After Ciara Miller said she’s been campaigning to land Val Chmerkovskiy as her partner for Dancing With the Stars season 35, the longtime pro says he feels “humbled” and grateful—while reminding fans he isn’t the one who decides casting.
Val Chmerkovskiy didn’t dodge the romance of it—he just made it clear he knows exactly where the power sits.
The Dancing With the Stars favorite. now 40. was recently announced as a contestant for season 35 of ABC’s hit competition series. On Friday (June 5). while attending the 33rd Annual Race to Erase MS Gala alongside his wife and fellow DWTS pro Jenna Johnson. he reacted to Ciara Miller’s public wish to be paired with him.
“I’m so humbled because I saw the Ciara video and there are things that I’m not allowed to disclose at this point in the off season,” Val told E! News. “So, I felt bad. I wanted to say thank you because what a huge compliment it is to be shouted out that way.”
He paused for gratitude before drawing a line around what he can and can’t control. “So, thank you,” he said, before adding that he isn’t calling the shots. “I am not the one in charge of casting.”
Ciara, a Summer House star, first turned her attention to Val in May during E!’s Met Gala livestream. “I’ve been campaigning for Val,” she said then. “I don’t know if they hear me, but yeah, sending out some emails, putting my word in. We’ll see where everyone wants to place me.”
Val’s response lands with extra weight because Ciara Miller’s desire wasn’t just casual—she’d already made it clear he was at the top of her wish list for pro partners, and now he’s stepping into the ballroom in a way that keeps the conversation alive.
Ciara is also one of the first two celebrities announced for Dancing With the Stars season 35. with more celebrity contestants rumored to be added. In the middle of all that anticipation. Val’s message is simple: the compliment is real. the timing is still unfolding. and casting remains out of his hands.
Val Chmerkovskiy Ciara Miller Dancing With the Stars season 35 Jenna Johnson Race to Erase MS Gala ABC Summer House