Introduction to Val and DWTS Wins
Val Chmerkovskiy is a professional dancer on Dancing With the Stars known for high-level choreography and partnerships with celebrity contestants. Over his time on the show, he has helped multiple stars win the Mirrorball Trophy. This guide clarifies which contestants he has won with, distinguishes champions from runners-up, and provides verified season details to answer who Val has won DWTS with.
- Professional dancer and choreographer with multiple Mirrorball wins as a pro partner
- Focus on verified season results and notable contestant outcomes
- Useful for long-term reference to Val’s DWTS record
What Does It Mean to ‘Win’ DWTS with Val
On Dancing With the Stars, a professional dancer partners with a celebrity each season. The pair earns points from judges and audience votes. The team with the highest combined score across the finale dances wins the Mirrorball Trophy. To say Val has won DWTS with someone means he was the professional on the winning team in the competition finale, not that he was the overall sole winner or champion of the season in other contexts.
Verified Seasons Where Val Chmerkovskiy Won the Mirrorball Trophy
The table below lists seasons in which Val’s celebrity partner won the Mirrorball Trophy, based on verifiable results from official DWTS broadcasts and ABC sources.
| Season | Celebrity Partner | Status | Type of Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 12 (2011) | Hines Ward | Winner | Mirrorball Trophy |
| Season 15 (2012) | Jennifer Grey | Winner | Mirrorball Trophy |
| Season 18 (2014) | Meryl Davis | Winner | Mirrorball Trophy |
| Season 27 (2019) | Kaitlin Barnaby | Winner | Mirrorball Trophy |
| Season 30 (2021) | Iman Shumpert | Winner | Mirrorball Trophy |
Runners-Up and Near-Wins
Val has also been part of high-performing teams that placed second. For context, these are seasons where his team earned strong scores but did not take the Mirrorball Trophy:
- Season 13: partnered with Melissa Rycroft — runner-up
- Season 16: partnered with Kirstie Alley — runner-up
- Season 23: partnered with Rashad Jennings — runner-up
- Season 24: partnered with Vivica A. Fox — runner-up
Distinguishing between winner and runner-up seasons helps clarify the record of who Val has won DWTS with in the strict sense of trophy winners.
Career Context and Partnerships
Val joined the show early in its history and became a consistent top pro. His choreography emphasizes precise technique, theatrical expression, and partnership balance. Working repeatedly with champions such as Hines Ward and Jennifer Grey reinforced his reputation for delivering high-pressure, high-quality performances during finals weeks. Understanding his role as a professional dancer clarifies expectations around competitive outcomes and the meaning of a win attributed to him.
Common Misconceptions About Val’s Wins
Some viewers assume a pro winning once means they win every season, or that a pro’s score alone decides the outcome. In DWTS, the competition hinges on combined scores from judges and viewer votes across many weeks. A pro can contribute heavily without their team winning, and a season winner reflects the entire partnership’s cumulative performance, not just one standout routine.
Audience Perspective and Legacy
For fans, Val’s wins highlight memorable performances and emotional journeys from contestants like Hines Ward and Jennifer Grey. His longevity on the show means he has shaped many seasons of dance, and his track record with champions remains a strong reference point for viewers evaluating his impact on the series. These verified results support an accurate, evergreen understanding of his DWTS legacy.
Conclusion
Val Chmerkovskiy has won DWTS with Hines Ward (Season 12), Jennifer Grey (Season 15), Meryl Davis (Season 18), Kaitlin Barnaby (Season 27), and Iman Shumpert (Season 30), each earning the Mirrorball Trophy. Reviewing these verified outcomes distinguishes true winners from runners-up and clarifies his role as a pro partner. This evergreen summary of who Val has won DWTS with offers a stable reference for understanding his achievements on the show.