The show must go on.
Jen Affleck is battling illness ahead of “Dedication Night” on Dancing with the Stars.
The “Mormon Wives” star’s husband, Zach Affleck, revealed the news on social media, asking fans to “pray” for his wife as she prepares for Tuesday night’s performance.
“She’s been very sick this week. She hasn’t been able to practice and has been in bed most of the week 🤒🥲,” he wrote in a TikTok post, which also included a photo of the reality TV star.
Jen and her professional partner, Elas tour dancer Jan Ravnik, will perform a Viennese waltz to Lauren Daigle’s “Rescue” on Tuesday’s “Dedication Night.”
Zac explained that Jen is dedicating this routine to her mother, Maria, her children, and “to all mothers.”
“Anyone who knows Jen knows what an amazing mother she is ❤️🥺,” he gushed.
Luckily, Jen’s mom is scheduled to visit Los Angeles this week. She cooked Jen homemade meals and helped care for her, giving her the strength to continue competing.
“Jen never asked, but she really needs all the help and prayers she can get,” Zach shared.
Zach encouraged supporters to leave comments and DMs and print them out so they can “decorate Jen’s trailer” with healing words before the show.
“I hope your kind comments come as a surprise!” he added. “Thank you for all the love and support Jen.”
Fans flocked to the comments section of Zac’s post to send well wishes and messages of encouragement.
“We love you Jen!! Hope you get better soon, you always bring a smile to the dance floor and your smile makes everyone else smile!! 🙏🏼,” one person wrote.
“I love Jen so much!! I really hope she gets better! She has such a big heart and deserves the best! Praying for her!” a second person said.
“I’ve said it so many times, Jen saved my life. While this show was airing in the hospital, I was going through the toughest time of my life. You are such a strong, inspirational, and important person to me. Keep fighting ❤,” a fan said, to which Zach replied, “Wow, thank you…I can’t wait for her to read it this Tuesday.”
Zac’s post of support came shortly after Jen shared a photo of herself receiving an IV drip.
“I didn’t practice much this week. With lots of rest and help from Zach and my family, I was still able to accomplish something,” she wrote. “Ironically, my song is ‘Rescue.’ This week has tested me in ways I never imagined.”
She confirmed that she did not have coronavirus, but did not reveal what kind of illness she was battling.
The mother-of-three started competing in the dance competition series just two months after giving birth, after she and Zac welcomed a new member to the family, daughter Penelope.
The couple also have a daughter, Nora, 3, and a son, Lucas, 2.
In an exclusive interview with Page Six last month, Jen said jumping into the series after giving birth to her third child was “very difficult.”
“I work out half the day and come home tired. But I have three babies to take care of,” she told Us. “I have to cook, I clean, I have to do all the normal motherly things, but it shows me that I’m a mother. That’s just what we mothers do.”
“Dancing with the Stars” airs every Tuesday at 8pm ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, with new episodes available to stream the next day on Hulu.
