Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Hint at Exciting DWTS Surprises Ahead
Dancing With the Stars is kicking off season 35 with an exciting two-night premiere, and pros Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy are eager for even more surprises in the future.
“The past two seasons have truly made our show stand out, exceeding all our expectations for what more we can achieve,” Johnson, 32, shared with Us during an exclusive stop at the set of RJ Decker, where she and Chmerkovskiy, 40, were making a cameo appearance.
Johnson shared some of her dream concepts, saying, “I would love to see an episode at the Hollywood Bowl. I know it comes with a lot of technical challenges, but I believe we’ve reached that level. It’s time for an episode at the Hollywood Bowl.”
She added: “This is an opportunity we never imagined possible. This year, we participated in Project Runway. There’s a DWTS spinoff called The Next Pro. We even performed at the Disney Upfronts. So many wonderful opportunities have come our way.”
Chmerkovskiy expressed his happiness about how “proud” ABC is of the show. Johnson echoed her husband’s sentiments and conveyed her excitement for future possibilities.
“It’s a privilege to represent the brand, and I’ll do it wholeheartedly,” she enthused. “I genuinely love this show and I’m immensely thankful for these opportunities.”
Season 35 marks Johnson’s milestone 10th year as a pro. Reflecting on her journey with Us, she credited the DWTS team for making the ballroom feel like home.
“It’s important to recognize milestones and see how far you’ve come,” she remarked. “I’ve learned so much from Dancing With the Stars—truly from everyone I’ve been surrounded with, including producers, camera directors, the glam team, and wardrobe.”
Johnson emphasized how much DWTS has transformed her life, stating, “I feel like they have all nurtured me since I joined the show at 19, and they are the best family I could have ever hoped for.”
She continued: “I feel more energized this season. I’m really looking forward to it and feel inspired. I have this fire beneath me. … I’m thrilled. I feel incredibly inspired. I love to choreograph and create. I hope to continue doing this for another decade.”
Chmerkovskiy, who has been with DWTS since season 2, shares his wife’s enthusiasm.
“It’s fascinating how much I’ve evolved, yet my passion and approach haven’t wavered at all. I come to set with the same passion and gratitude,” he shared with Us, hinting he definitely has “at least another 20 years” ahead. “The show has been a top program for years, but I feel like right now, we’re at the center of culture. We are the topic of conversation for both kids and adults.”
Even while juggling their commitments on DWTS, Johnson and Chmerkovskiy managed to make time for a trip to Florida to shoot a dance sequence for ABC’s RJ Decker.
“We had limited time [to refine our performance] because we were also rehearsing for Dancing With the Stars. But when this opportunity came about, it was an instant yes,” Johnson remarked. “It’s a departure from what we usually do, making it an exciting artistic challenge for us.”
Johnson was thrilled to be included in the show, which also featured her season 33 partner, Joey Graziadei.
“Also, I’ve always been a huge fan of shows like this. I love police investigation dramas,” she concluded. “Watching the lead actor, Scott Speedman, perform a scene with Joey has been such a joy. I’m so proud of Joey for fully committing to acting.”
Dancing With the Stars launches with a two-night event on ABC and Disney+ starting Tuesday, September 15, at 8 p.m. ET. RJ Decker returns Tuesday, September 15, at 10 p.m. ET.
