When Val Chmerkovskiy first stepped onto the ballroom floor in 2011, he wasn't just "Maks’ little brother." He was a 14-time U.S. National Champion with a violin case in one hand and a chip on his shoulder. Fast forward to 2026, and the landscape of Val Chmerkovskiy and Dancing with the Stars has shifted from a story of individual ambition to one of a legacy.
He’s not just a dancer anymore. He’s a dad, a three-time champion, and honestly, the soul of a show that has seen its fair share of turnover.
Many people think the "pro" life is just sparkles and spray tans. It’s actually a grueling ten-week sprint of sleep deprivation and physical therapy. Val has been doing this for over twenty seasons. That’s a lot of sambas.
The Mirrorball Count: More Than Just Luck
Winning once on this show is hard. Winning three times? That’s basically a miracle given how much the audience's whim matters. Val finally grabbed his first trophy in Season 20 with Rumer Willis. It felt like a long time coming. Then came the dominant run with Laurie Hernandez.
But it was his Season 32 win with Xochitl Gomez that really cemented his status. They didn't just win; they were the first pair to take home the newly dedicated Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
🔗 Read more: Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai and why Jim Jarmusch's cult hit still hits different
For Val, that win was heavy. It wasn't about the plastic and glitter. It was about honoring the man who judged him for a decade.
- Season 20: Rumer Willis (The Breakthrough)
- Season 23: Laurie Hernandez (The Dominance)
- Season 32: Xochitl Gomez (The Legacy)
He nearly added a fourth in late 2025. Partnering with Alix Earle for Season 34, Val proved he could still keep up with the "social media" era of the show. They finished as runners-up, losing to Robert Irwin and Witney Carson in a finale that had everyone on Twitter—er, X—screaming.
Why Val Chmerkovskiy and Dancing with the Stars Still Works
You’ve gotta wonder why he stays. Most pros burn out or head to Broadway after five years. Val stayed through the move to Disney+ and the move back to ABC. He stayed when the live band left. He stayed when his brother Maks left.
The secret? He actually cares about the teaching.
If you watch his rehearsal footage, he’s intense. Kinda scary, sometimes. But he has this weird ability to turn people who have never touched a dance floor into semi-professionals in six weeks. Look at his work with Gabby Windey or Normani. He doesn't just give them "safe" steps. He gives them choreography that would make a world champion sweat.
The Family Business: Jenna, Rome, and the Tour
Life changed for Val in 2023. That’s when Rome Valentine Chmerkovskiy was born. Suddenly, the guy who used to stay in the studio until 2 a.m. had a reason to go home.
His marriage to fellow pro Jenna Johnson is basically the "First Family" of the ballroom now. They are currently gearing up for the 2026 DWTS: Live! Tour. It’s a massive 74-date trek across the country. And yeah, they’re taking the toddler with them.
"We prioritize the celebrities during the season," Jenna told reporters recently. "The tour is where the pros get to be the stars."
It’s a different vibe. No judges. No eliminations. Just pure dancing. For Val, it’s a chance to dance with Jenna—something they rarely get to do during the competitive season since they're usually trying to beat each other.
The Retirement Question
Is he quitting? The rumors fly every December.
Val is 39 now. In the world of professional Latin dance, that’s "senior citizen" territory. Your knees start to click. Your back hurts when it rains. He’s admitted that he wants to "squeeze every ounce" out of his body before he hangs it up.
💡 You might also like: Why Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Struggled to Find Its Path
He’s mentioned wanting to sit at the judges' table one day. Honestly, he’d be great at it. He’s got the technical knowledge and the "blunt Eastern European" honesty that the show sometimes lacks. But for now, he’s still in the thick of it.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following Val's journey or want to see him live, here is what you need to do:
- Check the 2026 Tour Dates: The tour runs from January through May 2026. If you want to see Val and Jenna dance together (not against each other), this is the only place to do it.
- Watch the Rehearsal Clips: If you want to actually learn about dance, ignore the Monday night performances for a second. Go to YouTube and watch the "Behind the Scenes" footage. Val’s teaching style is a masterclass in psychology.
- Follow the "Baranova 27" Work: Beyond the ballroom, Val and his family do massive humanitarian work for Ukraine. If you want to support the man, support his cause.
The story of Val Chmerkovskiy and Dancing with the Stars isn't over yet, but it’s definitely in a new chapter. It’s less about proving he’s the best and more about enjoying the fact that he’s still there.