Valentin Chmerkovskiy

I play basketball, I play soccer, I draw, uh I like girls.

To accomplish something yourself is one thing, but to be able to guide someone else to that moment is even better.

My biggest heartbreak was on Dancing With the Stars,' not winning with Zendaya, honestly.

I get a little ray of sunshine every single day I go to work and that's a blessing in itself.

Victoria Arlen has given me a purpose beyond the dance floor. She has given me an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to make an impact on a very special community and beyond.

Am I really going to be simply remembered as 'that guy from that dance show?

Like many people out there, I have my moments of severe doubt. Insecurity.

I have this inherent kind of want to help someone.

You'll see me at my best is when I'm hopefully serving as a father to someone.

I'm more eager to be a father than a husband, for sure.

I would love to have kids. I can't wait to be a father, had a great father - still have a great father.

I am getting even better with age aesthetically.

I saw Showgirls' when I was 12 years old.

I would love to be partnered with someone who really wants to dance, who really wants to do it well. Because sometimes you get people that sign up for the wrong reasons.

I think what made Dancing With the Stars' the number one show for so long, is that we take our craft seriously, we take our relationships seriously.

I think there's so many shows out there that have pushed the limit on technology and all of that stuff. I think people are much more interested in real good, feel-good stories.

It's crazy how fast life moves.

I believe in my partner always; whether that translates into winning or not that's irrelevant but I believe I'm going to win every season.

Without the hard work and the focus and the drive, you're not going to accomplish much.

When you're on tour and you're more or less attached to the hip with people, you're sharing a bus, you're next to one another at all times, for me it's important to find my own space even it's for an hour of the day just to reset.

For as long as my body allows for it, I want to keep going.

I was at a point in my career where I longed for a bigger stage, a brighter light, and I'm very grateful to 'Dancing With the Stars' for allowing me to become part of that incredible production and incredibly talented cast. I am forever in debt to them for that opportunity.

I'm a 15-time national champion, so for me I had a long, competitive dancing career before joining 'Dancing With the Stars.'

I'm the youngest sibling of a very outspoken, very popular character. As much as I love to share the stage with him and share the narrative with him we we have had our entire lives, I have my own creative outlook on things.

It takes some sacrifice to have a healthy relationship.

The type of person I am, I mean, I'm fairly jealous.

And I was saying that my last name will never, you know, Chmerkovskiy will never sound less foreign, but it doesn't make me less American, less proud or less grateful.

I am the cool uncle!

A big reason why I fell in love with Jenna was how much she cherishes her family. And my family means the world to me. Our families are very different but the common denominator is love.

I think Jenna's going to be an incredible mom. She's already an amazing companion and I love her very much for many reasons - her loyalty and ambition and passion for life in general.

It's more than just dance - it's about a living a healthier, happier life, surrounded by inspiring people.

We grew up with amazing parents.

Our father is a hero for us and so I've always looked at him as somebody that I couldn't wait to be, as well. So I can't wait to be a father, and watching Maks become the father that he is has been very motivating for me, as well.

I'm really proud to be able to share the stage, not just with my siblings, but with incredible artists, probably the best in the industry.

Both my brother and I have only had dance experience with ballroom dancing.

It's just great to be able to teach someone to dance and preach to them how to be better people and enjoy their life to the fullest.

Kissing is like hugging with your lips.

I was someone's younger sibling and I finally have my own voice and my own spotlight.

I'm trying to be the best uncle I can be.

It's funny, I feel like dogs take after their owners and certain mannerisms and the energy that they have.

I've wanted to be a father since I was a teenager.

I am passionate about dance, I grew up in dance, I was a young kid competing in dance, so I have a great perspective on it.

Trying to fuse a Jewish-Russian family with a Mormon family from Utah definitely is a challenge.

I love and appreciate and respect my father. He has paved an incredible way for me, and I want to do the same for others.

'Dancing With the Stars' is not a show about me - it's a show about my partner, it's a show about celebrities that join the show.

My dad had two college degrees but came here and was boxing pizzas. He was willing to pay his dues for the opportunity to live here and breathe this air.

I play a mean game of Connect Four.

From the fans to the hands that move the props to the producers who help me with concepts and wardrobe that helps me with I pour my heart into every single detail, so to see that reciprocated, that support meant the world to me.

I don't physically have the strength to be productive at work following a three-hour sleep. I can't do that.

I mean, I'm a Ukrainian immigrant from Brooklyn who grew up dancing and playing the violin!