Jenna Dewan Says Her Children Are the ‘Perfect Cure’ for Her Darker Roles
Jenna Dewan has spent over twenty years in the acting industry, and her children have been instrumental in helping her shake off the more intense roles she portrays.
“Throughout the years, I’ve come to realize that once I leave the set, I essentially leave it behind,” Dewan, 44, shared exclusively with Us Weekly while promoting the seventh season of The Rookie. “In my mind, it’s like, I’m done as soon as I walk away.”
The actress, who portrays firefighter Bailey Nune on The Rookie, acknowledged that “occasionally it stays with you,” and that’s when she turns to her family to help lift her spirits.
“Becoming a parent is perhaps the best remedy for this because when I come home, my kids have no idea about my work,” Dewan elaborated. “They’re more interested in what’s for dinner, wanting a bath, or asking me to read them five stories. It helps me switch gears naturally.”
Dewan has an 11-year-old daughter, Everly, with her former spouse Channing Tatum. She also shares a 4-year-old son, Callum, and an 8-month-old daughter, Rhiannon, with her fiancé Steve Kazee.
In the seventh season of The Rookie, Dewan faced one of her darkest storylines when her character, Bailey, was kidnapped by her ex-husband Jason, portrayed by Kazee, 49. After enduring years of domestic violence from Jason, he was ultimately killed, but his presence still looms large, particularly in the episode that aired on February 18.
The latest episode showcased Bailey confronting another survivor of domestic violence, aiding her understanding that she was indeed a victim. While Bailey has come to rely on her husband, Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), Dewan expressed to Us that it isn’t always simple to compartmentalize these narratives.
Dewan has adopted several self-care strategies to facilitate a quicker transition from her on-screen persona back to her true self.
“I can either reach out to someone for a chat or take a long hot bath, visualizing everything draining away into the water,” she explained to Us. “I employ visualization techniques, especially on days that are more intense on set.”
The Step Up star mentioned that she has a “toolbox” filled with strategies to handle intense roles without allowing them to linger in her mind.
While Dewan can separate her work from her home life after a demanding day of filming, she recognizes that many victims of domestic violence lack this ability. She values The Rookie for its role in highlighting the harsh realities associated with such situations.
“I feel like I’ve gained much more understanding and empathy for domestic violence survivors through reading the scenes and conducting research,” she remarked, adding, “My hope is that individuals — both women and men — watching this find a sense of visibility in their experiences and that it might unlock something within them to aid in their personal journeys.”
Dewan mentioned receiving “a few messages” from viewers who related to Jason and Bailey’s storyline. Fans have shared, “I’ve been in a situation like that. I’ve had a man who hunted me down relentlessly. You’re giving me hope that I can find a healthy relationship that understands and sees me.”
While Dewan appreciates that fans have reached out, she told Us, “It’s heartbreaking to realize how many individuals are enduring this kind of control and psychological and physical abuse in their households.”
The Rookie airs on ABC on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assistance.
