DWTS' Jenna Johnson Reveals Surprising First Impression of Husband Val Chmerkovskiy

DWTS' Jenna Johnson Reveals Surprising First Impression of Husband Val Chmerkovskiy originally appeared on Parade.

Dancing With the Stars pro Jenna Johnson, 31, married fellow pro Val Chmerkovskiy, 39, in April 2019, and they welcomed their son, Rome, in January 2023.

In a new interview with First For Women, Johnson talks about a bad breakup in 2015 that left her at "rock bottom," but then she met her husband — and she reveals the cute and surprising first impression he made.

"When your heart is broken and you feel crushed and hit rock bottom, you're most vulnerable," said Johnson of when she went through her breakup 10 years ago. "I had to learn to truly love myself for who I am."

But then she met Chmerkovskiy and it was "love at first sight."

"I thought he was hilarious," said Johnson, adding, "I'd never had someone be so blunt, and it was so refreshing in the best way."

Johnson also said that their son loves to sleep in their bed, so sometimes her morning "starts with giving kisses to both my boys," which is a great way to start the day!"

The professional dancer also revealed the six words that have completely changed her self-esteem and self-image.

"Growing up as a dancer, you're in front of the mirror 24/7 and staring at every inch of your body. I was always obsessed with the number on the scale," said Johnson.

But she has come to realize that she doesn't need "a certain number on a scale to feel good about [her]self."

"We all have so much to offer — I value that I'm an artist and a mom, and I love to be creative. We all deserve self-worth and we all have inner superpowers," said Johnson, adding that "it took years" for her to "love and believe in [her]self."

Johnson said the book Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It by Kamal Ravikant was life-changing. Now she repeats his mantra to herself several times a day: "I love you. I love myself."

"It also inspires me to ask, 'Do I love myself? Do I appreciate my body?' When I'm going through a low point, I reread that book and check in with myself," said Johnson.

Dancing With the Stars returns for its 34th season in the fall of 2025. If the pattern holds, it will premiere Tuesday, September 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Hulu.

DWTS' Jenna Johnson Reveals Surprising First Impression of Husband Val Chmerkovskiy first appeared on Parade on Jun 7, 2025