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Updated Mar 06, 2025Inside Val Chmerkovskiy & Wife Jenna Johnson's Relationship
DWTS fans, prepare to swoon.
Photo: John Parra / Getty Images
Dancing With the Stars pros Val Chmerkovskiy and wife Jenna Johnson have captivated DWTS fans not only with their exceptional dance moves, but with their inspiring love story. From their initial meeting on the show in 2014 to enduring a brief breakup, rekindling their romance, and eventually tying the knot, their story has been full of passion.
Through their ups and downs, the couple navigated the DWTS spotlight with grace, supporting each other's performances while acknowledging the challenges that came with competing. As they juggled their professional and personal lives, Val and Jenna found common ground in their shared roles as parents when they welcomed their baby son, Rome. Keep reading to learn more about Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy's relationship milestones, along with more from their wedding in Rancho Palo Verdes, California.
- Val Chmerkovskiy and his wife, Jenna Johnson first met in 2014 on season 18 of Dancing with the Stars.
- Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy broke up for a while in 2016. They got back together in 2017.
- Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy got married on April 13, 2019.
- In February of 2023, Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy welcomed a baby son named Rome.
In this article:
- Who is Val Chmerkovskiy's Wife, Jenna Johnson?
- How The Couple Handles Life in the DWTS Spotlight
- Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy's Relationship Timeline
- Inside Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy's Wedding
Who is Val Chmerkovskiy's Wife, Jenna Johnson?
Val Chmerkovskiy is married to Jenna Johnson, a professional American Latin and ballroom dancer and choreographer. Her rise to fame began when she finished ladies' third runner-up on season 10 of So You Think You Can Dance back in 2013. She continued her professional dancing career on Dancing with the Stars, where she first met her now-husband, Valentin (Val) Chmerkovskiy. In 2024, she received an Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Choreography For Variety or Reality Programming" for a DWTS routine in honor of late judge Len Goodman.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
How The Couple Handles Life in the DWTS Spotlight
On season 32 of Dancing With The Stars, Chmerkovskiy was paired up with Marvel actress Xochitl Gomez. Johnson, who had just returned from maternity leave, performed with model Tyson Beckford. Johnson and Beckford were eliminated in the third week, but Chmerkovskiy and Gomez went on to win the competition.
In regards to Johnson's return to the show, Chmerkovskiy told Us Weekly in an interview, "We support each other, but we kind of vent to one another as well. So, it could be challenging… It's like you are living the stress of two couples because, obviously, we could have a great night and I'll be very happy, but if she and [Tyson] have a bad night, it's going to be a tough position to be celebrating in."
Chmerkovskiy added in that same interview, "[Parenting is] our common ground and we've talked about being better this season [with] leaving work at work and making sure that when we get home, we are focused on our boy and just our life."
Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy's Relationship Timeline
2014: Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Meet
Photo: Instagram / Jennajohnson
Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy first met in 2014 on season 18 of Dancing with the Stars. At the time, Johnson was a troupe member and Chmerkovskiy was on his fifth season performing as a pro dancer.
2016: Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Begin Dating
Fans speculated whether Johnson and Chmerkovskiy were dating when they were spotted having lunch together in West Hollywood in February 2016. How serious their relationship was at the time is still up for debate, but they certainly looked cute together in photos published by E News.
2016: Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Break Up Briefly
The couple broke up for a while in 2016 when romance sparked between Chmerkovskiy and Amber Rose during season 23 of Dancing with the Stars. Rose, who was paired with Chmerkovskiy's older brother, Maksim, competed against Chmerkovskiy and his celebrity partner Laurie Hernandez. They only dated for about five months before splitting in February 2017.
2017: Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Get Back Together
Photo: Instagram / Jennajohnson
Johnson and Chmerkovskiy got back together a few months after Chmerkovskiy's split with Rose. Although Johnson and Chmerkovskiy never posted photos of the two of them together, they took a trip across Europe together, posting on their own accounts. There is one photo of Johnson holding someone's hand, and according to excited IG comments, it was Chmerkovskiy's.
2018: Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Get Engaged
Photo: Instagram / Jennajohnson
Chmerkovskiy proposed to Johnson during a trip to Venice, Italy. Johnson announced the exciting news on Instagram on June 14, 2018 by sharing a sweet pic of Chmerkovskiy down on one knee.
2019: Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Get Married
Johnson and Chmerkovskiy had a romantic wedding in Rancho Palo Verdes, California on April 13, 2019. Just a few days after their wedding, Johnson and Chmerkovskiy went to the beaches of Saint Lucia for their romantic honeymoon getaway. The accessory of choice for the glowing bride was her hat, which read: "Mrs. Chmerkovskiy."
Photo: Instagram / Jennajohnson
2022: Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Announce Their Pregnancy
Photo: Instagram / Jennajohnson
On July 15, 2022, Johnson announced that the couple was expecting with a heartfelt Instagram post. "Our biggest dream come true yet," she wrote. "Baby Chmerkovskiy coming this January! My heart has grown beyond comprehension while growing this little miracle inside of me. We can't wait to meet our precious angel." A month later, Johnson posts again to her IG account, letting her followers know that they were expecting a baby boy.
2023: Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Welcome Son Rome
Both Johnson and Chmerkovskiy posted to Instagram on January 11, 2023, the day after their son, Rome Valentin Chmerkovskiy, was born.
Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy's Wedding Photos & Details
On April 13, 2019, Johnson and Chmerkovskiy tied the knot at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palo Verdes, California. They were joined by 200 guests, including their family, close friends and fellow DWTS crew. Johnson wore a stunning long-sleeved Vera Wang gown for the ceremony and changed into an intricate, white cap-sleeve dress designed by Tony Ward for Kleinfeld Bridal.
Chmerkovskiy rocked a custom-made black velvet tuxedo by Brooks Brothers. For the reception, he changed into a jacquard tuxedo with satin lapels, also designed by Brooks Brothers. Despite being professional dancers, the couple wanted their first dance to be low-key and intimate, so they slow-danced to "La Vie en Rose."
On their second wedding anniversary, Johnson took to Instagram to reflect on their early years of marriage. "These past two years have been filled with many ups and many downs but they've accumulated some of my FAVORITE memories we will share for a lifetime," she wrote. "We're in the thick (and only just the beginning) of writing 'Our Story' and I'm in love with every second of it. Let's continue to build 'Our Land', make each other laugh, and lift one another up... even when we both think we are right 😜 I love you Babychka and can't wait for infinity more years together."
