On 2 April 2018 we heard the news that after nine years of marriage, Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum were separating. We were devastated. As far as we were concerned, after nearly a decade of emotional investment in their relationship on our part – love was dead. Six months later, Jenna Dewan filed for divorce making it official. The World of Dance was no longer Channing Tatum’s wife, and the star of Magic Mike was no longer her husband. Now, we recap their relationship, dive into Jenna’s past, and assess what the future holds for both celebs.
How did Jenna and Channing meet?
Jenna and Channing met in 2005 on set of dancing/drama film Step-Up. Channing was asked about how him and his then-wife by Elle, and admitted that he was initially quite cautious due to being newly single. “I had just gotten out of a pretty long relationship, so I was in no way ready for another,” he said. “I was trying to run from what I knew Jenna was—not someone I was just going to date. But one of my buddies was like, “What are you doing, man? She’s dope.” That night I showed up at her hotel room with a sombrero on, and that was it.” Jenna was speaking to Vegas magazine in the wake of her divorce when she reminisced about meeting her former husband. “We started out as friends, and I would say it was an instant recognition,” she said. “When we met [on the set of Step Up in 2005] it felt like we had known each other for many years…Ultimately, no matter what Chan and I are doing, we’re really great friends. I think that will never change, no matter what.” The pair remain good friends, which is all part of successfully co-parenting their daughter Everly, who was born in London in 2013.
How long were they together?
Jenna and Channing started dating shortly after the filming of Step Up wrapped in 2005/2006. They got engaged two years later in early September 2008 while visiting Maui and their wedding was a year later on 11 July at Church Estates Vineyards in Malibu, California.
What was the reason for their divorce?
Both Jenna and Channing have maintain that their separation and divorce were mutual, not malicious, and that the split was for the benefit of everyone in their family. Their public statement read:
“We have lovingly chosen to separate as a couple. We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together. Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now. There are no secrets nor salacious events at the root of our decision — just two best-friends realizing it’s time to take some space and help each other live the most joyous, fulfilled lives as possible. We are still a family and will always be loving dedicated parents to Everly. We won’t be commenting beyond this, and we thank you all in advance for respecting our family’s privacy.”
(you can view Jenna’s Instagram post on their split here) While the two stars remain friends, it’s clear they no longer love each other in a romantic way and it was for the best that their marriage came to an end. Looking part on this snippet of an interview Jenna did for Health in February 2018, we should have sensed that something was up. “When people say you guys have such a perfect life, I want to scream and tell them no one’s perfect,” Jenna said, months before their separation went public. “I think there are such things as great fits. It is a great fit as long as you are growing together, and I think up until this point we’ve really grown together. Even if one starts to grow, the other catches up and vice versa.” It seems that ultimately, they were no longer able to grow together and decided to call it quits. But that didn’t mean the split wasn’t difficult for Jenna.
Video: Jenna pays homage to her then-husband by performing to ‘Pony’ on Lip Sync Battle
“I’m obviously super aware that people know me, they know Channing, they know us together,” Jenna told Cosmopolitan, as the cover of their January 2019 issue. “We’d been a beloved couple for a long time…People are like, ‘How do you get through this?” Turns out, Jenna got through her divorce by facing her emotions head-on.”I didn’t run away from my feelings” the gutsy star said.
How Well Do You Know Jenna Dewan?
We dive into everything that makes Jenna so damn talented!
How old is Jenna Dewan?
Jenna’s birthday is 3 December 1980, so she will be turning age 39 later this year. Her mother is Nancy and her father Darryl, and she was born in Hartford, Connecticut. Jenna has one sister, Missy, and three brothers, Nathan, Daniel and Shane. That’s a lot of kids in the Dewan household!
Pictured: Jenna shares a cute family snap on her Instagram to celebrate National Sibling Day. You can follow Jenna Dewan on Instagram as @jennadewan.
Jenna’s Measurements:
Height: 1.6 metres.
Weight: 52 kgs, according to CelebFacts.
What is Jenna Dewan’s net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jenna is worth at least a cool $20 million. We have no trouble believing that she’s worth all that and more. She launched her career by working with the iconic Janet Jackson, first appearing in the singer’s ‘Doesn’t Really Matter’ music video before she joined the ‘All For You’ World Tour in 2001. We’re telling you now, you would not want to come up against Jenna in a dance-off, because you wouldn’t have a prayer!
What Movies and TV Shows Has Jenna Appeared In?
Films
- Take The Lead (2006)
- Step Up (during which she met Channing)
- The Grudge 2 (2006)
- American Virgin(2009) co-starring alongside Rob Schneider from The Hot Chick (2002)
- Berlin, I Love You (2019)
- The Wedding Year (2019)
TV Shows
- Joey, the Friends spin-off (2005)
- Melrose Place (2009)
- American Horror Story: Asylum (2012-2013)
- Supergirl (2015-2016)
- Lip Sync Battle (2016)
- The Mindy Project (2014)
- Hosted World of Dance (2017-2018)
Pictured: Jenna rocking the January 2019 Cosmo cover.
Has Jenna ever had plastic surgery?
Jenna has never openly admitted to having cosmetic or plastic surgery, but when she posted this selfie to Instagram it divided her fan base. Is it just the camera angle, or has the star had some kind of nose-job?
When the public aren’t accusing her of having plastic surgery, they’re saying that Jenna’s selfies are too sexualised for a mother to be taking – whatever that means? “Apparently, when you become a mother, you’re supposed to leave your sexuality at the door, and I never understood that,” she said in an interview with Women’s Health. “I think there’s nothing sexier than becoming a mother. You give life. It’s everything. And you don’t change who you are inside just because you have a kid.”
Has Jenna Ever Posed Nude or Topless?
Jenna hands down won #ThrowbackThursday when she posted these tasteful nude shots to her Instagram. Channing took them while they were on holiday in Cabo, and it’s plaint to see that Jenna is every inch a natural beauty.
She has also posed nude for Women’s Health (check out her BTS clip below!)
What are Jenna’s Most Famous Hairstyles?
Jenna rocks short hair like it’s no one’s business. She’s basically the picture you show your hairdresser when you’re considering opting for the chop. Here are some of Jenna’s most iconic styles.
The Textured Waves
The Sleek Bob
Throwback to Jenna’s Long Tresses
Are Jenna or Channing dating new partners now?
Channing has been dating English singer songwriter Jessie J since 2018, and it hasn’t gone amiss in the press that Jessie J and Jenna look a lot alike. After the comparisons started to get out of control, Jessie J addressed the situation via Instagram. It was probably for the best that Jessie took it upon herself to speak up, because her boyfriend and Jenna’s ex-husband kind of had a foot in both camps.
The post continued for 3 pages, with Jessie asking:
“Who feels good from this story?Who does this story inspire? Is picking who is prettier and then continuing to say why a good activity for women to participate in? No.”
“I’m talking in general too. Beyond this story. It’s constant with women. Picking favorites. Do the media do it with men? No. Are women gaining a positive lesson from it? No.”
“I am so disappointed and embarrassed that my name is even involved. It’s not something I stand for, at all. I don’t take stories like this lightly. Because I know the kind of impact it has on younger girls reading it. I spent so much of my childhood trying to be comfortable in my skin just like so many other little girls, and when I got older, decided to spend my career making lots of music to try and help/inspire myself and all other women to see their beauty from the inside out and will continue to do so. Man does the world need it. More now than ever.”
As for Jenna, her boyfriend is American actor Steve Kazee. Jenna spoke to John Cena, who was guest hosting The Ellen Show, about how dating Steve has made her a wrestling fan.
Even if Jenna and Channing are no longer in love with each other, we’re so glad that they’re out there experiencing love with other people. Keep up the good co-parenting work you two!
