Jenna Johnson has lit up the Dancing with the Stars ballroom for over a decade, earning two Mirrorball trophies and a reputation as one of the show’s most creative choreographers. This profile brings together key facts about her life and career — from growing up in Utah to marrying fellow pro Val Chmerkovskiy and starting a family — backed by published sources.
Nationality: American ·
Age: 30 (born April 12, 1994) ·
Children: 1 (son Romeo) ·
Mirrorball Championships: 2 ·
Spouse: Val Chmerkovskiy (married 2019) ·
Instagram Followers: 1.5M
Quick snapshot
- American professional Latin and ballroom dancer (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Two Mirrorball championships (Apple TV (streaming platform))
- Married to Val Chmerkovskiy since April 2019 (TV Insider (TV guide))
- One son Romeo, born January 2023 (People (celebrity news))
- Exact net worth — no verified figure publicly available (USA Today (national newspaper))
- Whether she is actually the highest-paid DWTS pro; reports vary (USA Today (national newspaper))
- Specific weight loss details — Johnson has not made a public statement (USA Today (national newspaper))
- Whether she was born in California or raised in Utah — sources disagree on birthplace details (USA Today (national newspaper))
- 1994: Born in Provo, Utah (TV Insider (TV guide))
- 2013: Top-8 finalist on So You Think You Can Dance season 10 (Parade (entertainment magazine))
- 2016: Promoted to DWTS pro; first Mirrorball win with Nyle DiMarco (Apple TV (streaming platform))
- 2019: Marriage to Val Chmerkovskiy (IMDb (movie database))
- 2023: Son Romeo born (People (celebrity news))
- Continues as a DWTS pro for future seasons (Philadelphia Gay News (LGBTQ+ outlet))
- Choreography projects and creative direction (Philadelphia Gay News (LGBTQ+ outlet))
- Growing family – no official announcements but fans watch closely (Philadelphia Gay News (LGBTQ+ outlet))
Ten key facts about Jenna Johnson, drawn from verified sources, show the arc of her career and personal life.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jenna Michelle Johnson Chmerkovskiy |
| Birth Date | April 12, 1994 |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Val Chmerkovskiy (m. 2019) |
| Children | 1 (son Romeo) |
| Occupation | Professional Latin and ballroom dancer, choreographer |
| DWTS Debut | Season 19 (2015) as a pro |
| Mirrorball Wins | 2 (Season 22 with Nyle DiMarco, Season 26 with Adam Rippon) |
| Instagram Handle | @jennajohnson |
| Followers | 1.5M |
What nationality is Jenna Johnson?
Jenna Johnson is American. She was born on April 12, 1994, in Provo, Utah, according to TV Insider (TV guide and news). Her full legal name is Jenna Michelle Johnson Chmerkovskiy, as recorded by Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia).
How old is Jenna Johnson?
- Born April 12, 1994 — age 30 as of 2024 (Biography.com (biography resource))
- Grew up in American Fork, Utah, and attended American Fork High School (Famous Birthdays (celebrity fact site))
What is Jenna Johnson’s background?
- Began dancing at age 3 (Famous Birthdays (celebrity fact site))
- Competed on season 10 of So You Think You Can Dance, finishing as a top‑8 finalist (Apple TV (streaming platform biography))
- Represented the U.S. at the World Latin Dance Champions in 2012 (Philadelphia Gay News (LGBTQ+ news outlet))
- Five-time U.S. National Latin Champion
The implication: Johnson’s competitive foundation in Latin dance gave her the technical edge that later translated into DWTS success.
How many children does Jenna Johnson have?
Jenna Johnson has one child, a son named Romeo, born in January 2023. People (celebrity news magazine) confirmed the birth, noting the baby’s name and that both parents were “overjoyed.”
Who is Jenna Johnson’s husband?
- Val Chmerkovskiy, fellow DWTS professional dancer and choreographer
- They married on April 13, 2019, in a California ceremony (IMDb (movie database))
When did Jenna Johnson get married?
- Engaged in June 2018 (Parade (entertainment magazine))
- Married April 13, 2019 (IMDb (movie database))
The pattern: the couple balanced a public dance career with a private wedding, and later welcomed their first child after three years of marriage.
What is the age difference between Jenna and Val?
Jenna Johnson is eight years younger than Val Chmerkovskiy. Val was born in 1986, Jenna in 1994, according to Britannica (reference publisher).
How did Jenna and Val meet?
- They met on the set of Dancing with the Stars (Parade (entertainment magazine))
- They were dance partners before dating
When did Jenna and Val start dating?
- Reports indicate they began dating in 2015, but they kept the relationship private for the first year
- They got engaged in June 2018 (Parade (entertainment magazine))
The catch: even with a significant age gap, the couple has maintained a stable partnership both on and off the dance floor.
Age differences in high-profile relationships often attract speculation, but Johnson and Chmerkovskiy have shown that shared professional passion can bridge the gap.
How many times has Jenna won on DWTS?
Jenna Johnson has won the Mirrorball trophy twice. Apple TV lists her wins in season 22 (2016) with deaf actor Nyle DiMarco and season 26 (2018) with Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon.
Which seasons did Jenna win on DWTS?
- Season 22 (Spring 2016) with Nyle DiMarco
- Season 26 (Spring 2018) with Adam Rippon
Who were Jenna’s winning partners?
- Nyle DiMarco – deaf model and actor; their win was historic as the first Deaf contestant to take the Mirrorball (Britannica (reference publisher))
- Adam Rippon – Olympic bronze medalist figure skater; their season was an all-athletes edition (Britannica (reference publisher))
The trade-off: Johnson’s wins came from non-traditional partners, proving her choreographic adaptability rather than relying on a “ringer.”
Who is the highest paid pro on DWTS?
Reports consistently name Val Chmerkovskiy as the highest-paid professional on Dancing with the Stars, with an estimated annual salary around $350,000, according to USA Today (national newspaper). However, exact figures are not publicly disclosed.
Who is considered the best pro dancer on DWTS?
- The “best” title is subjective, but Jenna Johnson is frequently praised for her technique and choreography (Philadelphia Gay News (LGBTQ+ news outlet))
- Other top contenders include Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, and Mark Ballas
Why did Julianne Hough stop being a pro on DWTS?
- Julianne Hough left as a pro after season 19 to focus on acting and music, though she later returned as a judge (IMDb (movie database))
- She stated in interviews that she wanted to explore other creative avenues (Biography.com (biography resource))
What this means: the DWTS pro roster has shifted over the years, but Johnson has remained a steady presence, outlasting many of her peers.
While Val Chmerkovskiy may earn the highest salary, Jenna Johnson’s two Mirrorball wins place her among the most decorated pros — a reminder that pay and titles don’t always align.
“Jenna Johnson is an American professional Latin and ballroom dancer and choreographer.”
“Johnson was one of the first DWTS professionals involved in a gender-breaking same-sex partnership with JoJo Siwa.”
— Philadelphia Gay News (LGBTQ+ news outlet)
“She made her TV debut in 2013 and finished in fourth place for the women on So You Think You Can Dance season 10.”
— Parade (entertainment magazine)
“Get to know Jenna Johnson from Dancing with the Stars.”
For fans of DWTS, Jenna Johnson’s journey shows that talent and hard work can lead to multiple championships — but also that balancing family and fame requires careful choices. Jenna Johnson’s rise from Utah dance studios to national television proves that sustained relevance in competitive entertainment demands both skill and strategic life decisions.
Related reading: Kaley Cuoco
en.wikipedia.org, dancingwiththestars.fandom.com, elitedaily.com, womansworld.com, es.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
What is Jenna Johnson’s full legal name?
Jenna Michelle Johnson Chmerkovskiy (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
When did Jenna Johnson start dancing?
She began dancing at age 3 (Famous Birthdays (celebrity fact site))
Is Jenna Johnson still a pro on Dancing with the Stars?
Yes, she continues to appear as a professional dancer on the show as of the 2024 season (Apple TV (streaming platform))
What is Jenna Johnson’s Instagram handle?
@jennajohnson (Instagram (social platform))
How tall is Jenna Johnson?
She is approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
What dance styles does Jenna Johnson specialize in?
Latin and ballroom, with emphasis on Latin dance (Britannica (reference publisher))
Where did Jenna Johnson go to college?
She attended Brigham Young University for one semester before pursuing dance full-time (Biography.com (biography resource))
Does Jenna Johnson have any siblings?
Yes, she has a younger sister named Hailey Johnson, who is also a dancer (Famous Birthdays (celebrity fact site))
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Daniel Campbell is Editor-in-Chief at True North Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.