Jen Affleck Struggles with Postpartum Blues During ‘DWTS’ Rehearsal

Jen Affleck might be dancing her heart out in season 34 of Dancing With the Stars, yet her path hasn’t been without its hurdles as a new mom of three.

“POV: the postpartum blues start to creep in,” the The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 26, revealed in a TikTok video on Saturday, October 25. In the clip, Affleck is seen lounging on a couch, lacking motivation, while her pro partner Jan Ravnik encouraged her to join the dance.

With a smile, Affleck watched Ravnik, 30, groove to Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” before she jumped in to share the fun.

“Depression can’t hit a moving target 💃😏💪🏼 @Dancing with the Stars #DWTS @Jan Ravnik,” she captioned her TikTok post.

One fan chimed in, “The entire internet thinks you’re a queen for going on dwts postpartum and we also think you are being WAY underscored. You are an incredible dancer, mom, and wife! I’m rooting for you.”

Jen’s husband, Zac Affleck, also sent an uplifting message. “Team JJ is going to shock the world this week 😱🫶,” he said regarding Halloween Week, to which she responded, “That’s right 🥰❤.”

Competing this season of DWTS has been a challenge for Jen as she goes up against her Mormon Wives costar Whitney Leavitt, alongside Jordan Chiles, Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, and Dylan Efron. Rounding out the top nine are Danielle Fishel, Elaine Hendrix, and Andy Richter.

The reality star welcomed her third child, a daughter named Penelope, in July. She also has two other children, Nora, 3, and Luca, 2, with Zac. She started her DWTS journey just eight weeks postpartum.

“It meant everything to me,” Affleck stated to Us Weekly about the encouraging feedback from the judges in week 3. “As someone who is freshly postpartum, I still grapple with body image, which many women do, especially after having a baby. So any praise we receive really resonates with us.”

Jen has openly discussed the challenges of competing while recovering from childbirth and caring for a newborn.

“It’s a lot,” she remarked about balancing three kids under 3. “My body hurts. I’m still healing, but I’m enjoying myself and doing this for my kids so they can experience it too one day.”

She humorously added that while she wasn’t sure if her “pelvic floor is ready, I’m definitely ready.”

“It’s so real,” she said to Us about the mom guilt she feels after her Disney Week performance. “And guess what? Whether or not I’m doing Dancing With the Stars, mom guilt will always exist. It’s a testament to being a good mom because you strive to improve every day — for them, for yourself, for everyone.”

Ravnik has been thoroughly impressed with Jen’s determination, as have viewers at home.

“[My daughter] mentioned that one of the contestants had a baby like, nine weeks ago? It’s crazy because I thought, ‘Wait, I couldn’t even walk then. What do you mean?’” Maya Rudolph shared with Kylie Kelce on her “Not Gonna Lie” podcast earlier this month.

Kylie, 33, who recently welcomed her fourth daughter with husband Jason Kelce, agreed with the Saturday Night Live alum. “Is she wearing a diaper?” Kylie joked about postpartum underwear, adding, “I doubt those dance costumes provide enough space.”

Still amazed by Jen’s ability to compete post-baby, Kylie quipped, “Has anyone checked in on her?”

Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

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