“Watching Him With Rome Melts Me”: Jenna Johnson Reveals the Side of Val She Never Knew She Needed

For Dancing With the Stars pros Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy, love has always been about passion, performance, and partnership. But now, with baby Rome in their lives, Jenna says she's witnessing a side of Val she never could’ve imagined — and it’s changing everything.

“I knew he’d be a great dad,” Jenna shared. “But I didn’t know he’d be this soft, this gentle, this completely undone by our son. It melts me. Every single day.”

From Husband to Father — A Transformation

Jenna says the shift in Val was instant. The moment Rome arrived, Val’s energy transformed — from protective husband to utterly devoted dad.

“The way he holds Rome, the way he whispers to him in the morning, the way he’s up in the middle of the night singing lullabies — it’s a side of him I’d never seen before,” she said, eyes filling with tears. “He’s always been intense, focused, passionate… but this is different. This is unconditional.”

“He Makes Me Fall In Love With Him All Over Again”

Jenna admits that parenthood has brought new challenges — sleepless nights, self-doubt, and moments of complete emotional exhaustion. But Val’s presence has been her anchor.

“There are nights I’m falling apart, and I look over and he’s got Rome asleep on his chest, humming some old Ukrainian melody, and suddenly… I feel okay again,” she said. “He makes me feel safe. He makes our home feel sacred.”

“Rome Changed Our Rhythm — And I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way”

Their once perfectly choreographed lives are now a whirlwind of diapers, bottle warmings, and baby giggles — and Jenna says it’s the most beautiful dance they’ve ever done.

“It’s not about routines or spotlights anymore. It’s about family. About growing something real,” she shared. “Val steps up in ways I never asked for — he just does it. And watching him love our son? That’s the kind of romance I never dreamed of, but always needed.”

Jenna says they still plan to dance — on stages, on screens, and in their living room. But now, there’s always a little boy clapping in the corner.

“I used to love Val because he was my partner. Now I love him because he’s Rome’s hero,” she said softly. “And that love… it’s deeper than anything I’ve ever known.”