Valentin Chmerkovskiy

Valentin Aleksandrovich "Val" Chmerkovskiy (born March 24, 1986) is a Ukrainian and American professional Latin and ballroom dancer and choreographer. Born in Odesa and raised in Brooklyn, he started appearing on the ABC competition series Dancing with the Stars during its second season.

Chmerkovskiy was promoted to a pro on the series in 2011. He won the twentieth season with actress Rumer Willis, the twenty-third season with Olympic artistic gymnast Laurie Hernandez, and the thirty-second season with actress Xochitl Gomez. Chmerkovskiy received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his work with his wife, Jenna Johnson, on the series.

Early life

Valentin Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy was born on March 24, 1986, in Odesa, Ukrainian SSR (present-day Ukraine). His father, Aleksandr "Sasha" Chmerkovskiy, is a Jewish marine merchant, while his mother, Larisa Chmerkovskaya, is a Christian engineer. He has an older brother, Maksim, who is also a professional ballroom dancer.

Chmerkovskiy learned about the principles of dance through his brother. He started taking classical violin lessons when he was five years old and began dance training when he was seven, before he and his family immigrated to Brooklyn, New York in 1994. He continued his training at a youth-oriented dance studio in Bergen County, New Jersey, which was established by his brother and father.

Career

Dancesport

Chmerkovskiy is the first and only American to win the IDSF Junior and Youth World Championships. Additionally, he is a 14-time U.S. National Latin champion (Junior, U21/Youth, Adult Amateur), a Blackpool Open U21 winner, and an amateur Latin finalist at the Blackpool Dance Festival, UK Open Championships, and the International Championships. In 2001, Chmerkovskiy and his dance partner, Diana Olonetskaya, became the first American dance team to win a world junior championship title.

Dancing with the Stars

Chmerkovskiy first appeared on season 2, February 10, 2006, as a student of his brother during Week 6. The students were: Valentin & Valeriya Kozharinova, Sergei Onik & Michelle Glazarov and Boris Leokumovich & Nicole Volynets. The couples performed two numbers.

Chmerkovskiy then appeared once again on season 4 results show on May 8, 2007. He starred in a dance-off against his brother, Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

Chmerkovskiy appeared on the season 10 results show on April 6, 2010. He did a country western themed routine with his brother Maksim, Edyta Śliwińska and Snejana Petrova.

He appeared on the season 11 results show on October 5, 2010, performing a music and dance duel against Mark Ballas. While performing to the song "Toxic" by Britney Spears, Val played the violin and danced with Lacey Schwimmer.

In season 13, Chmerkovskiy was partnered with model and actress Elisabetta Canalis. They were eliminated second, finishing in 11th place.

In season 14, Chmerkovskiy was partnered with comedian and talk show host Sherri Shepherd. On Rock Week (Week 4) of Dancing with the Stars, they were the third couple to be eliminated, finishing in 10th place.

Chmerkovskiy danced as a professional partner in season 15 with season 1 winner, Kelly Monaco. They finished in third place in the season finale.

For season 16, Chmerkovskiy was partnered with Disney Channel's Shake It Up star, Zendaya. On May 21, Zendaya and Val came in second place behind Derek Hough and Kellie Pickler.

For season 17, he paired with film and television actress Elizabeth Berkley. Despite receiving high scores, including the season's first perfect score, they were unexpectedly eliminated on week 9, finishing in sixth place.

For season 18, he paired with actress and author Danica McKellar. They were eliminated on Week 8 and ended in sixth place.

For season 19, he was paired with Pretty Little Liars actress Janel Parrish. They made it to the finals and finished in third place.

For season 20, he was paired with actress and singer Rumer Willis. On May 19, 2015, Willis and Chmerkovskiy were crowned the winners, marking Chmerkovskiy's first win.

For season 21, he was partnered with R&B singer and reality television star, Tamar Braxton. On November 11, 2015, Braxton revealed that she had to withdraw from the competition due to health issues.

For season 22, he was partnered with meteorologist Ginger Zee. The couple made it to the finals, but ultimately ended in third place.

For season 23, he was partnered with Olympic artistic gymnast Laurie Hernandez. On November 22, Hernandez and Chmerkovskiy won the title, giving Chmerkovskiy his 2nd mirrorball.

For season 24, he was partnered with Fifth Harmony singer Normani. They made it to the finals and finished in third place.

For season 25, he was partnered with former Paralympic swimmer Victoria Arlen. They made it to the semi-finals in week 9 but were then eliminated, finishing in fifth place.

Chmerkovskiy did not return for season 26, but he was revealed to be back for season 27 where he was paired with actress Nancy McKeon. They were the third couple to be eliminated, finishing in 11th place.

For season 28, he returned where he was originally paired with model and actress Christie Brinkley. However, five days before the premiere, she withdrew from the competition due to a broken arm sustained in rehearsals. As a result, Brinkley's daughter and model Sailor Brinkley-Cook stepped in as a replacement. Despite consistently earning high scores, the couple was surprisingly eliminated on week 6 and finished in ninth place.

For season 29, he was paired with cheerleading coach and reality television star Monica Aldama. They were eliminated in Week 7 and finished in seventh place.

For season 30, he was partnered with influencer Olivia Jade. They were eliminated in Week 8 and finished in eighth place.

For season 31, he was partnered with The Bachelorette star Gabby Windey. They made it to the finals and finished in second place behind Charli D'Amelio and Mark Ballas.

For season 32, he was partnered with actress Xochitl Gomez. On December 5, Gomez and Chmerkovskiy won the title, giving Chmerkovskiy his 3rd mirrorball.

For season 33, he was partnered with reality television personality Phaedra Parks. They reached week 5 of competition and finished in 8th place.

For season 34, he was partnered with social media influencer and model Alix Earle. They finished as the runners-up behind Robert Irwin and Witney Carson.

Season 13

with Elisabetta Canalis

Season 14

with Sherri Shepherd

Season 15

with Kelly Monaco

Season 16

with Zendaya

Season 17

with Elizabeth Berkley Lauren

Season 18

with Danica McKellar

Season 19

with Janel Parrish

Season 20

with Rumer Willis

Season 21

with Tamar Braxton

Season 22

with Ginger Zee

Season 23

with Laurie Hernandez

Season 24

with Normani

Season 25

with Victoria Arlen

Season 27

with Nancy McKeon

Season 28

with Sailor Brinkley-Cook

Season 29

with Monica Aldama

Season 30

with Olivia Jade

Season 31

with Gabby Windey

Season 32

with Xochitl Gomez

Season 33

with Phaedra Parks

Season 34

with Alix Earle

Other Reality Television Appearances

In 2019, Chermovskiy appeared on an episode 'Say Yes to The Dress' with his now-wife, Jenna Johnson.

In April 2025, Chermkovskiy appeared in the Hulu series 'Got to Get Out'. He remained 'inside' until the end of the show.

In December 2025, it was announced Chmerkovskiy would appear on season 30 of the Food Network show Worst Cooks in America.

Personal life

Chmerkovskiy owns nine social dance studios in the New York metropolitan area, Texas and Nevada with his brother.

In 2015, Chmerkovskiy began an on and off relationship with fellow DWTS dancer Jenna Johnson. In 2017, he confirmed that he and Johnson were dating again. On June 15, 2018, the couple shared their engagement on Instagram. They were married on April 13, 2019. On July 15, 2022, Chmerkovskiy and Johnson announced that they were pregnant with their first child, due in January 2023. Their son, Rome Valentin Chmerkovskiy, was born on January 10, 2023.

Notes

External links

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