DWTS Power Couple Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Finally Reveal the Secret Behind Their 10-Year Romance — How Love Survived Fame, Family, and the Ballroom Spotlight
born on Dancing With the Stars, few can rival the enduring romance of Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy. The pair, both decorated professionals on the hit ABC dance competition, recently celebrated a decade together — and they’re finally opening up about the secret behind their lasting relationship.
For fans, Jenna and Val’s love story has always felt like a fairytale rooted in sequins and ballroom glitz. They met through the show in 2014, when Johnson joined as a troupe member and Chmerkovskiy was already established as one of the series’ leading male pros. What began as a friendship soon blossomed into something more, though their path to forever wasn’t without bumps. The couple briefly split before rekindling their romance in 2017, proving that sometimes love needs a little space before it finds its way home.
In a new interview tied to the latest DWTS season, the couple shared that the key to their longevity lies in balance and perspective. “The ballroom is intense,” Jenna explained. “We’re both competitive, we both want to win, and that can sometimes spill over into our personal lives. But at the end of the day, we always choose each other over a mirrorball trophy.”
Val echoed the sentiment, noting that respect has been the foundation of their love. “We’re teammates in every sense,” he said. “There’s admiration, there’s friendship, and there’s passion. We’ve built our relationship on those three things, and they’ve carried us through every challenge.”
Their relationship has also been shaped by family. Val comes from a dynasty of dance, with brother Maksim Chmerkovskiy also a beloved DWTS pro. Jenna, meanwhile, often credits Val for embracing her entire family and culture as part of his own. The couple tied the knot in 2019 in a romantic ceremony in California and welcomed their first child, son Rome, in 2023. Parenthood, they say, has only deepened their connection.
“Having Rome changed everything,” Jenna admitted. “It gave us perspective on what really matters. We don’t stress the little things anymore. Watching Val as a dad makes me fall in love with him all over again.”
Val, known for his intensity on the dance floor, softened when talking about his new role. “Being a father is the greatest thing I’ve ever done. And having Jenna by my side through this journey… I can’t imagine life any other way.”
Fans have long admired the couple not just for their chemistry on stage, but for the authenticity they exude off it. While many celebrity romances fizzle under the glare of fame, Jenna and Val continue to prove that real love can thrive under the spotlight.
As Dancing With the Stars continues its run, audiences will undoubtedly keep cheering for Jenna and Val — not just as individual performers, but as the living proof that sometimes the best partnerships are built on and off the dance floor.
