DWTS’ Jenna Johnson & Val Chmerkovskiy Reveal Their Secret to Marriage

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Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy are waltzing through life. 

The professional ballroom dancers, who both appear on *Dancing With the Stars*, revealed the secret to their lasting 10-year relationship: a few key qualities they have in common.

Jenna, speaking with Meet Cutes NYC, explained that working in their field is challenging, so it’s important for couples to support each other through both good times and bad. She emphasized the need to be a source of encouragement and comfort, and to openly acknowledge the difficult parts of life they’ll face together with their partner.

Jenna, 31, added, “Those are all things that he is for me.”

Val, 39, commented on her lengthy list, quipping, “That’s a lot of secrets.”

Oh my gosh, it all began back in 2014 when Jenna first showed up on the show! They always say it was just… instant. Like, the moment they met on set, there was this connection, you know? I’ve rewatched all their scenes a million times, and you can *feel* it! It was just meant to be, I swear!

Jenna said she was immediately drawn to Val, and especially remembered how good he smelled – a scent she knew she’d never forget.

After more than ten years together, including six years of marriage, her love for Val has only deepened. She especially cherishes how devoted he is to his family and friends, and how wholeheartedly he gives himself to those he cares about.

So, what does Val adore about Jenna? “That she still loves me.”

For more stars on the secrets to their marriages, keep reading.

Recently, the couple welcomed their son, Rome, who is now two years old, and they are enjoying every moment of parenthood.

Jenna shared with *Good Morning America* in September 2024 that she feels incredibly lucky to be a mom. She always knew she wanted children, but she was surprised by the immense love and natural sense of responsibility that came with being a parent.

She added, “It tests me in a lot of ways and a lot of times I feel inadequate, but when I see him grow and learn or have new little milestones, those fulfilling moments top some of my dance career moments.”

For more stars on the secrets to their marriages, keep reading.

In their book *What Makes a Marriage Last*, Hermann revealed he never imagined he’d share so much laughter with his wife of over 20 years, Marlo Thomas. He described a dedication to joy as a core part of who she is, and credited their lasting connection to a deep acceptance of each other. “I think what sustains our marriage is that I know you love me in spite of who I am, and that is the definition of grace,” he explained.

He also shared that finding humor is crucial, even after disagreements. “One of us will test the waters with a joke-about the very thing we were fighting about,” Hermann said about their life with the *Law & Order: SVU* star. He explained that they’ll gently try to reconnect, asking if they can move past the argument and find common ground again. “Once that happens, it’s a pretty good sign that things are on their way to getting patched up.”

They’ve managed to avoid major changes in their relationship by following the same advice they received before getting married in 2003. Even with five children, they prioritize weekly date nights and have chosen to connect in ways other than watching TV.

Chip says the best advice he can give is to passionately pursue the person you love. After twenty years, he still approaches their relationship like he’s trying to win a second date. He jokes that while he can’t guarantee his wife would *never* be unfaithful, it certainly won’t be because he stopped showing her affection, forgetting special occasions, or telling her he loves her.

Kevin Bacon jokingly advises against taking marriage advice from celebrities, reflecting on his 36-year union. He and his wife have a simple rule: “Keep the fights clean and the sex dirty,” – a phrase they use to quickly shut down any further questions about their relationship.

In reality, they prioritize resolving conflicts quickly and avoid prolonged arguments. As Bacon’s wife explained, they focus on finding solutions rather than “winning” a fight. They simply don’t enjoy fighting and want to restore harmony as soon as possible. Ultimately, she emphasized that they are committed to making things work, because there is no alternative plan – they are dedicated to their marriage no matter what challenges they face.

After over 37 years of marriage, these actors have learned how to argue respectfully. One of them explained that they avoid bringing up past hurts during disagreements. Many couples, he noted, tend to target their partner’s weaknesses, almost as a game, but they consciously avoid doing that.

They do have arguments, of course. He admits he often wants to immediately take back a thoughtless comment and fix things, but he knows that doesn’t really help. Instead, he lets his wife guide the situation and gives her space. She, in turn, practices understanding, reminding herself that even if something hurtful is said, he’s a good person and likely didn’t intend to cause pain.

In December 2024, ahead of their 40th wedding anniversary, Curtis shared on *Today* that her husband still makes her laugh more than anyone else. She playfully added that he must see something she likes in her too, even if she isn’t sure what it is.

Neil Patrick Harris believes the secret to his long-lasting relationship is accepting that relationships are always changing and hard to define. After 21 years together, navigating career changes (including his partner David Burtka’s cookbook release in 2019), raising twins Gideon and Harper, and facing life’s challenges, Harris explained that marriage isn’t static. He admits that even physical intimacy evolves-it can become routine, leading couples to explore new things, and sometimes even experience periods of lost attraction. The key, he says, is rediscovering attraction, but in new ways as they both age. Eventually, he’s found, attraction shifts from physical to a deeper connection with their soul, and then back again. “It’s always changing,” he observed. “So, in a strange way, we keep falling in love with each other anew, over and over.”

The comedic duo genuinely believe their laughter extends their lives, not just over the 19 years they’ve been together. The actress, known for her role in *Can You Ever Forgive Me?*, explained that whenever they share a particularly hilarious moment – one that leaves them breathless – they calculate how much extra time it’s added to their lives. She jokingly keeps a running tally, claiming a big laugh might buy her another two months!

They also limit how long disagreements can last. Following the advice to never go to bed angry, Falcone realized that holding onto anger overnight is pointless. She found that she’d often forgotten what she was upset about in the morning. Trying to resolve an argument when everyone is tired or has had a drink is unproductive. She’s never experienced a late-night argument ending with a satisfying resolution and a peaceful truce.

Both having been married previously, the couple met in 1995 and quickly found themselves blending families, each with two children. The actor, known for *Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist*, explained, “I realized right away these kids already had mothers, and I wasn’t one of them. So, I asked myself, what could I offer?” She decided to be a supportive presence. “Everyone needs a cheerleader, and there are never enough of those. I didn’t try to set rules, discipline them, or teach them right from wrong – they already had parents for that.” Her husband, famous for *Cheers*, completely agreed. “Offering yourself as a friend is a really smart approach,” he said. “Let them know you won’t discipline or judge, but that you’ll simply be there for them. That’s all you need to do – genuinely be present in their lives.”

As someone who’s seen a lot of relationships, I always find the little things make the biggest difference, and Elton John and David Furnish truly exemplify that. They were among the first couples to take advantage of civil unions when they became legal in Britain, having a ceremony in 2005, and then again as a full wedding nine years later. But, interestingly, the anniversary they *celebrate* isn’t either of those dates! It’s the night they unexpectedly met – at a dinner party at Elton’s flat in Windsor back in 1993. A friend orchestrated the guest list, and the rest, as they say, is history.

What I find particularly sweet is their weekly ritual. Every Saturday, no matter where they are in the world, they write each other a handwritten note. They’ve been doing this for years – they estimate it’s around 1,352 letters now! David believes there’s something incredibly special and genuine about handwriting, and the cards give them a chance to reflect on the past week and look forward to the next. Elton agrees completely, saying that consistent communication is key to a lasting relationship – and I couldn’t agree more!

After quietly building a 40-year marriage – she even had dreams about him before they met – they’ve made a conscious effort to keep their relationship strong, even as their lives have changed. They both agree that marriage is their top priority, and they actively work to reconnect when they lose focus. If she could offer one piece of advice, it would be to always prioritize that connection. He passionately affirmed his devotion, saying he would do anything for his wife, even face any challenge or hardship, and wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of showing her his love. He emphasized that if you value a long and happy marriage, you must protect it at all costs.

ABC News reporter Roberts admits she doesn’t enjoy casual check-in calls. “I don’t like it when people call just to ask ‘What’s up,'” she explained. However, a close friend-who loves making phone calls-helped her change her perspective.

One friend pointed out that he likely calls simply because hearing her voice reassures him that everything is okay. Roberts realized this was a sweet thought she hadn’t considered before. If those calls brought him comfort, she decided, they should matter to her too.

Now, she takes a moment to respond kindly, saying something like, “I’m busy, but what’s new with you?” She’s learned that a quick, positive response means a lot to him, and it doesn’t take much effort on her part. They celebrated 29 years of marriage in September 2024.

I’ve always admired Kelly and Mark’s relationship, and hearing about how they built such a strong marriage over nearly 30 years is really inspiring. I remember reading about one of their early fights – Mark actually threw Kelly’s ring out the window! They’ve said that in the beginning, it’s so easy for small disagreements to feel like dealbreakers, especially with the stresses of finances, work, or raising kids while exhausted. But Mark taught Kelly a valuable lesson: to step away and take a deep breath. She realized that not every argument needs to be a crisis! They’ve definitely put that wisdom to good use, and now, as parents of three, they’re enjoying the rewards. It makes so much sense – any couple that seems genuinely happy has probably weathered some really tough times together, and that’s something to celebrate, isn’t it?

She describes herself as an introvert, almost a loner, while he’s a total extrovert – he jokingly calls himself “the mayor of everywhere.” She’s a bit messy, and he’s a bit of a perfectionist, as she playfully pointed out. But after being married since 2003, they’ve learned to accept each other’s quirks.

That’s the advice the lead actress from *How to Get Away With Murder* gives to friends who are getting married. She explains that marriage doesn’t begin at the wedding ceremony. It starts when you realize your partner has a trait that might annoy you, but you love them anyway. That moment of acceptance, she says, is when marriage truly begins.

Maintaining a long-term relationship, like any lasting over 50 years, requires quickly resolving conflicts. Jane Fonda, star of *Grace and Frankie*, often takes the lead in making amends, explaining, “I usually apologize because I love her and can’t stand the thought of her feeling alone, even for a few minutes.” Ideally, she avoids arguments altogether. She’s learned that saying something hurtful in anger will ultimately cause *you* more pain later, as you’ll regret hurting the person you love. It’s a double dose of anger, which isn’t good for your health or your relationship.

It’s fitting that Jerry, a former judge, says his long marriage to the iconic Judge Judy works because he generally lets her have the final say. For her, the key is accepting that you won’t always get your way. Their marriage initially ended in 1990 after her father’s death, when Jerry couldn’t provide the support she needed. However, they remarried quickly a year later, and she understood he wouldn’t suddenly become a homemaker or take charge of planning events.

She explained simply that unhappiness in relationships often comes from trying to change your partner. “You can try,” she said, “but they’ll always resent it. Don’t marry someone expecting them to be different than they are.”

The actor from *Lost* credits his wife with being the rock of their family. He told TopMob News in April 2025 that her patience and support, especially while he travels for work, have been essential to their stability. He described her as ‘fantastic’.

The actor described his wife as incredibly patient, and said she and their two sons help him stay grounded, no matter the situation.

“They shape my values,” he added. “It’s great to have that perspective and North Star.”

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2025-09-26 04:19