
Janet Jackson surprised Jenna Dewan with a supportive video message on Dancing With the Stars after Dewan performed to Jackson’s “All For You”. Jackson said she felt honoured by the tribute and recalled their time together on the song’s tour, making the performance a full-circle moment for Dewan, who began her career as one of Jackson’s dancers.
Dewan and partner Val Chmerkovskiy performed a jazz routine with lifts and spins, earning 28 out of 30 and the second-highest score of the night. They won their dance battle against Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik but were eliminated at the end of the show. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won the 2002 Grammy for best dance recording; Dewan had also danced in Jackson’s videos for “Doesn’t Really Matter” and “All For You”.
In short
- Janet Jackson sent Jenna Dewan a surprise message after her tribute performance.
- Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy scored 28 out of 30.
- They were eliminated despite earning the night’s second-highest score.
Explained simply
Dancing With the Stars is a US television competition in which celebrities perform choreographed dances with professional partners. Judges score each routine, while viewers also help decide who stays in the contest.
Janet Jackson is a singer whose 2001 song “All for You” topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy for best dance recording. Jenna Dewan began her career as a dancer, performing on Jackson’s tour and appearing in her music videos.
The connection between the two gives Dewan’s performance added personal context. It links her work on the show with an early part of her career and with a song associated with Jackson.