"Dancing with the Stars” pro Val Chmerkovskiy is opening up about how he stayed connected with his wife, fellow DWTS pro Jenna Johnson, during the filming of Hulu’s new reality competition series “Got to Get Out”. While competing on the show, Chmerkovskiy only had limited access to communication — just 20 minutes a day — which he used to speak with Johnson.
“It affected me vastly,” Chmerkovskiy, 39, told Us Weekly in an exclusive interview. “We had access to the phone for 20 minutes a day for just emergency purposes. It only took 10 days to film but it felt like a year. It was hard. But that 20 minutes was great. I got to really vent.”
The show, which premiered on April 11, features contestants living together in a mansion and participating in intense physical and mental challenges for a $1 million prize Hulu. Chmerkovskiy explained how the experience differed greatly from his time on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Val Opens Up About Adjusting to a Different Reality
For the seasoned ballroom pro, adapting to the unscripted nature of “Got to Get Out” was a challenge in itself. Known for connecting with his dance partners on DWTS, Chmerkovskiy admitted that he struggled with the show’s more strategic and competitive elements.
“Why I’m successful on Dancing With the Stars is [because] I authentically connect with my partners,” he said. “But for the first time, I wasn’t trying to build a genuine rapport and that was really hard for me. I found myself really struggling with lying. I just didn’t want to compromise who I am as a person for money.”
Despite those hurdles, he eventually became immersed in the game, focusing on the experience without sacrificing his integrity.
How Val and Jenna Stay Connected Through Time Apart
The 10-day filming period wasn’t the first time Chmerkovskiy and Johnson had to spend time apart. Earlier this year, Johnson hit the road for the “Dancing with the Stars” live tour while Chmerkovskiy stayed home with their 2-year-old son, Rome.
Throughout their time apart, the couple has continued to publicly show support for one another. After Johnson won the mirrorball trophy on season 33 with celebrity partner Joey Graziadei, Chmerkovskiy took to Instagram to share a celebratory post, writing, “Champions!!! Speechless, proud, grateful…. Jenna & Joey” Instagram. Johnson replied in the comments, “My love!!!!! Thank you for being my everything throughout this process…Forever grateful for YOU.”
The couple also celebrated their six-year wedding anniversary on April 13. Chmerkovskiy marked the occasion with a heartfelt Instagram post: “To the life we’ve built, the life we literally made, and all the life I want to continue to cherish alongside of you.” Johnson responded, “Wasn’t prepared to sob on this flight rn. To infinity and beyond with you.”
The duo, who married in 2019, have continued to support each other throughout their busy schedules and time apart.
