How Many Times Did Val Win Dancing With The Stars

So the other night, I was at a friend’s dinner party. Someone—let’s call him Dave—loudly declared, “Val Chmerkovskiy? Oh, he’s won everything, like, a dozen times.” I nearly choked on my wine. Dave is usually wrong about everything (he thinks the moon landing was filmed in a studio), but it got me thinking: how many times did Val actually win Dancing With the Stars?

Let’s clear this up right now, because my friend Dave is a menace to trivia. Val Chmerkovskiy has won the Mirrorball Trophy three times. Yes, just three—not four, not five, and certainly not a dozen. But oh, those three wins are stacked with drama, talent, and one very famous partner.

The First Win: A Long Time Coming

Val’s first victory came in Season 20 (spring 2015) with Rumer Willis. If you don’t know Rumer, she’s Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s daughter—and she can move. This was Val’s sixth season on the show, and he’d been the “almost” guy forever.

Remember his brother Maks? He’d won the season before with Amber Riley. Val was probably thinking, “Finally, my turn, bro.” And Rumer delivered: they scored perfect 40s three times during the season. Their freestyle? Chef’s kiss.

The Second Win: The One Everyone Remembers

Then came Season 23 (fall 2016) with Laurie Hernandez. Laurie was a gold-medal gymnast from the Rio Olympics, and she was only 16 years old at the time. Imagine being a teenager and dancing the Argentine Tango like a seasoned pro—that’s Laurie.

This win was special because Val had to adapt. Laurie was tiny, but she had the work ethic of a gladiator. They became the first couple to get a perfect score for their first dance of the season. Side note: I still watch their trio dance with Alan Bersten when I need a mood boost. You’re welcome.

The Third Win: The Comeback Queen

Val’s most recent win was Season 32 (fall 2023) with Xochitl Gomez. You might know Xochitl as America Chavez from Doctor Strange, or from The Babysitters Club if you’re a Netflix junkie. She was only 17, and she came in hot.

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

This win was almost poetic. Val had taken a break from the show for a couple of seasons. He came back, got a young, energetic partner, and they smashed it. They got the first perfect score of the season for their contemporary dance. I screamed. You probably screamed too, if you watched.

But Wait, What About the Near Misses?

Here’s where it gets ironic. Val has three wins, but he’s been in the finals seven times. That’s a lot of “almost” moments. He was runner-up with Zendaya in Season 16 (2013)—and that loss still stings for fans. Zendaya was robbed, and we all know it.

He also got second place with Normani Kordei (Season 24) and Janel Parrish (Season 19). Second place is like getting a participation trophy for your soul. It’s painful. But Val turned those near-misses into fuel, and now he’s tied with Derek Hough for most wins among male pros. (Derek has six, by the way—but he’s also a judge now, so whatever.)

The “Val Effect” in Numbers

Let’s geek out for a second. Val has been on the show for 16 seasons. He’s danced with everyone from Victoria Arlen (paralympic swimmer) to a former Bachelorette (Kaitlyn Bristowe). His average placement? Third place. That’s insanely consistent.

'Dancing With the Stars' season 32 winner revealed

And here’s a fun stat: Val is the only pro to win the Mirrorball with both a gymnast and an actress. Not bad for a guy who started as the “other Chmerkovskiy.” Sorry, Maks.

So, Dave… You Were Wrong

Back to my friend Dave. He owes me a drink. Val Chmerkovskiy has won three times: Season 20, Season 23, and Season 32. That’s it. That’s the list.

But here’s the thing: numbers don’t tell the whole story. Val’s legacy isn’t just about trophies; it’s about the way he turns partners into dancers. He taught Zendaya to waltz, Laurie to tango, and Xochitl to fly. That’s worth more than a dozen Mirrorballs, even if Dave thinks otherwise.

So next time someone says “Val won a million times,” you can smile, nod, and hit them with the facts. And if they argue? Just say, “Three times, my friend. And each one was a masterpiece.” Now go watch their freestyles. You’ll thank me.