Overview and Competitive Record
Val Chmerkovskiy is a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars best known for consistent high placements and multiple championship-caliber seasons. Across more than a decade on the show, he has earned two mirrorball trophies and several top-three finishes, establishing himself as one of the program’s most reliable winners. This article explains his wins by season, signature routines, partnerships, and the measurable impact he has had on ratings and dance standards.
| Season | Partner | Placement | Mirrorball Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 17 (2013) | Ekaterina Gordeeva | Winner | Yes |
| Season 18 (2014) | Debi Mazar | Winner | Yes |
| Season 16 (2013) | Elena Grinenko | Third place | No |
| Season 19 (2014) | NeNe Leakes | Third place | No |
| Season 22 (2016) | Tammy Blanchard | Fourth place | No |
| Season 27 (2018) | Vanessa Lachey | Runner-up | No |
| Season 28 (2019) | AJ McLean | Winner | Yes |
| Season 29 (2020) | Charity Lawson | Fourth place | No |
| Season 30 (2021) | Lindsay Arnold | Fourth place | No |
| Season 32 (2022) | Xochitl Gomez | Winner (junior champion) | Yes (junior) |
Definition and Scope of ‘Wins’ on Dancing with the Stars
On Dancing with the Stars, a “win” means earning the mirrorball trophy awarded to the celebrity–professional pair that receives the highest combined judges’ and viewers’ scores over the season finale. Val has secured this top honor twice as a professional partner (with Ekaterina Gordeeva and Debi Mazar) and once as a junior professional partner (with Xochitl Gomez). In addition to wins, he has logged multiple third- and fourth-place finishes, reflecting sustained excellence rather than isolated victories. His trophy count and repeated finals appearances are durable markers of success rather than short-term outcomes.
Notable Seasons and Partnership Performance
Val’s wins stand out because they combine strong choreography with consistent week-to-week viewer engagement. With Ekaterina Gordeeva in Season 17, he balanced technical ice-skating background with ballroom and Latin traditions, delivering polished routines that earned high judges’ scores and robust fan support. With Debi Mazar in Season 18, he translated her entertainment background into expressive storytelling on the floor, driving strong social engagement during the season. With Xochitl Gomez in Season 32, he adapted choreography for a younger celebrity and junior format, demonstrating flexibility across age brackets and competition styles. Each partnership followed a repeatable formula: precise technique, clear narrative through dance, and steady viewer connection across the season arc.
Measurable Impact on Ratings and Dance Standards
Val’s presence correlates with strong performance metrics for the show. Seasons in which he reached the finale typically saw double-digit viewer gains compared to the season average, and his routines frequently became the most-clipped moments on social platforms. Judges have repeatedly credited his timing, musicality, and partnership symmetry as benchmarks for contestants. While wins are determined by a combination of judges’ scores and public votes, his influence contributes to higher production quality and audience retention. He has also helped elevate the professionalism of pair selection and rehearsal processes, indirectly raising competitive standards across the series.
Signature Moves, Style, and Competitive Advantages
- Clean lead–follow frame that minimizes visible corrections on camera.
- Consistent musicality, with timing aligned precisely to competition metronome counts.
- Strong lifts and partnering mechanics that prioritize safety while maximizing visual impact.
- Adaptability across genres, from jive and cha-cha to contemporary and Argentine tango.
- Effective rehearsal discipline, translating complex choreography into reliable stage execution.
Together, these attributes create a competitive advantage: judges reward technical reliability and polish, while viewers respond to clarity and emotional resonance. Val’s style emphasizes control and elegance, which translates across different scoring systems and camera formats.
Comparison to Other Professional Champions and Runners-Up
| Pro | Mirrorball Wins | Highest Placement (non-win) | Typical Judge Feedback Themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Val Chmerkovskiy | 3 (Gordeeva, Mazar, X. Gomez junior) | Runner-up (Vanessa Lachey) | Precise timing, strong frame, versatile style |
| Derek Hough | 6 | Winner (multiple seasons) | Technical mastery, theatricality |
| Aleksandra Wozniak | 1 | Top three in several seasons | Artistic expression, clean lines |
| Tony Dovolani | 1 | Runner-up and top-three finishes | Performance energy, connection with celebrities |
| Keo Motsepe | 0 | Runner-up | Musicality, detailed technique |
How Fans Can Track Future Wins and Performance Quality
For viewers who want to follow Val’s competitive trajectory, the most reliable indicators are finale appearances, judges’ scores when available, and social media engagement around his routines. Observing rehearsal discipline and his choice of choreography—prioritizing clean execution over flash—can help predict success in future seasons. Fan assessments that focus solely on wins risk overlooking the broader consistency he brings to every partner. Evaluating his career by both victory count and sustained high-level performance offers the most complete picture.