Jan Ravnik Goes Viral Overnight—Meet the Slovenian Dance Sensation Everyone’s Googling

Breakout star Jan Ravnik, best known as a featured dancer on Taylor Swift’s record-shattering Eras Tour, is officially joining ABC’s Dancing With the Stars as a professional for Season 34. The Slovenian-born performer will trade stadium stages for the DWTS ballroom when the new season premieres live on September 16, 2025. Who is Jan Ravnik? Raised in Šmartno ob Paki, Slovenia, Ravnik trained in jazz, hip-hop and Latin ballroom before moving to Los Angeles in 2017. His résumé already features marquee gigs with Mariah Carey, Paula Abdul and Bruno Mars, plus a show-stopping appearance at the 2025 Oscars dance number. Global audiences, however, discovered him during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, where his infectious energy made him a fan-favorite on TikTok and X. From stadiums to sequins: why DWTS matters DWTS Season 34 marks the franchise’s return to ABC after a two-season Disney+ experiment, and producers are banking on fresh faces like Ravnik to attract younger viewers. As the newest professional, he’ll be paired with a yet-to-be-announced celebrity and will choreograph weekly routines across Latin and ballroom styles—a pivot from the pop-arena choreography that made him famous. What Ravnik brings to the ballroom • Viral name recognition among Swifties and Gen Z viewers • Technical versatility across Latin, ballroom, jazz and contemporary • Performance charisma proven on a 152-date world tour • A built-in social-media following primed to vote on live show nights Premiere details and how to watch Dancing With the Stars Season 34 debuts Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streams next-day on Disney+. The premiere will introduce Ravnik alongside veteran pros Artem Chigvintsev, Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy, plus rumored celebrity contestants Hilaria Baldwin and Andy Richter. Can Ravnik go from backup to breakout champion? Historically, first-year pros have an uphill battle—only Julianne Hough (Season 4) and Lindsay Arnold (Season 25) have lifted the Mirrorball Trophy in their debut season. Yet Ravnik’s mix of hip-hop swagger, ballroom fundamentals and massive fan engagement could make him a dark-horse contender. What’s next for Jan Ravnik Between rehearsals, Ravnik is expected to continue work on his upcoming dance-fitness app and a planned return to Swift’s European Eras Tour dates during the show’s off-season, sources close to the dancer tell entertainment outlets. Bottom line Jan Ravnik’s high-profile leap from Taylor Swift’s backup dancer to Dancing With the Stars professional sets the stage for one of the most buzz-worthy seasons in years. Expect Swifties, ballroom purists and reality-TV fans alike to tune in—and to keep “Jan Ravnik” trending long after the premiere confetti falls.