Valentin Chmerkovskiy

Early life and career

Chmerkovskiy was born in the Ukrainian city of Odessa, in what was then the Soviet Union. His parents are Aleksandr "Sasha" Chmerkovskiy and Larisa Chmerkovskaya. His older brother, Maksim Chmerkovskiy (born 1980), is also a professional dancer who appears on Dancing with the Stars. His father is Jewish and his mother is Christian.

The family moved to the United States in 1994. In 1996, Maksim and Sasha opened a youth-oriented dance studio in New Jersey, and Valentin was one of the students. In 2001, Valentin and partner Diana Olonetskaya, 15, became the first American dance team to win a world junior championship title.

Chmerkovskiy is a co-owner of nine social dance studios under the brand "Dance With Me". Six are in the New York metropolitan area (Glen Rock and Fort Lee in New Jersey, Glen Cove, Long Island, SoHo, Manhattan, Midtown, Manhattan and Stamford, Connecticut). The three other studios are located in Southlake, Texas, The Woodlands, Texas, and Summerlin, Nevada. Previously one was in Sherman Oaks, California, but has since changed ownership.

Dancing with the Stars

Chmerkovskiy first appeared on season 2, February 10, 2006, as a student of his brother during Week 6. The students were: Valentin & Valeriya Kozharinova, Sergei Onik & Michelle Glazarov and Boris Leokumovich & Nicole Volynets. The couples performed two numbers.

Chmerkovskiy then appeared once again on season 4 results show on May 8, 2007. He starred in a dance off against his brother, Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

Chmerkovskiy appeared on the season 10 results show on April 6, 2010. He did a country western themed routine with his brother Maksim, Edyta Śliwińska and Snejana Petrova.

He appeared on the season 11 results show on October 5, 2010, performing a music and dance duel against Mark Ballas. While performing to the song "Toxic" by Britney Spears, Val played the violin and danced with Lacey Schwimmer.

In season 13, Chmerkovskiy was partnered with model and actress Elisabetta Canalis. They were eliminated second, finishing in 11th place.

In season 14, Chmerkovskiy was partnered with comedian and talk show host Sherri Shepherd. On Rock Week (Week 4) of Dancing with the Stars, they were the third couple to be eliminated, finishing in 10th place.

Chmerkovskiy danced as a professional partner in season 15 with season 1 winner, Kelly Monaco. They finished in third place on the season finale.

For season 16, Chmerkovskiy was partnered with Disney Channel's Shake It Up star, Zendaya. On May 21, Zendaya and Val came in second place behind Derek Hough and Kellie Pickler.

For season 17, he paired with film and television actress Elizabeth Berkley Lauren. Despite receiving high scores, they were eliminated on week 9, finishing in sixth place.

For season 18, he paired with actress and author Danica McKellar. They were eliminated on Week 8 and ended in sixth place.

For season 19, he was paired with Pretty Little Liars actress Janel Parrish. They made it to the finals and finished in third place.

For season 20, he was paired with actress and singer Rumer Willis. On May 19, 2015, Willis and Chmerkovskiy were crowned the winners marking Chmerkovskiy's first win.

For season 21, he was partnered with R&B singer and reality television star, Tamar Braxton. On November 11, 2015, Braxton revealed that she had to withdraw from the competition due to health issues.

For season 22, he was partnered with meteorologist Ginger Zee. The couple made it to the finals but ultimately ended in third place.

For season 23, he was partnered with Olympic artistic gymnast Laurie Hernandez. On November 22, Hernandez and Chmerkovskiy won the title, giving Chmerkovskiy his 2nd mirrorball.

For season 24, he was partnered with Fifth Harmony singer Normani Kordei. They made it to the finals and finished in third place.

For season 25, he is partnered with former Paralympic swimmer Victoria Arlen.

With celebrity partner Elizabeth Berkley Lauren (Average: 26.5)

With celebrity partner Danica McKellar (Average: 26.3)

¹Additional score of Week 3 was given by Robin Roberts

²For this week only, as part of the "Partner Switch-Up", Danica McKellar did not perform with Chmerkovskiy and instead performed with Maksim Chmerkovskiy; Chmerkovskiy performed Argentine Tango with Meryl Davis and received scores of 10/9/10/10

³Additional score of Week 4 was given by Julianne Hough

⁴Additional score of Week 5 was given by Donny Osmond

⁵Additional score of Week 6 was given by Redfoo

⁶Additional score of Week 7 was given by Ricky Martin

⁷Additional score of Week 8 was given by Abby Lee Miller

With celebrity partner Janel Parrish (Average: 36.5 )

¹ Score given by guest judge Kevin Hart in place of Goodman.

²The American public scored the dance in place of Goodman with the averaged score being counted alongside the three other judges.

³This week only, for "Partner Switch-Up" week, Parrish performed with Artem Chigvintsev instead of Chmerkovskiy. Chmerkovskiy performed with Lea Thompson.

⁴ Score given by guest judge Jessie J in place of Goodman.

⁵Score given by guest judge Pitbull in place of Goodman.

With celebrity partner Tamar Braxton (Average: 25.4)

¹Score given by guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro

²This week only, for "Partner Switch-Up" week, Braxton performed with Louis van Amstel instead of Chmerkovskiy. Chmerkovskiy performed with Bindi Irwin.

³Score given by guest judge Maksim Chmerkovskiy

⁴Score given by guest judge Olivia Newton-John.

⁵Braxton and Chmerkovskiy's scores for this dance were based on dress rehearsal footage, due to Braxton being in the emergency room and not arriving at the show in time to perform it.

With celebrity partner Ginger Zee (Average: 26.3)

¹ Score given by guest judge Zendaya.
² For this week only, as part of "America's Switch Up", Zee performed with Mark Ballas instead of Chmerkovskiy. Chmerkovskiy performed with Jodie Sweetin.
³ Score given by guest judge Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
³ Due to Goodman being the judge coaching Zee's team during the team-up dance, the viewers scored the dance in his place with the averaged score being counted alongside the remaining judges.

With celebrity partner Laurie Hernandez (Average: 36.9)

¹Score given by guest judge Pitbull
²Score given by guest judge Idina Menzel

With celebrity partner Normani Kordei (Average: 36.8)

¹ Score given by guest judge Nick Carter
² Score given by guest judge Mandy Moore

Personal life

In 2016, Chmerkovskiy posted a meme of a girl drinking soda, which had previously gone viral in 2014, with the caption "Letting your kid become obese should be considered child abuse." The family of the girl in the picture, who has Down syndrome, then sued Chmerkovskiy seeking $6 million for defamation, emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. Chmerkovskiy deleted the post.