Pod Meets World – “Dancing with…Val Chmerkovskiy” (October 3, 2025)

Host: Danielle Fishel
Guest: Val Chmerkovskiy
Summary by: Podcast Summarizer

Episode Overview

This episode of Pod Meets World’s “Danielle with the Stars” spotlights the behind-the-scenes pressure, vulnerability, and artistry of competing on Dancing with the Stars—from the perspective of both celebrity guest and seasoned pro. Danielle Fishel, now a contestant on DWTS, interviews dance legend Val Chmerkovskiy. With three Mirrorball trophies and over 20 seasons on the ballroom hit, Val shares insight on shocking eliminations, resilience in the entertainment industry, partnership dynamics, and his creative pursuits beyond dance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shocking Elimination Reactions

• Danielle opens by discussing recent surprises on DWTS, specifically Lauren’s unexpected elimination.
• Val expresses empathy toward the pros:
  • “My empathy was more immediate with Brandon… This isn’t a reflection on his professional capabilities but rather, you know, things that potentially are out of his control.” (05:02)
• On supporting eliminated partners/pros:
  • He describes the importance of separating professional integrity from outcomes that are out of their hands and how this is especially tricky in highly competitive and public settings.

2. Pressure, Vulnerability, and Decompression

• Both discuss the emotional highs and lows of live performing, industry validation, and the immediate feedback loop of social media.
• Val on social media & pressure:
  • “Before, you used to be anxious about being validated once a week… Now you are seeing direct validation or lack of in every post that you post.” (06:33)
• Coping mechanisms: Val decompresses after shows with comfort food (pasta, garlic bread – “Give me the Olive Garden special.” (10:06)), and shares that adrenaline and worry about the next week keeps him up at night.

3. Celebrating Partnerships and Performance

• On shaping partners’ stories for the audience:
  • Val praises pro Emma Slater for “curating [Andy Richter’s] story” and says a pro’s job is to love and connect with people. (12:28)
• What makes a memorable dance:
  • “I’d rather have someone’s favorite [dance] of the night [than the best]… I do it for the people, I don’t do it for the scores.” (13:53)

4. Experience vs. Growth Spirit on DWTS

• They discuss judge Carrie Ann’s comment about “two camps”—those with prior dance experience and those growing on the show.
• Val argues that the show is about connection and relatability, not technical perfection:
  • “There’s charm in the imperfection. There is relatability in the imperfection… I try to also embrace [my partner’s] imperfections because I think that’s what makes that performance even more entertaining, rather than clean her into numb.” (16:04)

5. Val & Alex Earle: Partnership Energy

• Addressing rumor-mill speculation due to Val’s sarcasm and social media edits, he clears the air:
  • “No, I don’t just like her. I am really proud of her, grateful to be her partner, teacher… I’m all in.” (21:02)
• Discusses the professional uncertainty felt now:
  • “Every season feels very similar to how it feels for you. I don’t know how many more seasons I got.” (21:52)

6. Legacy, Family, and the Chmerkovskiys’ Dance Studio Empire

• Val reminisces about learning from his brother Maksim (“Max”) and their immigrant story—how their parents started over in the US and supported their pursuits.
• Val’s perspective:
  • “I dedicated my whole life to pursuing this craft, and I was already comfortable with being broke… I wasn’t driven by the financial success or the vanity of being in Hollywood.” (24:27)
• Now he and his family run 14 dance studios, helping adults use dance for healing and community.

7. Venturing Outside His Comfort Zone: Standup Comedy

• Val discusses tackling standup, comparing its nerves to live ballroom:
  • “It’s definitely more terrifying than dancing in front of millions of people… I wanted to do something by myself. When I go out there, I can’t rely on anybody. It’s just me, the mic, and that’s it.” (33:59–36:48)
• He used a chance conversation with a stand-in comedian at DWTS rehearsal to test the waters, and found the experience “exhilarating.”

8. Partnership with Zendaya (Season 16) and the Subjective Nature of Competition

• Fans still cite their second-place finish as a “crime against humanity” but Val reflects:
  • “If you paid attention to that season, you knew that Kelly Pickler was killing it. And Derek did an incredible job… It was incredibly disappointing… but seeing those isolated performances doesn’t show you the big picture.” (41:04–41:51)

9. Val’s Teaching Philosophy

• On being a pro/teacher:
  • “I want to inspire you. I want to give you the tools, and then you have to pick up these tools and do them. And that’s the difference between a teacher and a coach.” (44:59)
  • “My favorite part about teaching is being of service to this person… I’m here at your service. You only get this thing once.” (46:12–46:27)

10. The Double Cartwheel Saga with Alex Earle

• Danielle requests the real story behind their viral, failed rehearsal move:
  • “It was Alex’s dream. It turned into my nightmare…” (46:51)
  • Val explains how Alex’s determination drove them to repeatedly attempt ambitious choreography, risking injury but feeding their performance energy.
• Takeaway: The show is about striving for moments that seem impossible and pushing each other’s boundaries.

11. Val’s Fashion Influences

• His style is shaped by his multicultural background, love of both hip-hop and classical music, and love of the “anything goes” modern fashion landscape (50:49).

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Index

• “My empathy was more immediate with Brandon. Obviously, I feel bad for Lauren, but there’s such a huge responsibility that is put on the pro.” – Val Chmerkovskiy (05:02)
• “You become your own biggest competition. When people are like, ‘who’s your biggest competition?’… The bigger, more honest answer is that it’s yourself.” – Val (10:42)
• “You gotta really love people… and Emma’s one of those pros that really is emotionally invested in her partners.” – Val (12:44)
• “There’s charm in the imperfection. There is relatability in the imperfection.” – Val (16:04)
• “I do it for the people. I don’t do it for the scores.” – Val (13:57)
• “Every season feels very similar to how it feels for you. I don’t know how many more seasons I got…” – Val on DWTS job uncertainty (21:52)
• “I just love storytelling. I love comedy. I think it’s a great vehicle for people to express their trauma in a digestible way.” – Val on why he tried standup (35:10)
• “I want to inspire you…that’s the difference between a teacher and a coach.” – Val (44:59)
• “You’re not successful on the show unless you have moments like that. Any time I was successful it’s when I said yes to some crazy thing, and we pushed through and did it.” – Val on embracing risky choreography (49:55)

Notable/Memorable Moments & Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Topic | |----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:42 | Val’s reaction to Lauren’s elimination – empathy for the pro partners | | 06:29 | Coping with partner Jenna’s elimination and entertainment industry pressure | | 09:54 | Post-show decompression routines (pasta, late-nights, “Olive Garden special”) | | 12:28 | Pros shaping the narrative for their celebrities; Emma as “magician” | | 13:53 | “I do it for the people. I don’t do it for the scores.” | | 16:04 | Embracing imperfections vs. striving for technical perfection | | 21:52 | The uncertainty of a pro’s career longevity on DWTS | | 24:27 | The Chmerkovskiys' immigrant hustle; dance as purpose vs. financial reward | | 33:48 | Val’s standup comedy journey | | 41:04 | Losing with Zendaya – perspective on competition’s subjectivity | | 44:59 | Teaching philosophy (“inspire, don’t force”) | | 46:51 | The “double cartwheel” rehearsal accident with Alex Earle | | 49:55 | Importance of pushing boundaries and creating memorable DWTS moments | | 50:49 | Fashion influences: multicultural roots, dance, hip-hop, classical, embracing “anything goes”|

Tone & Energy

This episode is a blend of heartfelt, honest reflection and witty, warm camaraderie. Danielle’s curiosity and humor balance Val’s humility, candidness, and frequent self-deprecating asides. The conversation is brisk but genuine, filled with supportive asides and mutual admiration.

Conclusion

For fans of DWTS or “Boy Meets World,” this episode offers both a look under the hood of competitive reality TV and insight into the human stories driving these viral dance spectacles. Val’s openness to growth, honest self-assessment, and love for creativity shine throughout—whether wrestling with defeat, trying standup comedy, teaching, or picking the next outfit. The chemistry with Danielle Fishel solidifies the show’s blend of nostalgia, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes candor.

Best for: Fans of dance, reality TV, personal growth stories, and anyone invested in the creative journeys that fuel entertainment’s most beloved moments.