How Many Times Has Val Won Dancing With The Stars

My friend Lisa, who still thinks the Macarena is a viable party move, called me last night in a panic. She was arguing with her cousin about whether Val Chmerkovskiy had five or six Mirrorball trophies. I could hear the tension over the phone—this was serious stuff.

So, I grabbed my laptop, ready to settle the debate. And honestly? The answer is not as straightforward as you’d think, which is why we’re here. Buckle up, because we’re about to dive into Val’s glittery, trophy-filled history on Dancing With the Stars.

The Short Answer (Because I Know You’re Impatient)

Val Chmerkovskiy has won two Mirrorball Trophies as a pro. Yes, just two. (I know, right? It feels like it should be more, given his reputation.)

His first win was with Rumer Willis in Season 20 (back in 2015). His second came with Laurie Hernandez in Season 23 (2016). So, two wins in two consecutive seasons—talk about a hot streak.

(Side note: He also won a third time, but that was as a troupe member in Season 18, not as a pro. We’re not counting that here, but feel free to flex that trivia at a party.)

The Wins, Broken Down Like a Cha-Cha Beat

Let’s strap on our dance shoes and look at the details. Season 20: Rumer Willis. The daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore came in with no dance background, but she had incredible poise. Val was fresh off a rough break-up (publicly, at least) and poured all that emotion into their routines.

Their freestyle to “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts? Still gives me chills. That win felt like a redemption arc for Val, who had been a runner-up twice before.

Season 23: Laurie Hernandez. This was the Olympic gymnast who had just crushed it in Rio. Laurie was 16, full of energy, and terrified of dropping Val during lifts. Spoiler: she didn’t drop him. They won with a perfect score for their freestyle, and Val got to lift his second trophy.

Ironically, he’s come close so many other times. He was second with Zendaya (Season 16), second with Janel Parrish (Season 19), and even finished third with Normani Kordei (Season 24). So close, yet so far.

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Why Only Two Wins? (And Why It Kills Me)

You’d think a pro with Val’s charisma and technique would have at least three. But DWTS is a brutal game of public votes and fan bases. Sometimes a ringer (a ringer = a ringer = a celebrity with prior dance training) like Laurie wins, and sometimes a surprising underdog like Bindi Irwin beats you.

Val has also been cursed by the “Good Dancer, Bad Partner” trope. Remember when he was paired with Monica Aldama from Cheer? She was a drill sergeant, not a dancer, and they were eliminated early. Ouch.

(Whispering: And let’s not forget the year he was with Mischa Barton. We don’t talk about that. It was a disaster.)

The “Hidden” Wins and Technicalities

If we get really pedantic (and I love getting pedantic), Val has been part of three winning teams. He was a troupe member in Season 18 when Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy won. Yes, he was dancing in the background, but that trophy went to the team.

Do we count that? Most fans say no, because he wasn’t the lead pro. But Val himself has joked about it in interviews. “I technically have three,” he once said, winking. (Oh, Val. You cheeky man.)

Also, in Season 23, did you know his brother Maks was a judge? That season was extra emotional for the Chmerkovskiy family. The vibe was so thick you could cut it with a Paso Doble sword.

How many times has Val Chmerkovskiy won Dancing with the Stars? Details

The Real Question: Does It Matter?

Honestly? Not really. Val is one of the most respected pros in DWTS history, win or lose. He’s been on the show since Season 13 (2011) and has only missed a handful of seasons. He’s taught us that a second-place finish is still a huge deal.

And let’s be real: he got two in a row. That’s more than most pros ever get. (Looking at you, Keo Motsepe, with zero wins. Sorry, Keo.)

So, the next time you’re in a bar argument about this—yes, Lisa, I’m talking to you—remember: Val Chmerkovskiy has two official Mirrorball Trophies as a pro. Period. Unless you count the troupe one, then three. But don’t start that fight unless you’re ready for a dance-off.

Final Fun Fact (Because I’m a Nerd)

If Val ever gets a third win, he’ll tie his brother Maks (who also has two). But Maks has been on the show longer and had a bigger ego about it. The sibling rivalry is real, folks. You can feel it when they argue on Instagram.

Until then, Val keeps chasing that third trophy. Maybe with a football player? A country singer? A hand model? Who knows. But I’ll be watching, popcorn in hand, hoping for that third cha-cha championship.

(P.S. If you’re reading this, Val, please dance with a golden retriever next season. We need that.)