Val Chmerkovskiy and wife Jenna Johnson are both competing on “Dancing With the Stars” season 34, but how did the couple first meet? Find out how long they’ve been together and what Johnson’s first impression of her now-husband was.
Val Chmerkovskiy & Jenna Johnson’s Love Story Started on ‘Dancing With the Stars’
Chmerkovskiy is partnered with internet personality Alix Earle and Johnson’s partner is Corey Feldman for “DWTS” season 34.
The pro dancers met on the dance competition show in 2014. At the time, Johnson joined as a troupe member for season 18. Chmerkovskiy had appeared on the show since season 2 and became a pro dancer beginning with season 13 in 2011.
They dated for a few years, beginning in 2015, and got engaged in 2018.
At the time, Chmerkovskiy told People, “My life has changed because of [her]. And I find myself to be the best version of myself that I’ve ever been. She’s awesome.”
They got married in April 2019, with Chmerkovskiy’s brother, Maks Chmerkovskiy, serving as best man. “DWTS” cast members Lindsay Arnold, Witney Carson, Emma Slater, Sasha Farber, Mark Ballas, Cheryl Burke, Alan Bersten, and Artem Chigvintsev attended.
In January 2023, they welcomed their first child, Rome Valentin Chmerkovskiy.
On their anniversary in 2020, Johnson took to Instagram to share, “Finally got to go back to our wedding venue and celebrate our ‘1 Year Wedding Anniversary’ a couple (7) months late 🤗 Standing in the exact spot we said ‘I Do’ gave me butterflies all over again.”
In April 2025, she shared photos from their wedding day, writing, “Celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary yesterday and got absolutely spoiled by my love 🌹 Swipe to see some of my favorite pics from our wedding day 👰🏻🤵🏻♂️.”
Jenna Johnson Shares First Impression of Val Chmerkovskiy
In a June 2025 interview with First For Women, Johnson shared what her first impression was of Chmerkovskiy.
She recalled she had gone through a bad breakup in 2015 that had her at “rock bottom.”
“When your heart is broken and you feel crushed and hit rock bottom, you’re most vulnerable,” Johnson shared. “I had to learn to truly love myself for who I am.”
When the dancer met Chmerkovskiy, she said, “It was love at first sight.”
Johnson shared, “I thought he was hilarious. I’d never had someone be so blunt, and it was so refreshing in the best way.”
