From Disappointment to Success: Jenna Johnson and Joey Graziadei’s Dance Journey on DWTS

Jenna Johnson's initial disappointment over her DWTS partner Joey Graziadei transforms into a successful dance partnership, overcoming media speculation and social media drama, with both achieving impressive scores and building strong chemistry on the dance floor.
SummaryJenna Johnson, a professional dancer on Dancing With The Stars (DWTS), initially expressed disappointment over being paired with The Bachelor star Joey Graziadei, as she had hoped to partner with NFL player Danny Amendola. Despite her initial reluctance, Jenna quickly connected with Joey, describing him as genuine and naturally talented. Their strong chemistry on the dance floor has been reflected in their impressive scores. Meanwhile, Joey’s fiancé, Kelsey Anderson, addressed social media speculation about jealousy, though both Joey and Kelsey maintain a positive view of Jenna. Despite the drama, Jenna and Joey’s partnership is proving successful on the show.

Jenna Johnson’s DWTS Partner Revelation

Jenna’s Initial Disappointment with Partner Selection

Jenna Johnson, a professional dancer on the reality show Dancing With The Stars (DWTS), recently shared her initial reluctance to pair with The Bachelor star Joey Graziadei. This revelation came amidst growing media speculation following a DWTS season 33 photo shoot that some critics found too cozy. Despite the buzz, Joey’s fiancé, Kelsey Anderson, from The Bachelor season 28, clarified that she harbors no jealousy over the situation.

The Real Reason Behind Jenna’s Reluctance

During an interview on The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast, Jenna candidly admitted she had hoped for a different dance partner. Specifically, she was eager to be paired with NFL star Danny Amendola, noting, “I’ve never had a football player.” Jenna expressed her disappointment upon realizing that Joey would be her partner, believing this season would be her opportunity to dance with an NFL player.

Overcoming Initial Reservations

Despite her initial disappointment, Jenna acknowledged that Joey was aware of her feelings from the start. She explained that the DWTS producers strive to keep partner assignments a secret to ensure genuine reactions. Jenna quickly warmed up to Joey, describing him as a “genuine” person with whom she “connected really easily.” However, she humorously noted that Joey’s natural talent was somewhat irritating, referring to him as “freakishly good at everything.”

Jenna Johnson’s Journey with Joey Graziadei

Building Chemistry and Proving Critics Wrong

Despite her early reservations, Jenna and Joey have demonstrated strong chemistry on the dance floor, an essential element for convincing the judges of their emotional connection. Their performances have been well-received, with scores reflecting their success. In the first week, they scored all 7s, totaling 21 and tying for third place. In the second week, they improved slightly with a total score of 22, tying for second place. These scores are marginally higher than those achieved by Danny Amendola.

Addressing Social Media Speculation

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Following a DWTS promo photo that drew social media attention for Jenna’s pose with Joey, Kelsey responded to critics who accused her of feeling threatened or jealous. Despite her attempts to quell the rumors, some social media users accused her of overcompensating. Joey himself indicated that he had requested a partner like Jenna, who was already in a stable relationship, to minimize speculation, though it persisted nonetheless.

Analyzing Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson’s Partnership

Navigating Unwanted Drama

Despite the unnecessary drama stirred by critics, Joey and Kelsey appear untroubled by Jenna’s role as his dance partner. The Bachelor couple seems unable to escape rumors about their relationship’s strength. While celebrity contestants on DWTS often face speculation, such relationship rumors are uncommon. The enduring drama from The Bachelor likely fuels the speculation on Joey’s new journey. While Jenna may have been initially disappointed, it’s evident she found the right partner in Joey.

Source: The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast/Apple Podcasts

The Bachelor

  • PG-TV-14
  • Reality
  • Competition

The Bachelor is a reality dating series that premiered in 2002. It follows one man's search for his potential fiancé among several different women. As they travel the world and have exciting one-on-one and group dates, romance and drama develop. The Bachelor has led to many popular spin-offs, including The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise. 

Cast
Jesse Palmer, Chris Harrison, Emmanuel Acho
Release Date
March 25, 2002
Seasons
28
Franchise(s)
The Bachelor
Writers
Mike Fleiss
Main Genre
Reality
Creator(s)
Mike Fleiss