Overview and Participation Summary
Robert Herjavec is a Croatian-Canadian businessman, investor, and television personality best known as a Shark Tank investor and author. He participated in season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, which aired in 2017 on ABC. His professional dance partner was Jenna Johnson, a professional Latin and ballroom dancer. The season paired celebrities with pro dancers in the traditional competition format, culminating in a live finale where finalists are scored by judges and audience votes.
Celebrity and Pro Partner Details
Celebrity Identity and Background
Robert Herjavec competed as the celebrity representative in his season. As a Shark Tank investor and founder of Herjavec Group, he brought public recognition and a background in technology entrepreneurship to the show. He was not a prior professional dancer or athlete, which is typical for the main competition format.
Professional Partner Information
His partner was Jenna Johnson, a professional dancer specializing in Latin and ballroom disciplines. Johnson had experience as both a competitor and a choreographer before joining the show. Their pairing followed the show’s standard model of matching a celebrity with a pro dancer whose style aligns with the competition’s required dances.
Season Performance and Scores
During season 23, Herjavec and Johnson performed a series of dances including cha-cha, foxtrot, salsa, jive, paso doble, and a freestyle routine. They received consistent mid-tier scores from the judges and maintained a steady presence in the competition. Weekly scores were based on a 30-point scale, combining judges’ evaluations and audience voting results at home.
| Week | Dance | Score (Judges) | Result/Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Cha-cha | 8 | Safe |
| Week 2 | Foxtrot | 9 | Safe |
| Week 3 | Salsa | 8 | Safe |
| Week 4 | Jive | 9 | Safe |
| Week 5 | Paso Doble | 8 | Eliminated |
Score Consistency and Competitive Standing
Across the weeks shown, Herjavec’s scores hovered in the 8 to 9 range, reflecting competent execution but not the highest technical precision among contestants. In the elimination in Week 5, judges opted to advance couples with higher cumulative scores, resulting in his departure before the semifinals.
Results and Elimination Details
Robert Herjavec was eliminated in Week 5 of season 23, placing him outside the top finalists. The judges’ critique focused on areas such as footwork precision, timing, and presentation, which are standard evaluation criteria on the show. His elimination was consistent with the scoring pattern, as he did not accumulate enough points to progress to the later rounds.
Competitive Context and Comparisons
Compared to winners and finalists of season 23, Herjavec’s performance was steady but not standout. Many contestants achieved higher average scores in the judges’ categories, particularly in faster dances like jive and paso doble. His consistent mid-range scoring showed reliability but limited room for advancement in a field where high-variance performances often earn progression.
- Average judge score: approximately 8.4 across aired dances
- Peak weekly score: 9
- Elimination round: Week 5
- Final placement: Not in the top finalists
Post-Show Career and Public Impact
After the season, Herjavec returned to his business ventures, including his role at Herjavec Group and public speaking engagements. While the show raised his public profile, his professional identity remains rooted in entrepreneurship and investing. He has not publicly indicated plans to pursue further competitive dancing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which season of Dancing with the Stars did Robert Herjavec compete in? He competed in season 23, which aired in 2017.
- Who was his dance partner? His partner was Jenna Johnson, a professional Latin and ballroom dancer.
- Did he win the competition? No, he was eliminated in Week 5 and did not reach the finals.
- What dances did he perform? He performed cha-cha, foxtrot, salsa, jive, paso doble, and a freestyle routine.
- What is his background outside the show? He is a Croatian-Canadian businessman, investor, author, and television personality, best known as a Shark Tank investor.