DWTS' Jenna Johnson, Val Chmerkovskiy Tease Season 34 Frontrunner
Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy think one contestant from down under will make it up to the top.
Indeed, as the Dancing With the Stars couple prepares for season 34 to premiere on Sept. 16, they believe that Robert Irwin may be this year's favorite contestant.
"There's something about positivity and energy, and his is contagious," Jenna told E! News' Will Marfuggi at Variety's Power of Young Hollywood gala on Aug. 7. "It just is. And they're such a great family. So I'm just excited to watch his journey. He is going to be an incredible personality on our show."
And Robert does have some experience with the dance competition since his older sister Bindi Irwin took home the mirrorball trophy on season 21 in 2015.
Jenna recalled, "We've been such big fans of Robert Irwin since he was little, coming on set to watch Bindi perform." (For more with Jenna and the attendees at Variety's Power of Young Hollywood, tune into E! News, Monday, Aug. 11 at 11 p.m.)
The dancer—who won last season with partner Joey Graziadei—noted, however, that contestants are all "going to be key players this season."
Jenna added, "So, it will be really interesting to see how the audience interacts and responds to them."
Along with Robert, Alix Earle and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt are ready to cha-cha to the dancefloor this fall.
As for when viewers will notice who may become the fan favorite? According to Val, it'll be easy to spot.
"I think it's obvious when there's a frontrunner pre-season, but there's still so many elements," he explained to E! at the Los Angeles event. "I hate to mention it—injury, but also just the chemistry, the vibe, the growth, the partnership."
As he put it, "There's so many things, so many variables that have to blossom."
However, it's anyone's game with the pro—who, along with Phaedra Parks, was eliminated in week five—emphasizing, "You can't possibly predict an entire season based on just the lineup."
Instead, Val teased, "I'm the front runner."
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