Valentin Chmerkovskiy

Valentin Aleksandrovich “Val” Chmerkovskiy is a professional dancer from Ukraine who is most known for his appearances on the American version of Dancing with the Stars, which he won twice. Chmerkovskiy is a 14-time U.S. National Latin Dance champion and two-time World Latin Dance Champion (Junior and Youth). In February 2006, Chmerkovskiy made his first appearance on season 2 of Dancing with the Stars as a student of his brother during Week 6. In May 2007, Chmerkovskiy made another appearance on the season 4 results show. He competed against his brother, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, in a dancing competition. In 2010, he appeared on both the season 10 and 11 results shows.

In season 13, Chmerkovskiy was paired with Elisabetta Canalis, a model and actress. They were ousted in the second round and placed 11th overall. He then became a series regular, competing in every season of the show until the 25th in 2017. His dance partners included comedian and talk show host Sherri Shepherd, the season 1 winner Kelly Monaco, actress and singer Zendaya, film and television actress Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, actress and author Danica McKellar, Pretty Little Liars star Janel Parrish, R&B singer and reality television star Tamar Braxton, meteorologist Ginger Zee, Fifth Harmony’s Normani Kordei, and Paralympic swimmer Victoria Arlen.

Chmerkovskiy first won Dancing with the Stars with actress and singer Rumer Willis in 2015, and again with Olympic artistic gymnast Laurie Hernandez the following year. In 2018, he returned for season 27 of the show after an absence, partnering actress Nancy McKeon, and subsequently resumed his status a series regular. In 2021, Chmerkovskiy partnered influencer Olivia Jade on season 30 of the show.