Val Chmerkovskiy faced an unexpected elimination from Dancing With the Stars on November 10, 2026, after his celebrity partner Jenna Dewan was voted out just before the semifinals. The pair earned 28 out of 30 points for their jazz routine to Janet Jackson’s All for You and collected two additional points by winning their dance-off against Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik. Despite their strong performance, they did not receive enough viewer votes to advance.
The 40-year-old Ukrainian-American professional dancer is one of the competition’s most successful performers, having won three Mirrorball Trophies during his television career. Beyond the ballroom, Chmerkovskiy is married to fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson, shares a young son with her and operates dance-related businesses alongside his older brother, Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Who Is Val Chmerkovskiy?
Valentin Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy, professionally known as Val Chmerkovskiy, was born on March 24, 1986, in Odesa, Ukraine, which was then part of the Soviet Union.
He is 40 years old as of November 2026 and stands approximately 6 feet tall.
Chmerkovskiy moved to the United States with his family in 1994 when he was eight years old. They settled in Brooklyn, New York, where he developed his interest in ballroom dancing.
He began competing at a young age and eventually became an accomplished Latin ballroom dancer. His competitive achievements included winning the World Junior Latin Championship and multiple United States national titles.
He also studied classical violin during childhood, developing musical abilities that complemented his dancing career.
Val Chmerkovskiy’s Dancing With the Stars Career
Chmerkovskiy joined Dancing With the Stars as a professional dancer in 2011 and gradually became one of the show’s most recognizable personalities.
His first Mirrorball Trophy victory came in Season 20 in 2015, when he partnered with actress Rumer Willis.
He secured his second championship in Season 23 alongside Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez in 2016.
His third victory came in Season 32 in 2023, when he partnered with actress Xochitl Gomez.
Throughout his television career, Chmerkovskiy has also competed alongside celebrities including Zendaya, Normani, Ginger Zee, Gabby Windey and Alix Earle.
During Season 35, he partnered with Jenna Dewan, an experienced dancer and actress known for Step Up and The Rookie.
Their November 10 elimination surprised viewers because the pair had received one of the evening’s highest judges’ scores. The result ended their championship hopes before the November 17 semifinals.
Who Is Val Chmerkovskiy’s Wife Jenna Johnson?
Val Chmerkovskiy is married to Jenna Johnson, an American professional ballroom dancer and choreographer who also appears on Dancing With the Stars.
Johnson was born on April 12, 1994, in Provo, Utah. She gained national recognition through So You Think You Can Dance before joining the professional cast of Dancing With the Stars.
The couple met through their involvement with the television competition and developed a romantic relationship after working together.
They became engaged in June 2018 during a trip to Venice, Italy.
Chmerkovskiy and Johnson married on April 13, 2019, at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Their wedding brought together family members, friends and several familiar faces from the ballroom dancing community.
Both have continued competing professionally after their marriage. During Season 35, Johnson partnered with actor Harry Shum Jr. and advanced to the semifinals after her husband’s elimination.
Val Chmerkovskiy’s Son and Family Life
Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson welcomed their first child, a son named Rome Valentin Chmerkovskiy, on January 10, 2023.
As of November 2026, Rome is three years old.
The couple have occasionally shared photographs and family milestones through social media, giving fans glimpses of their lives outside television.
Chmerkovskiy has spoken about the importance of fatherhood and how becoming a parent changed his priorities.
His marriage to Johnson also represents a professional partnership, as both understand the demands of competitive dancing, rehearsals, television production and international touring.
Val Chmerkovskiy’s Parents and Brother
Val Chmerkovskiy was born to Aleksandr and Larisa Chmerkovskiy in Ukraine.
His father worked in the merchant marine, while his mother had a professional background in engineering.
The family relocated to the United States seeking greater opportunities and a more secure future.
His older brother, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, also became a successful professional ballroom dancer and television personality.
Maksim gained international recognition through Dancing With the Stars and won the competition in Season 18 alongside Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis.
The brothers have collaborated professionally for many years, including through the Dance With Me ballroom studio business.
Val has also supported humanitarian initiatives connected to Ukraine, particularly following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Val Chmerkovskiy’s Net Worth and Business Ventures
Val Chmerkovskiy has accumulated wealth through television appearances, competitive dancing, choreography, touring and business activities.
Public celebrity wealth estimates place his net worth at approximately $7 million, although his exact personal financial holdings have not been independently verified.
His lengthy association with Dancing With the Stars has been an important source of professional income. However, his individual television salary and contract details have not been publicly confirmed.
Alongside his brother, he has been involved in operating Dance With Me studios, which provide ballroom dancing instruction and training.
Chmerkovskiy also published his memoir, I’ll Never Change My Name: An Immigrant’s American Dream from Ukraine to the USA to Dancing with the Stars, in 2018.
His other professional activities include live dance tours, choreography and entertainment appearances.
As of November 2026, Chmerkovskiy remains one of the most accomplished professional dancers associated with Dancing With the Stars. Although his Season 35 journey ended before the semifinals, his three championships, business ventures and family life continue to define his career beyond the competition.
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