Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy (born April 12, 1994)^[1] is an American Latin and ballroom dancer and choreographer. She first gained attention in 2013, as she finished ladies' third runner-up on So You Think You Can Dance season 10. Johnson continued her professional dancing career on Dancing with the Stars, winning her second season with her partner, Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon.

Early life

Johnson was born in California, but raised in Provo, Utah.^[2][3] Her two older sisters, Stacy and Jill, also are dancers.^[3] Johnson is a five-time U.S. National Latin Champion, U.S. National Youth 10 Dance Champion, as well as a three-time National Contemporary Winner. In 2012, she represented the United States at the World Latin Dance Champions.^[4]

So You Think You Can Dance

Johnson was a contestant on season 10 of So You Think You Can Dance. She first auditioned the show in Memphis, Tennessee. Her two older sisters had auditioned prior to her, but were cut at Green Mile. She was paired with contemporary dancer Tucker Knox and made it to the top 8. Her specialty was Latin Ballroom. She was eliminated on August 20, 2013.^[5] In 2016, she was one of the mentors and choreographers on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation. She competed alongside Jake Monreal and made it to the Top 8 before elimination on August 1, 2016.^[6] She returned to season 14 as an all-star, mentoring Kiki Nyemchek, and made it to the Top 4.^{[citation needed]}

Dancing With The Stars

Johnson was a troupe member on Dancing with the Stars from season 18 to season 22. She became a professional dancer on season 23 and was partnered with actor Jake T. Austin.^[7] They danced jive and cha-cha and were the first couple eliminated on September 20, 2016.^[8] Due to Sharna Burgess sitting out the October 31 and November 7 shows for a knee injury from the October 24 dress rehearsal, Johnson filled in as James Hinchcliffe's partner in weeks 8 and 9 and was their trio partner in Week 10.^[9]

After taking season 24 off, she returned in season 25 as a troupe member.^[10] In April 2018, Johnson was announced to be a pro for her second time on season 26 and she was paired with Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon.^[11] The couple reached the finals and won the competition on May 21, 2018.^[12] She is one of few dancers to win in her second season and to win after being eliminated first in her previous season.^[13]

Following her win, Johnson returned for season 27 and she was paired with reality television star Joe Amabile.^[14] Despite continually receiving low scores and criticism from the judges, the pair was consistently saved by the viewers' votes. They ultimately made it to the semi-finals of the competition where they finished in fifth place, tying with Juan Pablo Di Pace and Cheryl Burke.

For season 28, she was partnered with Queer Eye expert Karamo Brown. The couple was eliminated on the seventh week of competition, finishing in eighth place overall.^[15]

For season 29, she was paired with Catfish producer and host Nev Schulman. They finished in second place overall behind Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev.^[16]

For season 30, she was paired with dancer, singer, and YouTuber JoJo Siwa, in which she was part of the first same-sex dancing partnership in the show's history.^[17] They finished in second place overall behind Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach.^[18]

Johnson returned after giving birth in January for season 32 and was paired with Tyson Beckford.^[19] They were the third couple eliminated, finishing in twelfth place.

Season 23

With celebrity partner Jake T. Austin

Season 23

with James Hinchcliffe (Weeks 8 and 9, injury replacement)

Because of an injury to Sharna Burgess, Johnson returned to the show as the substitute partner for the INDYCAR driver in Weeks 8 and 9, replacing Burgess. The scores listed reflect her weeks as his substitute.

Burgess returned in Week 10. Idina Menzel was a guest judge in Week 9, taking Goodman’s place

Season 26

With celebrity partner Adam Rippon

¹ Score given by guest judge Rashad Jennings.

² Score given by guest judge David Ross.

Season 27

With celebrity partner Joe Amabile

Season 28

With celebrity partner Karamo Brown.

Due to a death in the family of Jenna's childhood best friend Lindsay Arnold, Jenna stepped in to dance with former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer for weeks 8 and 9.^[20]

¹ Score given by guest judge Leah Remini.

² Stepping in for Lindsay Arnold to dance with Sean Spicer.

³ Score given by guest judge Joey Fatone.

Season 29

With celebrity partner Nev Schulman

Season 30

With celebrity partner JoJo Siwa

Season 32

With celebrity partner Tyson Beckford

¹ Score given by guest judge Michael Strahan.

Personal life

On June 14, 2018, Johnson and fellow Dancing with the Stars ballroom-dance professional Valentin Chmerkovskiy announced their engagement.^[21] They married on April 13, 2019.^[22] On July 15, 2022, Chmerkovskiy and Johnson announced Jenna’s pregnancy with their first child, a boy, due in January 2023.^[23] Their son, Rome Valentin Chmerkovskiy, was born on January 10, 2023.^[24]