Val Chmerkovskiy Expressed Interest in Male Partner

The long-time professional dancer seeks a same-sex partnership to evolve his creative approach on the program.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Ice Skating

Val Chmerkovskiy Expressed Interest in Male Partner

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Val Chmerkovskiy has announced his desire to be paired with a male partner in a future season of Dancing With the Stars. The veteran dancer aims to challenge his creative boundaries and reinvent his performances within the competition.

Why it matters

The move reflects a growing shift toward inclusivity and artistic experimentation on the long-running dance competition show. By seeking a same-sex pairing, Chmerkovskiy intends to push his performance style in new directions.

Val Chmerkovskiy has participated in 22 seasons of the show, winning season 20 with Rumer Willis and season 23 with Laurie Hernandez. Total career longevity remains a benchmark as he considers new creative formats for upcoming seasons.

The players

Val Chmerkovskiy

A professional dancer and long-time cast member who has participated in 22 seasons of Dancing With the Stars.

Jenna Johnson

A professional dancer on the series who previously partnered with JoJo Siwa during season 30.

Hailey Bills

A professional dancer who competed in season 35 alongside Sarah Jane Nader.

The details

Chmerkovskiy believes a same-sex partnership is on the horizon for his tenure on the show as he looks to innovate his ballroom routines. The program has previously featured same-sex pairings, including Jenna Johnson with JoJo Siwa in season 30 and Hailey Bills with Sarah Jane Nader in season 35.

Season 20 saw Val Chmerkovskiy win the competition with Rumer Willis.
Season 23 marked another win for Val Chmerkovskiy alongside Laurie Hernandez.
Season 30 featured the partnership between Jenna Johnson and JoJo Siwa.
Season 35 included the pairing of Hailey Bills and Sarah Jane Nader.

Season Trajectory

Val Chmerkovskiy's interest in a same-sex pairing signals a shift in the show's competitive landscape toward greater creative flexibility. This evolution follows the precedent set by the season 30 partnership between Jenna Johnson and JoJo Siwa.

Viewers can anticipate potential changes to future season casting dynamics and performance categories on the program. These shifts may influence how professional dancers approach creative storytelling and technical choreography in subsequent seasons.

The takeaway

Chmerkovskiy is prioritizing personal creative growth by looking beyond traditional dance pairings on the show. This approach highlights a broader trend of veteran performers seeking to reinvent their craft to remain relevant in long-running competitions.