DWTS Harry Shum Jr. Defends Dance Experience After He, Jenna Johnson Land Highest Score

Harry Shum Jr. is spinning his way into the top of Dancing With the Stars.

And while, yes, he comes in with a wealth of dance experience—from playing Mike Chang onGleeto being a backup dancer for the likes ofBeyoncéandJennifer Lopez—he’s adamant that doesn’t necessarily give him an advantage.

“I think a lot of people who had dance backgrounds don’t make it very far,” Harry told E! News after the Sept. 15 premiere. “That tells you everything you need to know about what the show is. It’s beyond just dancing. It’s like storytelling—who you are, your personality, your connection between, not just your partner, but with the audience.”

He added, “That’s what I love about the show. Because I used to see it as dancing only, and when I watched last season, I was like, ‘Oh, there’s just so much more.’”

So far, however, it would appear he’s got both the dancing and storytelling down, with his andpartner Jenna Johnson’s cha-cha earning the highest score of the evening at 21. But the pro isn’t letting them get caught up in their success—after all, only half of the contestants performed during the premiere.