'DWTS' Pros Val Chmerkovskiy & Jenna Johnson's Road to Parenthood Was Tough — They Are Expecting Their 1st Kid

Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson didn't become pregnant with their first child for four years of their marriage. When they finally did, their sister-in-law seemed more excited about the upcoming child than them!

In 2014, Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy met on "Dancing with the Stars (DWTS)" when she joined as a troupe member. Two years later, Jenna was promoted to a full-time professional on season 23.

On the other hand, Val had a long history with the dance show and had won the Mirrorball trophy several times. He started appearing on the show from season 2 but only became a full-time professional in 2011, in season 13.

When Jenna and Val started seeing each other, they kept their relationship a secret for the first few months. In February 2016, the media spotted them cuddling while out for lunch in West Hollywood.

Jenna was seen caressing Val's face and hair as they ate their meal. Later on, they were spotted with their arms wrapped around each other as they walked together down the street.

In February 2017, after almost five months of seeing each other, the couple separated, and Val dated Amber Rose. Soon after that, Jenna and Val restarted their relationship, but this time it was public, with the pair sharing a kiss on DWTS during season 25's finale.

In an interview with People magazine, Val revealed that they decided to go public with their relationship because he was "tired of fighting" the way he felt for his co-star. He knew Hollywood and people were obsessed with love stories, adding:

"I feel like it's private. It should remain private but, at the same time, I understand I can't be a hypocrite. I'm on Instagram kind of sharing our vacations and my love for her constantly."

HOW VAL WAS INSPIRED BY HIS BROTHER TO MARRY JENNA AND HAVE BABY FEVER

In August 2017, while attending Los Angeles' Industry Dance Awards and Cancer Benefit Show, Val discussed marriage. The interview came after his older brother, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, married the love of his life, Peta Murgatroyd.

Speaking to The Insider, Val confessed that he'd caught "the wedding bug." He explained that he'd gained a different perspective on what happiness and love were before noting:

"You know, I'm in a great place and I'm in love, and I'm very grateful for that."

In May 2018, during an Us Weekly interview, the couple was asked if they'd thought about marriage. Jenna admitted they'd spoken about what steps to take next, but the past few months had been a bit busy.

Besides thinking about marriage, Val and Jenna were also stuck with baby fever that same year after seeing Maksim and his wife welcome a child, son Shai. The former "So You Think You Can Dance" contestant said her boyfriend never grew up with children.

Jenna felt Shai came suddenly into Val's life, and he was overwhelmed with what to do but enjoyed being a new uncle. She also thought it was excellent training for her man because he needed to learn how to change a diaper.

The professional dancer thought Val was a great uncle who greatly loved his nephew. She also revealed that she and her co-star were definitely set to have children of their own "in the future."

Speaking to People in 2018, Val noted how his girlfriend would love to become a mother. However, she had other things happening in her life that he'd feel selfish to interrupt for nine months, but he hoped they'd have a child "soon."

JENNA AND VAL'S ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING

In June 2018, Val proposed to his girlfriend in Venice, Italy. Jenna shared the news on Twitter with a picture of her co-star and boyfriend kneeling to propose with a ring and revealed she was engaged.

In the next photo, Jenna was seen bending down to kiss her fiancé and shared that she'd said yes. Val also shared an image to celebrate the special moment and revealed that he couldn't wait to make Jenna his wife.

He also shared an Instagram image of Jenna wearing the new sparkly engagement ring he proposed, captioning the post "Fiancée." The DWTS professional shared the same photo and revealed that she was engaged because her boyfriend finally "put a ring on it."

The engagement ring was created by Jacob & Co.'s Jacob and Val Arabo. It was designed with a large rectangular cushion-cut diamond with a halo and a pavé band formed with the same gemstone.

Maksim's brother proposed in Italy because it was the country he'd known he would do it in since teenagehood. Speaking to People, Val confessed that his life had changed because of his fiancée, adding:

"And I find myself to be the best version of myself that I've ever been. She's awesome."

In April 2019, Jenna and Val tied the knot at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palo Verdes, California. Their wedding ceremony overlooking the ocean was attended by 200 guests.

The couple said their vows underneath a chuppah decorated with ranunculus, Tibet roses, lisianthus, astilbe, peonies, and garden rose floral arrangements. They were created by Shawna Yamamoto Floral & Event Design.

THE LONG ROAD TO PARENTHOOD

In July 2022, four years after their marriage, Val and his wife announced they were expecting their first child together! Jenna told People that two weeks after she and her husband got home from Cabo, she noticed that her breasts felt big and sore.

She hadn't started her period and promptly took a pregnancy test which came out positive! The television personality told the publication how she reacted to the fantastic news, stating:

"The shock and just disbelief was insane. I couldn't believe it because it wasn't an easy journey for us to get pregnant."

Jenna noted how everyone told them to relax and avoid stress to allow a pregnancy to happen, and that was exactly how it played out. She thought it was meant to be at that exact point.

She [Peta Murgatroyd] celebrated the exciting thought of becoming an aunt, and her son [Shai Chmerkovskiy] having a cousin.

The star said their baby was created "with a lot of love," and it seemed magical. During her first trimester, Val's wife experienced fear because she knew many things could go wrong, so she took the time to relax, stay calm, and keep her body healthy.

She confessed that it was hard because she was an active person who loved working out and dancing. However, she shifted to prioritizing her baby and the changes that were occurring to her.

Her husband was obsessed with the growth of her body and was positive and sweet about it to Jenna. She revealed how he made her "feel so beautiful" throughout the process.

HOW MAKSIM AND PETA CONGRATULATED THE HAPPY COUPLE

Peta took to her Instagram Story with People's images from Jenna and Val's pregnancy announcement to congratulate the couple. She noted how the great news was out and congratulated the pair sharing how they would be "the best parents!!!"

Maksim's wife also shared her brother-in-law's sonogram post and celebrated the idea that they were getting another Chmerkovskiy. A video post revealed how she and Maksim were "ecstatic" for Jenna and Val.

Peta said she was happy the couple was expanding their family, laughing at how she sounded like the baby was hers. She celebrated the exciting thought of becoming an aunt and her son having a cousin.