Jenna Dewan celebrated 20 years of Step Up with a nostalgic throwback, but Channing Tatum was noticeably missing. The actress credited the 2006 dance movie with changing her life forever while focusing entirely on its lasting legacy.
Dewan, 45, shared behind-the-scenes photos from the film on Instagram Monday, August 31. The tribute arrived as reports suggested she could return to competitive dancing on Dancing With the Stars.
Jenna called Step Up the movie that changed her life while leaving ex Channing out
“Can’tt believe it’s been 20 years since Step Up,” Dewan wrote on Instagram. “The movie that changed my life forever. The way you guys love this movie all these years later is beyond.” The omission stood out because Step Up also changed Dewan’s personal life. She met Tatum on set while playing Nora Clark opposite his Tyler Gage.
The pair began dating around the film’s release and married in 2009. They welcomed daughter Everly before ending their marriage in 2019. Dewan later became engaged to actor Steve Kazee, with whom she shares two children. Her latest anniversary post appeared to celebrate the film itself rather than the romance it sparked.
That marked a shift from previous milestones. Dewan and Tatum once recreated one of the movie’s signature moments for its 10th anniversary in 2016. The original film followed Nora, a dance student whose partner dropped out before her important performance. Tyler, a troubled teen completing community service, stepped in and brought hip-hop into her classical routine.
The role highlighted Dewan’s dance background. Before acting, she had worked as a backup dancer for performers including Janet Jackson. Step Up also became a surprise commercial success. The modestly budgeted movie earned more than $110 million worldwide despite mixed reviews.
Its success produced several sequels and a television series. Two decades later, the franchise remained closely associated with Dewan’s career. Now, dance could once again take center stage. Dewan was reportedly linked to the upcoming 35th season of Dancing With the Stars, with the official cast announcement expected September 2.
She previously said she “never says never” about joining the competition. Dewan also acknowledged that she missed dancing, making a return feel like a natural next step. For now, she continued starring on ABC’s The Rookie while celebrating the movie that started her journey.
Originally reported by Vanshika Vasundhare Singh on Reality Tea
