In a rare and heartfelt moment of vulnerability, Dancing With the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy opened up about the one thing that kept his relationship with wife Jenna Johnson grounded — even when life threatened to pull them apart.
“We were so busy, always in different places, chasing deadlines, rehearsals, responsibilities,” Val shared. “But no matter what — we always had those 20 minutes.”
Holding Onto Love in the Midst of Madness
Val admits that between the whirlwind of DWTS, traveling, family planning, and individual projects, there were days where everything felt like a blur. But those short daily phone calls? They were sacred.
“Some days, that was all we had — twenty minutes on FaceTime before bed or in between rehearsals. But it was the best part of my day. Every time.”
He says it wasn’t about grand gestures or sweeping romance. It was about consistency, presence, and holding space for one another — even when apart.
“That call reminded me of who I was doing all this for. Who I loved. Who I missed.”
“She Was My Calm in the Storm”
Val went on to say that during especially stressful weeks — when tempers flared and exhaustion crept in — those small moments of connection often pulled them back from the edge.
“Jenna’s voice… her laugh. Even when we were fighting, even when things were tense, hearing her centered me. She’s my compass.”
A Marriage Built in the Quiet Spaces
Now, as the couple navigates new chapters — from parenting to planning for more kids — Val says those daily chats remain a ritual.
“It doesn’t always have to be hours of conversation. Sometimes love is in the twenty minutes you carve out when life is loud.”
And for fans who wonder how they keep their bond strong in the spotlight, Val’s answer is simple:
“Talk. Every day. Even when you’re mad. Even when you’re tired. Because it’s not the time you have, it’s the time you choose. And I’ll always choose her.”
