Honestly, if you haven’t rewatched the 2016 season premiere of Lip Sync Battle lately, you’re missing out on arguably the peak of 2010s pop culture. It was the "Tatum Takeover." Channing Tatum versus Jenna Dewan. At the time, they were Hollywood’s golden couple, and the stakes felt weirdly high.
Most people remember Channing dressed as Elsa from Frozen or the literal internet-breaking moment when Beyoncé materialized during his "Run the World (Girls)" set. But the real talk? It was Jenna Dewan’s tribute to Magic Mike that actually stole the show for the dance purists. She didn't just "do a dance." She did the dance.
The Pony Performance That Left Everyone Sweating
When Ginuwine’s "Pony" started playing, the audience knew exactly where Jenna was going. She stepped out in a white tank top, backwards cap, and baggy sweats—the uniform of her then-husband’s most famous character.
It wasn't just a parody. Jenna Dewan is a professional dancer who toured with Janet Jackson and starred in Step Up, so the technique was terrifyingly good. She performed the exact choreography Alison Faulk created for the Magic Mike movie. We're talking about the floor work, the "worm," and those very specific, aggressive thrusts that Channing made famous.
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That Lap Dance Moment
The climax of the jenna dewan lip sync wasn't just her solo moves. It was when she brought Channing out to a chair in the middle of the stage. She gave him a full-blown lap dance while wearing painted-on abs.
The camera kept cutting to Chrissy Teigen and LL Cool J, and their faces were basically a mirror for everyone at home. It was equal parts hilarious, impressive, and—let’s be real—a little bit awkward to watch with your parents. Channing’s reaction was the best part; he was losing it, clearly impressed that his wife could out-Channing him on national TV.
Why the "Cold Hearted" Set Was Just as Wild
People tend to focus on the "Pony" routine because of the Magic Mike connection, but Jenna’s other performance that night was a technical masterpiece. She tackled Paula Abdul’s "Cold Hearted."
If you know the original music video, it’s all about scaffolding, tight choreography, and a lot of feline energy. Jenna didn't just mimic it; she brought out the legend herself. Paula Abdul joined her on stage halfway through, and seeing the two of them sync up was a massive "full circle" moment for Jenna, who grew up idolizing 90s dance icons.
The Beyoncé Factor
There’s a bit of behind-the-scenes drama that most people forget. Jenna was actually supposed to film her segments first. However, because Beyoncé is, well, Beyoncé, her window to appear was incredibly small.
The producers had to swap the order at the last second. Jenna had to stand backstage and watch her husband perform with the biggest superstar on the planet, complete with a massive budget and a literal horse. Imagine having to follow that. Most people would crumble. Jenna just went out and did the "Pony" lap dance. That’s elite-level confidence.
The Legacy of the Tatum Takeover
That specific episode of Lip Sync Battle didn't just go viral; it broke records. It pulled in about 4.7 million viewers, which was a massive high for Spike TV (now Paramount Network). It effectively turned the show from a "fun segment from Jimmy Fallon" into a standalone cultural juggernaut.
Years later, the jenna dewan lip sync remains a reference point for how to do the show right. It wasn't just about moving your lips; it was about the physicality.
- Athleticism: Jenna’s background as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson meant she brought a level of "pro" that the show rarely saw.
- The Chemistry: Even though they eventually split, that episode captured a specific era of their relationship where they were perfectly in sync.
- The Choreography: Using the original Magic Mike choreographer, Alison Faulk, made the "Pony" performance feel authentic rather than a cheap joke.
What You Can Learn from Jenna's Performance
If you're a dancer or just a fan of stagecraft, there’s actually a lot to dissect here. Jenna’s ability to "sell" a character is what made it work. She didn't just dance as herself; she adopted Channing’s mannerisms, his gait, and his specific style of swagger.
If you're looking to revisit this iconic moment, don't just watch the 30-second clips on TikTok. Find the full "Cold Hearted" and "Pony" performances. Notice the footwork and the breath control. It's a masterclass in how to command a stage when you're not even the one actually singing the lyrics.
To really appreciate the technical skill involved, look up Jenna's old rehearsal footage on her YouTube channel. She’s often talked about how nervous she was to do the Magic Mike routine because she wanted to get the "masculine" energy of the dance exactly right. She nailed it, and honestly, we’re still talking about it a decade later for a reason.
Next Step: Watch the side-by-side comparison of Jenna's "Pony" performance next to Channing's original movie scene to see just how many tiny details she actually mimicked.