Jenna Dewan Reflects on Resilience and Fresh Starts in 2024

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actress Jenna Dewan opened up about her personal growth and resilience in a reflective essay published in InStyle on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. The 44-year-old star of *The Rookie* shared her journey of self-discovery and the lessons she learned during a transformative 2024.

“This past year I learned that life has a way of bringing you exactly what you need to learn at exactly the right time,” Dewan wrote. She described the transitions she experienced as “invitations to grow, to lean into the discomfort and discover the strength I didn’t know I had.”

Though she did not mention her ex-husband Channing Tatum or their 2018 divorce directly, Dewan emphasized the importance of self-forgiveness and perseverance. “Fresh starts, I’ve realized, don’t wait for calendars or big proclamations,” she wrote. “They happen in the quiet choices: forgiving yourself, showing up again, trusting the process even when it feels hopeless.”

Dewan, who shares an 11-year-old daughter with Tatum, expressed gratitude for her current partner, Steve Kazee, and their life together. “I am so grateful for my family, the love and presence of my partner, Steve, and the adventures we will have this year,” she wrote. “I see some travel, lots of family laughs, and, most importantly, maybe a wedding finally!”

The essay, written before the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, also touched on Dewan’s outlook for the future. “I am not searching for perfection but for presence,” she said. “Each fresh chapter is a gift waiting to be unwrapped.”

Dewan and Tatum, who starred together in *Step Up*, separated in 2018 after nearly nine years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in September 2024 after a lengthy legal process. A source close to the actress told PEOPLE at the time that the settlement was a “drawn-out and sometimes frustrating situation.”

In a September 2024 Instagram post, Dewan shared a message of empowerment. “There is a woman who knows her worth,” she wrote. “Never underestimate the value of your hard work and contributions. We rise by lifting each other up with love and grace. And when we do so, the rest falls into place.”

Dewan’s essay highlights her journey of resilience and self-discovery, offering a glimpse into her life as she embraces new beginnings with her family and partner.