Jenna Dewan Then and Now

Jenna Dewan Then

Jenna Dewan was born on December 3, 1980, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Nancy and Darryll Dewan. Her family background is a rich tapestry of diverse heritages. 

On her mother’s side, Jenna has German and English ancestry, while her father’s side brings Polish and Lebanese roots into the mix. 

This blend of cultures likely influenced her unique appearance and multifaceted identity.

Growing up, Jenna’s family moved frequently, which meant that she experienced life in various locations during her formative years. 

Her early education began at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland, where she was actively involved in cheerleading. 

This experience not only honed her skills in performance and teamwork but also laid the groundwork for her future career in entertainment.

Following another family move, Jenna continued her education at Grapevine High School in Texas. 

There, she continued her involvement in cheerleading, further developing her athletic and performance abilities. 

Her time at Grapevine High School was instrumental in shaping her high school experience and setting the stage for her subsequent move to California.

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After graduating from high school, Jenna Dewan attended the University of Southern California (USC). 

Her time at USC provided her with a solid educational foundation and a platform to explore her interests further. 

It was during her college years that she began to make significant strides toward her career in the entertainment industry, eventually leading to her notable achievements as an actress and dancer.

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Jenna Dewan Acting Career

Jenna Dewan’s career began in the early 2000s as a backup dancer, a role that introduced her to the world of entertainment. 

Her first major break came in 2000 when she appeared in Janet Jackson’s music video for “Doesn’t Really Matter.” 

This opportunity led to further work with Jackson, including a spot in the video for “All for You” and a role on Jackson’s accompanying tour. 

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Dewan’s dance career quickly expanded to include music videos for other prominent artists such as Mandy Moore, Toni Braxton, and Missy Elliott, showcasing her versatility and talent in the dance community.

Dewan transitioned into acting with a small role in the 2002 teen comedy “The Hot Chick.” 

This was followed by her first leading role in the 2005 supernatural horror film “Tamara.” 

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However, it was in 2006 that Dewan experienced a significant breakthrough. 

That year, she appeared in the dance drama “Take the Lead,” starring Antonio Banderas, which highlighted her skills and passion for dance. 

Her most notable role came in the film “Step Up,” where she played a privileged young woman who falls for her disadvantaged dance partner, portrayed by Channing Tatum. 

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Dewan also featured in the supernatural horror sequel “The Grudge 2” in 2006, further diversifying her filmography.

In 2008, Dewan appeared in the thriller “Love Lies Bleeding,” and in the following year, she was involved in multiple films, including the musical “Falling Awake” and the comedies “The Six Wives of Henry Lefay,” “The Jerk Theory,” and “American Virgin.” 

This period demonstrated her ability to handle a variety of genres and roles.

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The year 2011 was particularly busy for Dewan, who starred in four films, including “The Legend of Hell’s Gate: An American Conspiracy,” “Setup,” and the comedies “Balls to the Wall” and “10 Years.” 

Her role in “10 Years” brought her back together with Channing Tatum, her co-star from “Step Up.” 

Dewan continued to explore diverse roles with the romantic comedy “Slightly Single in L.A.” in 2012. 

After a seven-year hiatus from feature films, she made a return in 2019 with roles in the romantic anthology film “Berlin, I Love You” and the romantic comedy “The Wedding Year.”

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Jenna Dewan Movies

• The Hot Chick (2002)
• Tamara (2005)
• Take the Lead (2006)
• Step Up (2006)
• The Grudge 2 (2006)
• Love Lies Bleeding (2008)
• Falling Awake (2009)
• The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009)
• The Jerk Theory (2009)
• American Virgin (2009)
• The Legend of Hell’s Gate: An American Conspiracy (2011)
• Setup (2011)
• Balls to the Wall (2011)
• 10 Years (2011)
• Slightly Single in L.A. (2012)
• Berlin, I Love You (2019)
• The Wedding Year (2019)
• Let’s Get Physical (2022)
• Devil on My Doorstep (2023)

Jenna Dewan Television Career

Dewan’s television career began with guest roles on sitcoms like “Quintuplets” and soap operas like “The Young and the Restless.” 

She continued to build her TV presence with guest appearances on “Joey” and a starring role in the Lifetime film “Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal.” 

Her first significant television role came in 2011 as Bunny Janie on the historical crime drama “The Playboy Club.” 

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She also had a recurring role on “American Horror Story: Asylum” and starred in the Lifetime series “Witches of East End,” where she played Freya Beauchamp.

From 2015 to 2016, Dewan portrayed Lucy Lane in the superhero series “Supergirl,” and she reprised this role in “Superman & Lois.” 

She ventured into television hosting, leading “World of Dance” for its first two seasons and serving as a guest mentor in its third season. 

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Dewan also hosted the reality series “Flirty Dancing” and judged on “Come Dance with Me.” 

Her acting roles included a recurring part on “The Resident” and a lead role in the short-lived Netflix series “Soundtrack.” 

In 2021, she secured a major role as firefighter Bailey Nune on the police procedural drama “The Rookie,” joining the main cast in its fourth season. 

Dewan also starred in the 2022 Lifetime television film “Let’s Get Physical,” continuing her diverse career in both acting and hosting.

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Jenna Dewan’s Personal Life

Jenna Dewan’s personal life took a significant turn in 2006 when she began dating actor Channing Tatum. 

Their romance blossomed after they worked together on the film “Step Up,” where their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life relationship. 

The couple’s bond grew stronger, leading to their marriage in 2009. 

Their union was further celebrated with the birth of their daughter in 2013, marking a joyful chapter in their lives.

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However, by 2018, Dewan and Tatum decided to separate. Their split, announced publicly in early 2018, eventually led to their divorce, which was finalized in late 2019. 

Despite the end of their marriage, both Dewan and Tatum continued to focus on co-parenting their daughter and maintaining a positive relationship.

During her separation from Tatum, Dewan met actor and singer Steve Kazee. 

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Their relationship developed swiftly, and the couple announced their engagement in early 2020. 

Not long after, Dewan and Kazee welcomed their first child together, a son, further expanding their family. 

This new chapter in Dewan’s life marked a fresh beginning and a new blend of personal and professional experiences.

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Jenna Dewan Now

As of now, Jenna Dewan, at 43 years old, continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. 

Her career, which began as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson, has evolved into a successful acting and dancing career. 

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Dewan’s early work as a dancer included collaborations with major artists such as Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Missy Elliott, showcasing her versatility and talent in the world of dance.

Dewan is perhaps best known for her role as Nora Clark in the 2006 film “Step Up,” a part that cemented her place in Hollywood and led to a successful franchise. 

This role highlighted her skills both as an actress and a dancer, setting the stage for future projects and establishing her as a leading figure in dance-related films.

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In recent years, Dewan has continued to expand her career with notable roles in both film and television. 

In 2023, she appeared in the movie “Devil on My Doorstep,” further demonstrating her range as an actress. 

Currently, she stars as Bailey Nune on ABC’s popular police procedural drama series “The Rookie.” 

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Her role on “The Rookie” has allowed her to explore new dimensions of her acting abilities, contributing to the show’s continued success.

Dewan’s ongoing work in television and film, combined with her rich background in dance, underscores her enduring presence and influence in the entertainment industry.

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Jenna Dewan’s Net Worth

Jenna Dewan, an accomplished American actress, model, businesswoman, producer, and dancer, has accumulated a net worth of $30 million through her diverse career in the entertainment industry. 

Her financial success reflects her multifaceted talents and significant contributions to both on-screen and off-screen projects.

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