A brief moment involving Dancing With the Stars pro Jenna Johnson has caught viewers’ attention after cameras appeared to show her looking serious while Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas received their judges’ scores. The expression quickly sparked online speculation, although there is no confirmed evidence that Johnson was upset with Higgins or her scores.
The moment happened during Week 2 of Season 35, as Higgins and Ballas received feedback following their performance. Higgins has quickly become one of the season’s most talked-about contestants, while Johnson is competing alongside actor and dancer Harry Shum Jr.
Higgins and Ballas performed a cha-cha to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” during Viral Hits Night. The pair earned 19 out of 30 points from the judges, keeping them among the stronger-scoring couples in the competition.
As the scores were announced, cameras captured Johnson in the background speaking with fellow professional dancer Pasha Pashkov. At one point, viewers noticed what appeared to be a change in her facial expression, leading some fans online to wonder whether she was reacting to Higgins’ score.
Some social-media users interpreted the expression as frustration, with speculation that Johnson might have been unhappy about the attention Higgins and Ballas were receiving. Others questioned that interpretation and pointed out that there was no way to know what Johnson and Pashkov were discussing at the time.
The speculation comes as Higgins has quickly established herself as a strong presence in the competition. Her Week 1 foxtrot with Ballas earned 21 out of 30 points, placing the pair at the top of the leaderboard after the premiere.
Johnson and Shum Jr., meanwhile, received 18 out of 30 points for their Week 2 Viennese waltz. Their routine generated its own online conversation after Shum unexpectedly screamed at the end of the dance. Johnson later explained that the moment was intentional and connected to the emotional theme they had developed for the routine.
Johnson has not publicly confirmed that her expression during Higgins’ scoring had anything to do with the other couple. In fact, the available reporting emphasizes that viewers were speculating about the brief moment rather than citing a statement from Johnson explaining that she was upset with Higgins.
The incident illustrates how closely fans are watching every reaction during Season 35. With fourteen couples still competing after Week 2, even a brief expression caught in the background can quickly become part of the online conversation surrounding the show.
For now, the meaning behind Johnson’s expression remains unclear. What is certain is that Higgins and Ballas continue to attract attention for their performances, while Johnson and Shum Jr. remain in the competition and prepare for another week of choreography. Until Johnson explains the moment herself, viewers are left with a brief camera shot and plenty of speculation.
Compiled with information from various sources.
