amie Lynn Spears attends FOX’s ‘Special Forces: The Ultimate Test’ Los Angeles premiere on December 13, 2022.Photo:Emma McIntyre/Getty

Emma McIntyre/Getty
Jamie Lynn Spearsis opening up about how her family reacted toher debut performanceonDancing with the Stars.
The 32-year-oldZoey 102star said it “meant everything” to have daughters —Maddie, 15, andIvey, 5 — in the audience to cheer on her during night one of the dance competition with her momLynne Spears.
“It was like, OK, at least to have that, it’s been a day, I got my girls here and my family, and that was it,” she toldEntertainment Tonight. “I don’t think it would have been nearly as special without them.”
TheSweet Magnoliaactress shared that her daughters were “really proud” ofher tango to Mabel’s “Don’t Call Me Up"with partnerAlan Bersten.
Spears added that joining the ABC dance competition has served as a “bonding experience for us, so I’ve really enjoyed it.”
The former Nickelodeon star shared a series of photos from the premiere with her family onInstagram, sharing, “big THANKS to all those who work so incredibly hard to put on such massively hard production like this, yet still manage to make it so wonderful, even when you’re so nervous ya need to vomit💃🏼”
She continued, “huge THANK YOU to all my friends, family, and fans for the unbelievable support and VOTES for us last night! I’m honored to have this incredible experience, and be able to use it as an opportunity to give back to my#SAGcommunity who can not work as we continue to fight the good fight🖤💛 love y’all. thank y’all.”
She shared in her video package before the night one dance that she’s doingDancing with the Starsto inspire her daughters.
“I’m here to show my children there’s nothing more rewarding than being afraid to fail and doing it anyway,” she explained.
Last month, it was announced onGood Morning Americathat Spears was set tojoinseason 32 castof DWTS.
Asked if she was ready for it, Spears toldGMA, “I don’t know if one can ever be 100 percent ready to take on something this big; I didn’t realize what a commitment it is, but it definitely is. I’m ready to challenge myself.”
Spears went on to reveal that she’ll be donating her weekly earnings toSAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. (The WGA strike has sinceended.)
“While everybody else in my community is on strike, I have this unique opportunity where I was offered a chance to work when my community cannot work. So I figured I’ll do this and I will donate my weekly salary … to just give back to them at a time where they can’t give back to themselves,” she said.
ABC/Andrew Eccles

As for how her family reacted to the casting news, Spears said they’ve been supportive of her putting on her dance shoes.
“Typically I’d be working on different ventures but I think it’s just important that I have this opportunity,” she continued. “And if I get up there and even if I embarrass myself, I’m doing it for a good reason and hopefully giving back to the community that’s literally given back to me since I was a little girl.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Dancing with the Starsairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, and streams on Disney+ and Hulu.
source: people.com