Jenna Dewan

Jenna Lee Dewan, born on December 3, 1980, is an American actress and dancer who initially gained recognition as a backup dancer for artists like Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Missy Elliott. Her breakthrough role came in the 2006 film Step Up, where she portrayed Nora Clark.


Dewan's career in television includes starring roles in various series. She appeared in the short-lived NBC series The Playboy Club and had a recurring role in the FX series American Horror Story: Asylum. She portrayed Freya Beauchamp in the Lifetime series Witches of East End and Lucy Lane in The CW series Supergirl and its spin-off Superman & Lois. Additionally, she played Joanna in the Netflix series Soundtrack and currently stars as Bailey Nune in ABC's The Rookie. Dewan has also appeared in a recurring role on the FOX medical drama The Resident.


In addition to her acting career, Dewan has hosted several reality television shows, including World of Dance and Flirty Dancing, and served as a judge on Come Dance with Me. She continues to be active in both acting and dancing, maintaining a versatile presence in the entertainment industry.

Jenna Dewan was born on December 3, 1980, in Hartford, Connecticut, to parents Nancy Smith (née Bursch) and Darryll Dewan. Her father, Darryll, was a former running back on the 1972 Notre Dame football team. Jenna's ancestry includes Syrian, Lebanese, Polish, Cornish, German, and English roots.
During her childhood, Dewan moved frequently, residing in seven cities before reaching the seventh grade. She attended Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland, where she was a varsity cheerleader. Later, she transferred to Grapevine High School in Grapevine, Texas, where she continued her cheerleading activities and was eventually voted prom queen during her senior year.


Dewan pursued higher education at the University of Southern California, where she became a member of the California Gamma chapter of Pi Beta Phi. Her diverse background and experiences have contributed to her versatile career in the entertainment industry.


Jenna Dewan's career took off after she appeared in Janet Jackson's "Doesn't Really Matter" music video in 2000. This opportunity led to further collaborations with Jackson, including appearances in her "All for You" music video and the subsequent All for You Tour in 2001. Dewan attributes her work with Jackson as instrumental in advancing her career, providing her with invaluable experience that enabled her to work with numerous other artists and ultimately star in the dance film Step Up.


In 2016, Dewan also served as the face of the dancewear manufacturer Danskin, participating in a campaign and photo shoot that showcased her athleticism and skills as a dancer. This collaboration further highlighted Dewan's expertise in the world of dance and solidified her status as a prominent figure in the industry.


In 2006, Dewan partnered with Channing Tatum in Step Up, while also taking on a leading role in Take the Lead during the same year.
August 2008 saw Dewan taking the lead in the Lifetime made-for-TV movie Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal, depicting the journey of five rebellious teens. She embodied the role of strict Coach Emma Carr. November 2009 witnessed her appearance in the straight-to-DVD comedy American Virgin alongside Rob Schneider.


Come March 2011, Dewan secured a role in the NBC pilot of The Playboy Club. By May 2011, NBC greenlit the series for a full season. She assumed the character of Bunny Janie, a sultry Playboy bunny at a Chicago Playboy Club in 1961. The show debuted on September 19, attracting 5.2 million viewers, eliciting a mixed reception from critics. Due to dwindling ratings, NBC axed the series after just three episodes in October 2011.
November 2011 saw Dewan in the film The Jerk Theory, initially released in Germany in 2009 before hitting screens in the United States.


Dewan featured in the romantic-comedy film 10 Years alongside her then-spouse Channing Tatum, who also served as co-producer. The movie hit theaters on September 14, 2012. Simultaneously, she portrayed Teresa Morrison in American Horror Story: Asylum, the second installment of the horror series.
By 2013, Dewan assumed a lead role in the Lifetime series Witches of East End as Freya Beauchamp. Towards the end of 2015, she embarked on a recurring stint in the CBS/CW series Supergirl as Lucy Lane, later reprising the role in its spinoff Superman & Lois. She also secured a recurring role in FOX's The Resident. Dewan's upcoming endeavors encompass The Wedding Year, Berlin, I Love You, and Soundtrack.


She became part of the cast of ABC's The Rookie as Bailey in its third season, eventually ascending to series regular status in the fourth season.
In 2018, Dewan made a cameo appearance on the television series Seatbelt Psychic, where she underwent a spine-chilling reading from renowned medium Thomas John.
In 2022, Dewan starred in and served as executive producer for the Lifetime film Let's Get Physical, featured as part of the "Ripped from the Headlines" segment. She portrayed Sadie Smith, a character loosely inspired by Zumba instructor Alexis Wright, with the film drawing from Alexis' involvement in a side prostitution endeavor.

References

1.  Burtt, Kristyn. "Jenna Dewan Celebrates Birthday With Steamy Nude Dip in Hot Tub With Fiancé Steve Kazee". Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
2. ^ "All Time Lineups -- 1970–1979". Notre Dame Football. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
3. ^ Jenna Dewan's Fan Q&A on Twitter and New Photos at Nylon Magazine's Archived December 22, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. channingtatumunwrapped.com. Retrieved August 26, 2009.
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5. ^ "Jenna Dewan-Tatum: 25 Things You Don't Know About Me". October 4, 2013. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
6. ^ "Jenna Dewan struggled with Channing Tatum's soaring career, report says". The Mercury News. April 4, 2018. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
7. ^ "Pi Beta Phi Fraternity For Women". www.pibetaphi.org. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
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9. ^ "Timberlake's Ex Is Out for Blood - Today's News: Our Take". TV Guide. Webb, Matt. June 17, 2002. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2004.
10. ^ "Jenna Dewan-Tatum Returns to Her Dancer Roots in Danskin Campaign". E! Online. September 28, 2016. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
11. ^ Swift, Andy (October 29, 2021). "Jenna Dewan Joins Superman & Lois, Reprising Supergirl Character Lucy Lane". TVLine. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
12. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (May 30, 2018). "Anna Camp, Wanda Sykes, Jenna Dewan & More RSVP For 'The Wedding Year'". Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
13. ^ "Wanda Sykes, Jenna Dewan and Anna Camp to Star With Sarah Hyland in 'The Wedding Year' - THR News". The Hollywood Reporter. May 30, 2018. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
14. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (October 12, 2017). "Jenna Dewan Tatum Joins The Cast Of 'Berlin, I Love You'". Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.