Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson are weighing in on their individual futures with Dancing With the Stars after hitting major career milestones.
“Thanks for reminding me, because I didn’t even know,” Johnson, 32, teased of her 10-year anniversary as a pro while speaking with Us during an exclusive visit to the set of RJ Decker, where the DWTS pros were filming a cameo. “I think it’s great to have those milestones and to remember them and see how far you’ve actually come.”
Johnson expressed gratitude for the time she’s spent on DWTS so far.
“I’ve just learned so much from Dancing With the Stars — honestly, from the people I’ve been surrounded with. So from producers to camera directors to our glam team to wardrobe,” she noted. “I feel like they have all raised me since I joined the show when I was 19 years old and they are the best family I could have ever asked for.”
She continued: “But I think I just feel invigorated this season. I’m so looking forward to it. I just feel inspired. I have this fire underneath my belt. … I’m excited. I feel very inspired. I love to choreograph and I love to create. I hope to be able to do that for another 10 years.”
Chmerkovskiy, 40, felt just as confident about his career after marking his debut as a student dancer on DWTS two decades ago.
“I remember that Val. What’s interesting is I’ve obviously changed so much, but my approach and my passion for what I’m doing hasn’t changed at all,” he noted to Us. “I have the same figure for showing up to set what I love and the same gratitude.”
While reflecting on the future, Chmerkovskiy declared he “definitely” has “another 20 years” in him, sharing, “Obviously, the show has enjoyed being a top show for many years. But I feel like we’ve just exploded into the center of culture right now. We are the water cooler conversation amongst kids and adults.”
The couple — who have been married since 2019 — gushed about getting to be part of this “very special time” for DWTS, which kicks off its 35th season this month.
“The last two seasons have really put our show on the map and they’ve kind of exceeded all of our expectations of what else we can do,” Johnson said before Chmerkovskiy quipped, “It’s a very special gift for us to be a part of it. We are, like, a cool show.”
As for what could be in the cards for the next chapter of DWTS, the possibilities seemed endless.
“I would love to see an episode at The Hollywood Bowl. I feel like we’re at that point,” Johnson suggested. “This is an opportunity that we never thought was possible. And this year, we’ve collaborated with Project Runway. There’s a spinoff with The Next Pro show. We performed at the Disney Upfronts. There have just been so many beautiful opportunities. It’s an honor to represent the brand and I will do it with my whole heart. I absolutely love this show and I’m so grateful to have these opportunities.”
Chmerkovskiy shared a similar sentiment. “They’re proud of us. Now we’re cool with the cool kids. And so it’s really an unusual time for us being recognized and being celebrated on the level that we’ve been celebrated. I’m just soaking it all in,” he added. “Any way we can be a part of the network, we are so, so happy and grateful to do that.”
The pair’s collaboration with ABC continues when the network’s hit series RJ Decker pulls off a DWTS crossover in the season 2 premiere.
In Us‘ exclusive sneak peek, RJ (Scott Speedman) has his fair share of new cases while the pro dancers were seen showing off their skills. (Johnson’s former celebrity partner Joey Graziadei — with whom she won season 33 — also appears in a scripted role in the same episode.)
“We actually had limited time [to perfect our performance] because we were also rehearsing with Dancing With the Stars. But when this was presented to us, it was an immediate yes,” Johnson said. “It’s so outside of our comfort zone or what we are used to doing that we just knew that we wanted to do this artistically.”
She continued: “But also I’m just such a big fan of shows like this. I love PI shows. I love investigation shows. Even seeing the lead actor, Scott Speedman, do the scene with Joey has been so fun. I’m so proud of Joey for committing to acting.”
When it comes to future DWTS contestants, both Chmerkovskiy and Johnson threw their support behind Speedman and his RJ Decker costars. (Speedman plays the titular role, with Jaina Lee Ortiz, Kevin Rankin, Adelaide Clemens and Bevin Bru rounding out the rest of the cast.)
“If Scott wants to do Dancing With the Stars, please. We will have him gladly,” Johnson told Us as Chmerkovskiy added, “I see him jumping over the barrier to the camera. So he’s got the range of motion. I think he’ll be a great dancer and he definitely has got the charisma.”
Dancing With the Stars premieres with a two-night event on ABC and Disney+ starting Tuesday, September 15, at 8 p.m. ET. RJ Decker returns Tuesday, September 15, at 10 p.m. ET.
