Val Chmerkovskiy Shuts Down Retirement Rumors After Victorious Season 32 on DWTS
Dancing With the Stars' Val Chmerkovskiy shuts down retirement rumors after triumphant season 32 win alongside partner Xochitl Gomez The pro dancer is ready to continue his journey on the show, leaving fans excited for more of his mesmerizing performances
Val Chmerkovskiy is putting an end to speculation about his possible retirement from Dancing With the Stars.
On Saturday, December 9, Chmerkovskiy, 37, and his wife Jenna Johnson took questions from fans on social media. In response to one inquiry, the current mirrorball champion addressed whether he would come back for DWTS season 33.
In an Instagram Story clip, Johnson, 29, mentioned that many people have asked her husband, Val, if he plans to retire this season. Sitting alongside her husband, she wondered if people know something they don't. Val then replied that he doesn't know and clarified that he is not retiring. He expressed his willingness to return if the show brings him back, stating, "I'll be there."
Johnson pondered that the rumors about retirement were probably sparked by her emotional response to his last performances with partner Xochitl Gomez.
"It's possible that the video of me crying after Val and Xochitl's foxtrot in the finale was misinterpreted. I think some people may have assumed that I was upset about it being his last dance, but we both would be thrilled to return for the next season of Dancing With the Stars," Johnson commented.
Val Chmerkovskiy Courtesy of Jenna Johnson/Instagram
Chmerkovskiy and Johnson were pro dancers on season 32 of DWTS. Chmerkovskiy was paired with 17-year-old Marvel star Gomez, while Johnson danced with model Tyson Beckford. Unfortunately, Johnson and Beckford were eliminated during Motown Night in week 3, while Chmerkovskiy and Gomez made it to the finale on Tuesday, December 6, and ultimately won. This victory was Chmerkovskiy's third mirrorball win, following his previous wins with Rumer Willis and Laurie Hernandez.
“It feels amazing. This victory feels unique. It’s been seven years since I was able to be fortunate enough to win, and to win it with this young lady,” Chmerkovskiy exclusively told We on Tuesday of his triumph. “She carried us throughout the whole season. She made me appear exceptional as a mentor [and] as a partner.”
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Val Chmerkovskiy, Xochitl Gomez and Jenna Johnson. Disney/Eric McCandless
In her own interview with Us, Gomez echoed the choreographer's praise, saying, "That goes both ways. You can’t really know how to really do any of this unless you have someone who really understands you. So you really understood me and you did all the dances that had my personality in it. And I think that’s what’s important."
Chmerkovskiy and Gomez were honored as the first recipients of the newly renamed Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in memory of the late DWTS head judge. Goodman passed away in April at 78, just months after retiring.
