Jenna Johnson broke her nose the night before Grammy Night, then still planned to dance. Fans who ask who is jenna johnson want the full story behind that grit. She is a two-time Mirrorball winner, an Emmy-nominated choreographer, and a mum.
If you ask who is jenna johnson, this guide gives you the full answer. You will learn how she won twice, who she married, and what season 35 holds. We start with the short answer, then walk through her career step by step.
Who is Jenna Johnson?
The short answer to who is jenna johnson starts with dance. She is an American Latin and ballroom dancer and choreographer on Dancing with the Stars. Born on 12 April 1994, she won the Mirrorball Trophy twice, in 2018 and 2024. She dances in season 35 with actor Harry Shum Jr., even after breaking her nose.
Her full name is Jenna Michelle Johnson Chmerkovskiy, after her marriage to Val Chmerkovskiy. She grew up in Provo, Utah, after being born in Los Angeles, California. Dance filled her childhood, and she started lessons when she was three years old.
Viewers first met her on So You Think You Can Dance in 2013. She then joined Dancing with the Stars as a troupe dancer in 2014. Two years later she turned pro, and the wins soon followed.
At a Glance
- Born 12 April 1994 in Los Angeles, raised in Provo, Utah.
- Two Mirrorball wins: Adam Rippon in 2018, Joey Graziadei in 2024.
- Emmy-nominated choreographer with husband Val Chmerkovskiy.
- Season 35 partner: Harry Shum Jr., dancing a Grammy Night salsa.
- Broke her nose on 9 November 2026 during camera blocking.
What happened to Jenna Johnson’s nose before Grammy Night?
Jenna Johnson broke her nose on Monday 9 November 2026 during camera blocking. Camera blocking is the rehearsal where dancers test steps with the show cameras. She shared the news herself in a close-up video posted on 10 November.
Her right side looked swollen, but she joked that she had no black eyes. She captioned the clip, Salsa: 1, Jenna’s nose: 0, and fans loved her humour. The salsa was set for Grammy Night, danced to Die With a Smile.
The song comes from Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, and it won a 2025 Grammy. Jenna gave no sign that she would miss the live show. The pair still planned to dance their salsa on Tuesday night.
How Jenna Johnson started dancing
Jenna started dancing at three, and ballroom followed when she was eight. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary styles too. Her early titles include five United States National Latin Championships.
She also won the United States National Youth 10 Dance title as a teen. In 2012 she danced for the United States at the World Latin Championships in Beijing. Those wins built the base for her television career.
At 18 she tried out for So You Think You Can Dance in Memphis, Tennessee. She reached season 10 in 2013 and danced with Tucker Knox as her partner. She left in the quarter-finals on 20 August 2013. Young dancers can read our guide to how to become a dancer.
Jenna Johnson on Dancing with the Stars
Jenna joined the Dancing with the Stars troupe in 2014 for season 18. She stayed with the troupe through season 22 and learned the show inside out. Her big break came in 2016, when she turned pro for season 23.
Her first pro partner was actor Jake T. Austin, and they left first. They finished 13th, a tough start for a dancer with her talent. She went back to the troupe for season 25, then won her pro place again.
Since then she has danced with stars from sport, film, and reality television. Her partners include Nev Schulman, JoJo Siwa, and Joey Graziadei. She also danced with Joe Amabile in season 27 and Corey Feldman in season 34. The table below shows her seasons, partners, and final places.
| Season | Partner | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Jake T. Austin | 13th |
| Athletes (26) | Adam Rippon | 1st |
| 28 | Karamo Brown | 8th |
| 29 | Nev Schulman | 2nd |
| 30 | JoJo Siwa | 2nd |
| 32 | Tyson Beckford | 12th |
| 33 | Joey Graziadei | 1st |
| 35 | Harry Shum Jr. | To be decided |
Two Mirrorball wins and an Emmy nod
Jenna won her first Mirrorball Trophy in the Athletes season in May 2018. Her partner was Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, and they won on 21 May. The win made her a champion after years of hard work in the troupe.
Her second win came in season 33 with Joey Graziadei from The Bachelor. They lifted the trophy on 26 November 2024 after a strong final. Two wins put her among the show’s most trusted pros.
In 2024 she also earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for choreography. She shared the nod with Val for a waltz that honoured late judge Len Goodman. The nomination showed her skill behind the steps, not just in front of them. Read our guide to how to become a choreographer if you dream of the same job.
Jenna Johnson, Val Chmerkovskiy and son Rome
Fans who search who is jenna johnson often ask about her husband next. Jenna met fellow pro Val Chmerkovskiy on the Dancing with the Stars set. They began dating in 2017 and got engaged in Venice in June 2018. They married on 13 April 2019 at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Val is a two-time Mirrorball winner himself, so dance fills their home life. They often help each other with steps, and they share ideas for routines. In season 35 Val dances with Jenna Dewan, while Jenna dances with Harry.
Their son Rome Valentin Chmerkovskiy was born on 10 January 2023. Jenna took time away from the show after his birth, then came back strong. She now balances mum life with long days in the rehearsal room.
Season 35 with Harry Shum Jr.
Season 35 paired Jenna with actor and dancer Harry Shum Jr. Harry is known for Glee and for playing Dr Benson Kwan on Grey’s Anatomy. The pair clicked fast, and their scores have stayed near the top. Season 35 shows why who is jenna johnson trends each Tuesday night.
On Dedication Night they scored 36 out of 40 for a foxtrot. Harry gave the dance to his wife Shelby, who joined them on the floor. Their last two dances before Grammy Night earned perfect scores from the judges.
Earlier in the season Jenna headbutted Harry by mistake during a rehearsal. Both stars joked about the bumps in posts and interviews. Their strong scores won them immunity from the Grammy Night dance-offs.
Why Jenna Johnson keeps viewers watching
The full story of who is jenna johnson mixes sharp technique with warm style. She has survived early exits, won twice, and raised a son mid-career. Her broken nose adds one more test, and she meets it head on.
Watch her Grammy Night salsa, then check her next scores each week. If fame draws you in, read our honest guide to how stars get famous. Whitney Leavitt also danced on the show, and her story is on this site too. Browse more profiles in our Celebrity section for fresh star stories.
Questions readers ask about Jenna Johnson
Who is Jenna Johnson partnered with in season 35?
Jenna Johnson dances with actor Harry Shum Jr. in season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. Harry is known for Glee and Grey’s Anatomy. Their Dedication Night foxtrot scored 36 out of 40. They danced a Grammy Night salsa to Die With a Smile.
How many times has Jenna Johnson won Dancing with the Stars?
Jenna Johnson has won Dancing with the Stars twice. She won the Athletes season in 2018 with Adam Rippon. She won season 33 in 2024 with Joey Graziadei. She also reached two finals as runner-up, with Nev Schulman and JoJo Siwa.
Did Jenna Johnson really break her nose?
Yes, Jenna Johnson broke her nose on 9 November 2026 during camera blocking. She showed the swelling in a video posted on 10 November. She joked that her nose looked four times its size. She still planned to dance her Grammy Night salsa with Harry Shum Jr.
Who is Jenna Johnson married to?
Jenna Johnson is married to fellow Dancing with the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy. They met on the show, dated from 2017, and married on 13 April 2019. Their son Rome was born on 10 January 2023. Val dances with Jenna Dewan in season 35.
How old is Jenna Johnson?
Jenna Johnson was born on 12 April 1994, so she is 32 years old. She was born in Los Angeles and raised in Provo, Utah. She started dancing at three and turned pro on Dancing with the Stars in 2016. Her big wins came in 2018 and 2024.
What show made Jenna Johnson famous first?
So You Think You Can Dance gave Jenna Johnson her first national stage in 2013. She joined season 10 at 18 and reached the quarter-finals. She then moved to Dancing with the Stars as a troupe dancer in 2014. She turned pro there in 2016 and won twice.