Dancing With the Stars pro Jenna Johnson is opening up about being away from her and Val Chmerkovskiy’s son during season 35 of the hit reality competition show.
“My patient boy,” Johnson, 32, wrote via Instagram on Monday, October 5. “The early mornings, long hours, and time away from each other rip at my heart strings.”
Johnson uploaded a video of son Rome, 3, sitting in her lap as she got ready in her closet for the day. As Johnson applied blush to her cheeks, Rome turned to face the camera and gave a yawn.
“Nothing I love more than these sleepy cuddles with you!” she wrote. “Thank you for loving me unconditionally and holding me together through the noise and chaos of it all ♥️.”
Days before Johnson’s message, she and Chmerkovskiy, 40, shared that they were in the hospital after Rome needed medical attention. Chmerkovskiy uploaded an Instagram photo of Johnson holding Rome in a hospital bed at the time, writing, “Sunday Funday as a parent.” Johnson also shared a photo of Rome in the hospital with an oxygen mask on his face.
Johnson and Chmerkovskiy welcomed their son in 2023, one year after the couple tied the knot. The pair have since been competing on DWTS, where Johnson has most recently been partnered with Grey’s Anatomy’s Harry Shum Jr. and Chmerkovskiy with Step Up actress Jenna Dewan. Ahead of the season 35 premiere in September, Johnson got candid about balancing motherhood with her professional commitments.
“Been working some really long hours this week leading up to our exciting two night premiere and my mama heart has been a little heartbroken having to be away from my sweet boy,” she wrote via Instagram at the time, sharing photos of her holding Rome inside the iconic DWTS set. “Grateful he was able to come to set yesterday and see all the magic happening! I think I needed it more than he did.”
“Working mamas, I see you! We got this ❤️🔥 and to my mamas on set @daniellakaragach @witneycarson @sharnaburgess … grateful for your beautiful examples!” she continued, referencing her fellow DWTS pro moms. “Love being able to navigate this together ✨.”
In the comments section of the post, Johnson received support from both her and Chmerkovskiy’s season 35 partners. “❤️❤️❤️😍😍😍,” Dewan, 45, wrote, while Shum Jr., 44, added, “What it’s all about ❤️😍❤️.”
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
