Val Chmerkovskiy has very high expectations when it comes to potential celebrity contestants on season 34 of Dancing With the Stars after the show “went viral” on social media.
“When I think of a partner, I just want somebody that — after being on the show for 20 seasons now — I just want somebody that’s excited to be there,” Chmerkovskiy, 39, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting his new Hulu show Got to Get Out. “I’ve seen a lot of really incredible people and I’ve worked with a lot of really talented dynamic people. But it is from that excitement that I’m really inspired and now you have me really going the distance for you.”
Chmerkovskiy noted that being an ideal dance partner isn’t about having the skills — it is about having the passion.
“If you’re an incredible dancer and you’re excited then that is even better. If you’re not a dancer but you’re really excited, that is great,” he continued. “I’m never prepared [to name my dream partner]. I always go like Beyoncé or Adele or Rihanna — some crazy names. But, after last season, who knows?”
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The professional dancer wouldn’t be surprised if some major A-listers joined next season, adding, “I feel like season 33 really went viral. There were so many highlights. Dancing With the Stars was huge and it is growing in popularity, which is crazy to say after 20 years of being on air. But with its reestablished popularity, I think we’re going to get a lot of really big names and I’m excited for that.”
Chmerkovskiy was a consistent presence on DWTS over the years but it wasn’t until season 11 that he joined as a pro. Since then, Chmerkovskiy has been paired up with celebrities such as Zendaya, Rumer Willis, Laurie Hernandez, Normani, Olivia Jade, Gabby Windey, Xochitl Gomez and Phaedra Parks.
After three wins, Chmerkovskiy has learned that “nothing is set in stone” when it comes to potential victors.
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“Dancing With the Stars is a living and breathing project. So even pre-season there are potential favorites but as the season gets going, that premiere sets a certain tone with so many different variables along the way,” he explained before referencing the most recent winners: his wife Jenna Johnson and Joey Graziadei. “There were things that shifted last minute that some may analyze as like, ‘Oh man, well, there goes our chance.’ Even the fact that Jenn [Tran] joined the show last minute — that took some of the steam out of the whole Bachelor Nation supporting one person. Now that vote is split. So these little variables potentially can change the game and change your odds.”
Viewers won’t be surprised to learn that Chmerkovskiy took that winning attitude with him when filming Got to Get Out. The newest reality show, which is currently streaming, follows a mix of reality TV contestants and non-celebrities living together in a mansion for 10 days while they compete in physical and mental challenges for $1 million in prize money.
“I quickly realized that I am a rookie when it comes to reality TV shows,” Chmerkovskiy, who walked away as one of 16 winners, admitted about his initial days on the show. “I never have to form alliances on Dancing With the Stars. I don’t have to have crazy confrontations at the dinner table. I had experience with confrontation but not like this show. I was in over my head for the first three days. I was under the impression that I was going to get out quickly — whether I was going to get out and take the money or I was going to attempt an escape and get eliminated again.”
It didn’t take long for Chmerkovskiy to adapt, adding, “Why I’m successful on Dancing With the Stars is [because] I authentically connect with my partners. But for the first time, I wasn’t trying to build a genuine rapport and that was really hard for me. I found myself really struggling with lying. I just didn’t want to compromise who I am as a person for money.”
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He continued: “I didn’t really compromise my moral compass. Maybe it made for boring TV. But I added a lot of excitement elsewhere. I was dancing with everybody all the time.”
Chmerkovskiy considered Got to Get Out a positive experience — even without the win.
“I’m very passionate about the process. I just did my best — whatever that best was. I also try not to put so much pressure on myself,” he recalled. “It takes a lot of self-discipline to not lose yourself. Maybe that’s where my experience came from since I’ve been on TV for 13 years on DWTS. I had a very cool, calm and collected type of approach to all of it.”
Got to Get Out is currently streaming on Hulu.
