How Jan Ravnik Went from Slovenia to Taylor Swift to Dancing with the Stars

After touring the globe with Taylor Swift, newcomer pro Jan Ravnik is bringing fresh energy to Dancing with the Stars Season 34 — and letting no one forget where he’s from.

Photo: ABC / Dancing With The Stars

When you’ve danced night after night at sold-out stadiums and then step into the glittering mirrorball arena of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, you’ve got to bring something beyond good footwork. Jan Ravnik is doing exactly that. He may be new to the ballroom-competition scene, but he arrives with a global résumé and a hunger to carve a mark. His move from backing Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour to becoming a professional partner on DWTS marks a pivot not just in stage setting but in intention — one that feels both ambitious and rooted in real experience.

Who Is Jan Ravnik?

Jan Ravnik was born in Bohinj, Slovenia, and started dancing as a kid — by eight he was already training seriously. Before his big international break, he amassed national and European titles in his homeland. Fast-forward to the Eras Tour with Taylor Swift, and suddenly he’s performing in stadiums across the world, on film, in viral clips. That range of experience gives an interesting foundation: not traditional ballroom roots, but hard-earned professional stamina and stage presence.

Jan Ravnik Joins Dancing with the Stars Season 34

Ravnik’s arrival on DWTS was officially announced August 28, 2025, on Good Morning America. He’s the only brand-new pro this season, which means the spotlight comes with extra expectations. His celebrity partner is Jennifer “Jen” Affleck, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives — a pairing that immediately signals the show’s intent to mix up familiar formulas. The context is compelling: a dancer known for large-scale concert spectacle now must teach, choreograph, and compete in the uniquely pressured DWTS arena.

Jan Ravnik’s Connection to Taylor Swift

Yes, the Taylor Swift link gives Ravnik a built-in curve of attention (and a cheering-section of Swifties). But it’s also an asset: he says the tour taught him “just to be an icon and be true to yourself.” That mindset — combining craft with personality — is exactly what DWTS thrives on. His show-biz background means he knows about lighting, showmanship, camera angles, live audiences — all of which elevate a ballroom routine beyond steps and posture. It makes his transition feel not just lateral but smart.

Why Fans Are Excited About Jan Ravnik on DWTS

First, and simply: he’s hungry. Switching from the uniform spectacle of a global pop tour to the week-by-week pressure cooker of DWTS is no step down — it’s a change in terrain. He’s stepping into a space where every rehearsal, every night, is under scrutiny, and where he’s not just part of the ensemble but front and center.

Second, his less-traditional path might be his advantage. Ballroom purists might blink, but viewers hungry for something fresh may connect with a pro who isn’t coming in with decades of standardized ballroom pedigree but a different kind of polish. He brings stage-craft, storytelling, and a youthful global perspective. Finally, watching someone take on an unfamiliar challenge is always compelling. If he leans into the learning curve, he’s going to make interesting choices — and not just replicate what’s been done before.

Jan Ravnik’s Future on Dancing with the Stars

Jan Ravnik entering DWTS isn’t a gimmick. It’s a conscious move by someone who’s already lived large and is now choosing a platform where vulnerability, teaching, a little discomfort, and the spotlight all collide. Season 34 may not hand him the mirrorball trophy right away, but his presence signals that the ballroom is open to people whose routes to dance were unconventional. At the very least, he’s a dancer worth watching, not just for the steps, but for the story.