DANCING With the Stars has hired Taylor Swift’s ‘devilishly handsome’ Eras tour dancer, Jan Ravnik, to replace ‘fired’ pro Gleb Savchenko, The U.S. Sun can reveal.
The hunky fan-favorite went viral with his scene-stealing moments on the biggest tour in the history of music, including being by Travis Kelce’s side when the guy on the Chiefs popped up on the Eras stage.
Taylor Swift performs onstage during The Eras Tour with Jan Ravnik, left, and Raphael Thomas, right[/caption]
Gleb Savchenko attends the 11th annual Reality TV Awards at Avalon Hollywood & Bardot on November 18, 2024[/caption]
Following his monumental success on the 18-month worldwide tour, Jan has scored an exciting new gig that will continue keeping Swifties entertained – and score him an even wider audience.
According to a production insider, Jan has been tapped as a new pro for the upcoming DWTS season that premieres on September 16, 2025.
“The show needed a replacement for Gleb [Savchenko] and Jan’s availability came at the perfect time.
“Like Gleb, Jan’s got the devilishly handsome good looks, charm, and dance moves to back it up.
“What really sets Jan apart though is his incredible choreography. He’s such a storyteller and he will bring a different, almost heigtened, vibe to the DWTS ballroom.
“He’s probably the most talented new addition they’ve hired in years,” the insider revealed.
Rumors have been swirling that Jan would be on the upcoming pros lineup, which was later fueled when blogger Kristyn Burtt claimed he had closed a deal to join the team.
As for how the deal happened, Emmy-winning choreographer Mandy Moore apparently played a big part in helping it come together.
Taylor Swift is joined on stage by dancers Kam Saunders, Jan Ravnik, and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce[/caption]
Jan, who is to the left of Taylor here, poses during the Red set on The Eras tour[/caption]
Mandy, who is different from the This Is Us actress, was the choreographer for The Eras Tour after being recommended to the pop star by Emma Stone, who worked with the dancer on her film La La Land.
Before the Eras tour, Mandy was the lead choreographer, as well as a producer on the show, from 2015 to 2017.
She most recently returned as a guest judge for a Taylor Swift-themed episode in 2023.
The insider added: ”Jan knows Mandy Moore well. Mandy choreographed the Eras tour and has been choreographing DWTS for years and years.
“So that’s basically how that happened. It’s such a family at this point, and Mandy was thrilled to welcome Jan into the DWTS family.”
Before sharing the stage with showgirl Taylor, 35, Jan has previously performed for other superstars such as Mariah Carey.
Jan was born and raised in his native Slovenia, but has resided in Los Angeles with his wife and kids in recent years.
SO LONG, GLEB
His arrival to the DWTS family comes after longtime pro Gleb, 41, was abruptly let go.
The pro dancer had a tumultuous ride on and off the show that endured multiple cheating claims, including his ex-wife Elena Samodanova accusing him of infidelity during their 2020 divorce.
Most recently, Gleb’s ex, Brooks Nader, 28, made a bombshell accusation that he was unfaithful on the teaser for her upcoming reality show, Love Thy Nader.
“He’s a cheater and I have all that proof,” she told her sisters – who will be co-starring on the new series with the model.
Fun DWTS Moments With Alfonso & Julianne
The hosts had some fun times backstage while hosting Season 32 of the ABC series
- Julianne bumps and grinds in wild dance with Alfonso outside DWTS studio
- Julianne wraps her legs around Alfonso in cozy BTS clip
- The hosts share funny onstage video while rehearsing DWTS group number
- Julianne jokes ‘don’t talk to us’ as she gets ready for live show with Alfonso
- Julianne twerks with Alfonso for wild dance in middle of the street before DWTS
Gleb, 41, has since denied that he had ever cheated however, the latest drama was apparently ABC’s “final straw,” along with other factors, for not bringing him back to the ballroom.
According to an insider, ”Gleb was fired from Dancing With the Stars for a number of reasons but Brooks accusing him of cheating was the final straw.
“He has a history of bringing in negative publicity for the show. He’s a great dancer and most of the pros like him, but he doesn’t have the best reputation on set with the crew.
“That mixed with him getting older, it just was no longer a suitable fit for the show.
“He was getting phased out anyway, and Brooks just made their decision easier and quicker.”
The source added that Gleb is currently “pushing” to get on other popular dancing and reality shows as he’s “stressed” about losing the career he worked so hard to build.
Gleb first made his DWTS debut back in 2013 when he was partnered with RHOBH and Vanderpump Rules star, Lisa Vanderpump.
Jan, to the left of Taylor, during The Tortured Poet’s Department set on the Eras tour[/caption]
Jan Ravnik at the Universal Dance Awards 2019 at Universal Studios Hollywood on September 11, 2019 in Universal City, California[/caption]
Gleb and partner Brooks Nader perform on DWTS[/caption]
