You see them on your TV every Monday night, gliding across the ballroom floor like they don’t have a single care in the world. Val Chmerkovskiy, the brooding Ukrainian-born powerhouse with two (now three, if you're counting the latest stats) Mirrorball trophies, and his wife, Jenna Johnson. But calling Jenna "Val’s wife" is kind of like calling a Ferrari "just a car." It misses the point entirely.
Honestly, if you’ve been following Dancing with the Stars for more than a minute, you know that Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy is a force of nature in her own right. She didn’t just marry into the "First Family of Ballroom"; she essentially conquered it. From her humble beginnings in Utah to becoming the first pro to ever compete in a same-sex partnership on the show, Jenna’s story is way more interesting than the tabloids usually let on.
The "Val Dancing with the Stars Wife" Label: What People Get Wrong
People love a good romance. We’re suckers for it. But for a long time, the search results for val dancing with the stars wife were mostly about their 2019 wedding or their "on-again, off-again" drama from the early days.
What gets lost is that Jenna was a five-time U.S. National Latin Champion before she even stepped foot in the DWTS troupe. She wasn't some lucky fan who met Val at a meet-and-greet. She was his peer. In fact, she’s often the one pushing the creative boundaries in their household. Remember her Season 33 win with Joey Graziadei? That wasn't just luck. That was a masterclass in choreography that even Val—ever the perfectionist—had to tip his hat to.
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A Relationship That Almost Didn't Happen
It wasn't always roses and perfect 10s. They met back in 2014 when Jenna joined the troupe. Val was already the established "bad boy" pro, and Jenna was the new girl from So You Think You Can Dance. They started dating in 2015, but then things got messy.
They actually broke up for a while in 2016. Val went on to date Amber Rose (yeah, remember that?), and it looked like the Jenna-Val era was over before it really started. But Europe has a way of fixing things, doesn't it? They reconnected in 2017 during a trip to Italy and France. By the time they showed up to Val’s brother Maks’ wedding to Peta Murgatroyd, it was pretty clear they were the real deal.
Val eventually proposed in Venice in 2018. He said back then that she made him the "best version" of himself. And you can see it. Val used to be a lot more... let's say "intense." Marriage to Jenna seems to have mellowed him out, or at least given him a different kind of focus.
Winning the Mirrorball: Like Wife, Like Husband
The Chmerkovskiy house is basically a museum for Mirrorball trophies at this point.
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- Val’s Wins: Rumer Willis, Laurie Hernandez, and Xochitl Gomez.
- Jenna’s Wins: Adam Rippon (the Athletes season) and Joey Graziadei (Season 33).
When Jenna won with Joey Graziadei in late 2024, it was a huge moment. It solidified her as one of the elite pros who can take a "non-dancer" and turn them into a champion. She also made history with JoJo Siwa in Season 30. That was a massive risk for the show and for her career, but it became one of the most celebrated partnerships in the history of the franchise.
Life as Working Parents in 2026
Fast forward to today. It’s 2026, and the narrative has shifted from "the hot new couple" to "how do they do it all?" They have a son now, Rome Valentin Chmerkovskiy, born in January 2023.
If you follow Jenna on TikTok, you’ve seen the "real" side of their lives. It’s not all sequins and spray tans. Val recently admitted in a People interview that finding time for "couple things" is "hit or miss" these days. They’re juggling a toddler, a national tour, and their own individual projects.
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Jenna has been incredibly open about the struggles, too. She didn't hide the fact that they faced a miscarriage in 2021. She’s talked about the body image issues that come with being a professional dancer in the public eye. That’s why people love her. She feels like a real person who just happens to be able to do a triple spin in three-inch heels.
The Dynamics of a Two-Pro Household
Think about the "work talk" at their dinner table.
"Hey honey, how was your day?"
"Fine, I just spent eight hours trying to teach a Bachelor how to cha-cha without looking like a baby giraffe. You?"
"Oh, I just got an Emmy nomination for that Len Goodman tribute we did."
(True story, by the way—they were both nominated for their choreography honoring the late Len Goodman).
What’s Next for Jenna and Val?
So, if you’re looking for the latest on the val dancing with the stars wife situation, here’s the bottom line: they aren't slowing down. Jenna has expressed interest in hosting—she’s already done some work for Entertainment Tonight—and she’s hinted at wanting to hit the Broadway stage eventually.
Val is still heavily involved in their Dance with Me studios and his charitable work with Baranova 27, helping out in Ukraine. They are a brand now. A powerhouse.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're inspired by Jenna's journey or just want to keep up with the Chmerkovskiys, here’s what you should actually do:
- Watch the Choreography, Not Just the Scores: If you want to see why Jenna is a pro's pro, go back and watch her contemporary routine with Adam Rippon or her freestyle with Joey Graziadei. Look at the storytelling, not just the steps.
- Follow the Right Channels: For the most authentic look at their lives, skip the gossip sites. Jenna’s Instagram and TikTok are where she posts the unedited "mom moments" and the behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage that never makes it to the ABC broadcast.
- Support the Art: They often teach workshops through conventions like 24 Seven. If you're a dancer (or have a kid who is), seeing Jenna teach is a completely different experience than watching her perform. Her technical knowledge is insane.
Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy might have started as the "new girl" on the troupe, but in 2026, she’s arguably the most influential woman in the ballroom. Val is a lucky guy, sure—but the show is even luckier to have her.