Valentin Chmerkovskiy, widely known as Val, is a Ukrainian-American professional dancer, choreographer and television personality who is one of the most popular and accomplished performers on the American version of Dancing with the Stars. A champion ballroom and Latin dancer, he rose to fame as a professional on the long-running celebrity dance competition, where he has won the top prize twice and earned recognition for his skill and choreography. The younger brother of fellow professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, he has become a well-known figure in the world of competitive and televised dance.
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Biography, Wiki
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Valentin Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy |
| Date of Birth | 24 March 1986 |
| Age (2026) | 40 years |
| Birthplace | Odessa, Ukraine (then USSR) |
| Nationality | Ukrainian-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Occupations | Dancer, choreographer, television personality |
| Known For | Dancing with the Stars (two-time champion) |
| Spouse | Jenna Johnson (dancer) |
| Brother | Maksim Chmerkovskiy (dancer) |
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Details
| Area | Detail |
| Discipline | Ballroom and Latin dance |
| Early success | A champion competitive dancer |
| Television | A professional on Dancing with the Stars |
| Titles | A two-time Dancing with the Stars champion |
| Choreography | Noted for his choreography and performances |
| Family | Brother of dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy |
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Events
| Year | Event |
| 24 March 1986 | Born in Odessa, Ukraine |
| 1990s | Emigrated with his family to the United States |
| 2000s | Became a champion competitive dancer |
| 2006 | First appeared on Dancing with the Stars |
| 2011 | Became a professional dancer on the show |
| 2015 | Won his first Dancing with the Stars title |
| 2016 | Won his second Dancing with the Stars title |
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Early Life
Valentin Chmerkovskiy was born Valentin Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy on 24 March 1986 in Odessa, in Ukraine, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He was raised in a family with a strong connection to dance, and his older brother, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, also became a renowned professional ballroom dancer. As a child, he emigrated with his family to the United States, settling there, which gave him his Ukrainian-American background. He began dancing at a young age, training in ballroom and Latin styles, and he showed exceptional talent early, embarking on a path that would make him a champion competitive dancer.
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Valentin Chmerkovskiy Dance Career
Valentin Chmerkovskiy’s Competitive Career
Valentin Chmerkovskiy established himself as an outstanding competitive dancer from a young age. Training intensively in ballroom and Latin dance, he achieved significant success on the competitive circuit as a junior and youth dancer, winning national titles and competing at a high level. His skill, technique and performance quality marked him out as one of the most promising young dancers of his generation. This strong foundation in competitive dance prepared him for the career in televised and professional dance that would bring him widespread fame.
Valentin Chmerkovskiy on Dancing with the Stars
Valentin Chmerkovskiy became a household name through his long association with the American television series Dancing with the Stars. He first appeared on the show in its early seasons and was later formally promoted to a professional dancer, going on to become one of its most popular and successful pros. Over many seasons, he was partnered with a range of celebrity contestants, and he won the show’s coveted championship trophy twice, cementing his status as one of the standout professionals in the show’s history. His charisma, his choreography and his performances made him a fan favourite.
Valentin Chmerkovskiy’s Choreography and Other Work
Valentin Chmerkovskiy is admired not only as a performer but also as a talented choreographer, and his work on Dancing with the Stars earned him industry recognition, including an Emmy Award nomination for his choreography. Beyond the show, he has pursued other ventures connected to dance and entertainment, including live tours, dance education and business interests, often in partnership with his brother. He has toured and performed in various stage shows, and he has used his profile to promote dance, establishing himself as a multifaceted figure in the dance and entertainment world.
Valentin Chmerkovskiy’s Style and Reputation
Valentin Chmerkovskiy is known for his technical excellence, his passionate and expressive performance style, and his creative choreography across ballroom and Latin dance. Admired for his ability to connect with his celebrity partners and to craft memorable, emotionally resonant routines, he is regarded as one of the most talented professionals to have appeared on Dancing with the Stars. His combination of competitive pedigree, performance charisma and choreographic skill has made him a respected and popular figure in the world of televised dance.
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Personal Life
Valentin Chmerkovskiy is married to fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson, who is also a professional on Dancing with the Stars, and the couple are well known within the dance community. He is of Ukrainian heritage and is close to his family, including his brother and fellow dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy. He has at times spoken publicly about his heritage and about matters he cares about. He generally shares aspects of his life with his large fan following while keeping a focus on his career. This profile focuses on his dance career and his achievements and treats his personal matters with respect.
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Height and Physical Profile
Valentin Chmerkovskiy’s public identity rests on his dancing and his choreography rather than on specific physical details. As a professional ballroom and Latin dancer, his athleticism, his movement and his performance presence are central to his craft and his appeal as one of the leading professionals in televised dance.
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Net Worth and Earnings
Valentin Chmerkovskiy has built his wealth through his successful career as a professional dancer, including his long tenure on Dancing with the Stars, his choreography, his live tours and performances, his dance-related business ventures, and any endorsements. A precise, reliably verified net-worth figure is not firmly established in the public record, and this profile does not put one forward, as figures that circulate for entertainers are typically unofficial estimates. His earnings derive primarily from his dance and television career.
| Source | Detail |
| Net worth | Not reliably documented (treat estimates with caution) |
| Main income sources | His dance, television and business ventures |
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Social Media
Valentin Chmerkovskiy maintains an active and popular presence on social media, where he shares his performances, his projects and moments from his life, engaging with his large following of fans.
| Platform | Handle | Notes |
| Instagram / TikTok | Under his own name | Dance and personal content |
| Public information | Entertainment media | How news about him is reported |
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Controversies
No single matter defines Valentin Chmerkovskiy’s public profile, which is centred on his acclaimed dance career. In October 2026, he received a one-week suspension from Dancing with the Stars over a social-media post, made in response to a judge’s critique of his wife, that was deemed inappropriate by the show’s producers; the post referenced a well-known incident involving another public figure. He publicly apologised for the post, saying his intention had been to defend his wife and acknowledging that it was a poor decision. The matter was a recent and minor episode in the context of his long career, and the profile notes it factually, briefly and with attribution, without reproducing the post and without taking a side.
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Lesser Known Facts About Valentin Chmerkovskiy
- He was born in Odessa, Ukraine, in 1986.
- He emigrated to the United States as a child.
- His older brother Maksim is also a professional dancer.
- He first appeared on Dancing with the Stars in its early seasons.
- He is a two-time champion of the show.
- He received an Emmy nomination for his choreography.
- He is married to fellow dancer Jenna Johnson.
Valentin Chmerkovskiy FAQ
Who is Valentin Chmerkovskiy?
He is a Ukrainian-American professional dancer, choreographer and television personality, best known as a two-time champion on Dancing with the Stars.
How old is Valentin Chmerkovskiy?
Born on 24 March 1986, he is 40 years old in 2026.
What is Val Chmerkovskiy known for?
He is best known as a longtime, popular professional dancer on the American television series Dancing with the Stars.
Where is Valentin Chmerkovskiy from?
He was born in Odessa, Ukraine, and emigrated to the United States as a child, giving him a Ukrainian-American background.
Who is Val Chmerkovskiy married to?
He is married to fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson.
Is Valentin Chmerkovskiy related to Maksim Chmerkovskiy?
Yes, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, also a professional dancer, is his older brother.
How many times has Val Chmerkovskiy won Dancing with the Stars?
He has won the show’s championship trophy twice.
What style does Valentin Chmerkovskiy dance?
He is a professional ballroom and Latin dancer.
Has Val Chmerkovskiy won awards?
He has won Dancing with the Stars twice and received an Emmy Award nomination for his choreography.
Why is Valentin Chmerkovskiy a popular figure?
His talent, charisma, choreography and long run on Dancing with the Stars have made him one of the show’s most beloved professionals.
Sources
Variety, ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pulls Val Chmerkovskiy After ‘Inappropriate’ Carrie Ann Inaba Slap Joke, https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/dancing-with-the-stars-pulls-val-chmerkovskiy-carrie-ann-inaba-slap-joke-1236915031/
ABC News, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ dancer Val Chmerkovskiy benched after ‘inappropriate’ social media post, https://abcnews.com/GMA/Culture/dancing-stars-dancer-val-chmerkovskiy-benched-after-inappropriate/story?id=137351915
NBC News, Val Chmerkovskiy gets one-week suspension on ‘Dancing with the Stars’, https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/val-chmerkovskiy-gets-one-week-suspension-dancing-stars-rcna604087