Val Chmerkovskiy Sets the Record Straight on DWTS Season 34 Feud Rumors With Alix Earle
After weeks of ballroom buzz, DWTS pro Val Chmerkovskiy breaks his silence on alleged friction with partner Alix Earle, brushing off jealousy talk and setting the record straight. Here’s what he revealed and how it could shape their Season 34 run.
DWTS rumor mill working overtime? Val Chmerkovskiy finally weighed in on those whispers that he and Season 34 partner Alix Earle weren’t vibing — and that he was jealous of other couples. Short version: he says it’s not that deep.
So what actually happened?
In a new chat with Parade, the three-time Dancing with the Stars champ (and yes, 20 seasons deep on this show) said the drama got inflated because more people are watching and talking this season. He’s not mad about the attention — he just isn’t pretending every headline will be accurate.
"I wouldn’t give that much weight that there was some big controversy."
If you’ve been side-eyeing the rehearsal footage and reading into the early stiffness between them, Val has a theory for why that turned into a storyline: his coaching style. He’s a tough-love guy who shows up as himself, not a performative bestie. That can read chilly before the trust kicks in.
- Val says the 'feud' talk is overblown — no big controversy, no secret beef.
- With so many eyeballs on Season 34, there’s more chatter. He likes the attention but knows not all of it will be positive or even accurate.
- His method is firm and authentic. He isn’t going to play fake-friends in the studio just to look cozy on camera.
- It took time for him and Alix to build trust and get comfortable. He stresses mutual respect for each other and for the process.
- What people saw early on was that respect; what they’re seeing now is more warmth as the partnership settled in.
- For context: Val is 39, Ukrainian-American, a three-time DWTS winner, and has stuck around for 20 seasons for a reason.
About those jealousy rumors: he didn’t play into them, and honestly, he didn’t need to. The bigger point he wanted to make is that more viewers means more noise, and he’s fine letting the work speak for itself. Also, if you caught him saying 'Alex' in passing, he’s talking about Alix Earle. Happens.
Bottom line: the speculation made for good social-media fodder, but Val’s stance is simple — the partnership had to earn its groove, and it did. Everything else is just commentary.