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Jana Kramer Reveals Near Withdrawal from Dancing with the Stars Over Partners Teaching Style
Jana Kramer, the former One Tree Hill actress who competed on the 2016 season of Dancing with the Stars, said she almost quit the show because of the way her professional partner, Gleb Savchenko, trained her. In an interview on her Whine Down podcast, Kramer explained that the Russian‑style coaching she received was “really hard” and that she felt the pressure to continue was too great.
The 2016 season, which was the 23rd season of the U.S. version of the franchise, saw Kramer paired with Savchenko, a professional dancer born in Russia who has appeared on the U.S., U.K., Australian and Russian versions of the show. Kramer finished in fourth place, but she said the experience pushed her to the brink of quitting. She recalled that she had to confront the training style directly, telling Savchenko, “Do not speak to me that way. Period.” She added that she was ready to quit if the pressure continued.
Kramer’s comments echo the experience of Hannah Brown, the winner of season 28 in 2019, who also faced a similar teaching approach from her partner, Alan Bersten. Bersten, a professional dancer of Russian Jewish descent, has worked on the show since 2013. Brown said that the communication style was “hard” and that she had to learn to accept it as the way Bersten was taught. She noted that the friction was common for non‑professional dancers who had to adapt to a demanding coaching style.
The comments highlight a recurring theme on the show: the cultural differences between professional dancers and celebrity contestants. The format pairs a well‑known personality with a professional dancer who choreographs and trains the pair each week. The professional’s coaching style can vary widely, and the show’s producers have noted that the intensity of training is a key part of the competition.
Dancing with the Stars has been a staple of American reality television since its premiere on ABC in 2005. The franchise has been licensed in more than 60 territories worldwide and has become one of the most viewed programs in the U.S. The show’s popularity has led to a shift in distribution, with the series moving to Disney+ in 2022 while still airing on ABC. The 2023 season was the first to broadcast live on both platforms.
The show’s format involves weekly performances that are scored by a panel of judges and voted on by the public. Couples are eliminated each week until a champion is crowned. The professional dancers are often former competitors on the show’s international versions, and their coaching methods are shaped by their training backgrounds.
Kramer’s experience illustrates the challenges that celebrities face when adapting to a professional dance environment. The show’s producers have emphasized that the intensity of training is designed to push contestants to improve quickly. However, the cultural nuances of coaching can create friction, as seen in Kramer’s and Brown’s accounts.
The comments also shed light on the broader conversation about communication styles in high‑pressure environments. While the show’s format demands rapid skill acquisition, the coaching methods can sometimes clash with contestants’ expectations or comfort levels.
Kramer’s revelation comes as the show continues to evolve. The 2024 season will feature new professional dancers and a mix of celebrity contestants, and the franchise’s producers have indicated that they are reviewing training protocols to better support contestants’ well‑being.
The discussion around coaching styles is part of a larger trend in reality competition shows to address contestant welfare. In recent years, several programs have introduced measures such as mental health support and clearer communication guidelines for coaches.
The impact of Kramer’s comments may influence future casting and coaching decisions. While the show’s producers have not issued a statement in response to the podcast interview, the conversation is likely to prompt further examination of how professional dancers interact with celebrity partners.
In summary, Jana Kramer’s near‑withdrawal from Dancing with the Stars highlights the intensity of the show’s training regimen and the cultural differences that can arise between professional dancers and celebrity contestants. Her experience, mirrored by Hannah Brown’s similar challenges with Alan Bersten, underscores the importance of clear communication and support structures within the competitive dance environment.
The 2016 season, which was the 23rd season of the U.S. version of the franchise, saw Kramer paired with Savchenko, a professional dancer born in Russia who has appeared on the U.S., U.K., Australian and Russian versions of the show. Kramer finished in fourth place, but she said the experience pushed her to the brink of quitting. She recalled that she had to confront the training style directly, telling Savchenko, “Do not speak to me that way. Period.” She added that she was ready to quit if the pressure continued.
Kramer’s comments echo the experience of Hannah Brown, the winner of season 28 in 2019, who also faced a similar teaching approach from her partner, Alan Bersten. Bersten, a professional dancer of Russian Jewish descent, has worked on the show since 2013. Brown said that the communication style was “hard” and that she had to learn to accept it as the way Bersten was taught. She noted that the friction was common for non‑professional dancers who had to adapt to a demanding coaching style.
The comments highlight a recurring theme on the show: the cultural differences between professional dancers and celebrity contestants. The format pairs a well‑known personality with a professional dancer who choreographs and trains the pair each week. The professional’s coaching style can vary widely, and the show’s producers have noted that the intensity of training is a key part of the competition.
Dancing with the Stars has been a staple of American reality television since its premiere on ABC in 2005. The franchise has been licensed in more than 60 territories worldwide and has become one of the most viewed programs in the U.S. The show’s popularity has led to a shift in distribution, with the series moving to Disney+ in 2022 while still airing on ABC. The 2023 season was the first to broadcast live on both platforms.
The show’s format involves weekly performances that are scored by a panel of judges and voted on by the public. Couples are eliminated each week until a champion is crowned. The professional dancers are often former competitors on the show’s international versions, and their coaching methods are shaped by their training backgrounds.
Kramer’s experience illustrates the challenges that celebrities face when adapting to a professional dance environment. The show’s producers have emphasized that the intensity of training is designed to push contestants to improve quickly. However, the cultural nuances of coaching can create friction, as seen in Kramer’s and Brown’s accounts.
The comments also shed light on the broader conversation about communication styles in high‑pressure environments. While the show’s format demands rapid skill acquisition, the coaching methods can sometimes clash with contestants’ expectations or comfort levels.
Kramer’s revelation comes as the show continues to evolve. The 2024 season will feature new professional dancers and a mix of celebrity contestants, and the franchise’s producers have indicated that they are reviewing training protocols to better support contestants’ well‑being.
The discussion around coaching styles is part of a larger trend in reality competition shows to address contestant welfare. In recent years, several programs have introduced measures such as mental health support and clearer communication guidelines for coaches.
The impact of Kramer’s comments may influence future casting and coaching decisions. While the show’s producers have not issued a statement in response to the podcast interview, the conversation is likely to prompt further examination of how professional dancers interact with celebrity partners.
In summary, Jana Kramer’s near‑withdrawal from Dancing with the Stars highlights the intensity of the show’s training regimen and the cultural differences that can arise between professional dancers and celebrity contestants. Her experience, mirrored by Hannah Brown’s similar challenges with Alan Bersten, underscores the importance of clear communication and support structures within the competitive dance environment.
