Dewan’s father, Darryll Dewan, was a running back for the Notre Dame football team. Her parents divorced during her childhood, and her mother later remarried Claude Brooks Smith. Jenna spent much of her youth in Texas, where she attended Grapevine High School and was an active member of the cheerleading squad. After graduating, she enrolled at the University of Southern California. While there, she joined Pi Beta Phi, an international women's fraternity.

Early Dance Career

Before launching her acting career, Jenna Dewan worked as a backup dancer for several high-profile artists, including Janet Jackson, Sean Combs, and Missy Elliott. This period was instrumental in shaping her career, as she gained valuable on-stage and professional experience. She also made appearances in music videos, such as Christina Aguilera’s “Not Myself Tonight,” and played a minor role in the comedy film The Hot Chick (2002).

Acting Career and Breakthrough with "Step Up"

Dewan made her acting debut in 2004 with a guest role on the Fox television series Quintuplets. She soon landed roles in films such as Tamara and Take the Lead. Her breakthrough came in 2006 with the hit dance film Step Up, where she portrayed Nora Clark, a talented and driven dance student. The film was a commercial success and spawned a franchise, earning Dewan considerable recognition. Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Channing Tatum garnered widespread attention and led to her 2007 Teen Choice Awards nomination for Choice Movie: Dance Scene.