How Tall Is Val On Dancing With The Stars

So, I’m sitting there, crunching on popcorn, watching Dancing with the Stars with my friend Sarah. Suddenly, she squints at the screen, points at Val Chmerkovskiy, and goes, “Okay, but like… how tall is he actually?” I opened my mouth to answer, then realized I had absolutely zero clue. It became the burning question of the night, overshadowing even the paso doble.

Welcome to the rabbit hole, my friend. Because asking “How tall is Val on Dancing With the Stars?” isn’t just about a number on a driver’s license. It’s about perception, about camera angles, and about the glorious, confusing world of celebrity heights. Let’s dive in before the next dance-off starts.

The Official Number (And Why It’s a Little Shaky)

According to the internet—that notoriously reliable source—Val Chmerkovskiy is listed at 5 feet 11 inches. Yes, 5'11". You can find it on his IMDb page, his Wikipedia entry, and probably on a napkin someone swiped from his favorite coffee shop.

But hold on. Let’s look at him next to his wife, Jenna Johnson, who is listed at 5'3". In pictures, they seem closer to a foot apart, which lines up. But then you watch him stand next to a 6-foot tall partner, and suddenly he looks… well, not 5'11". It’s like magic, or a very specific kind of Hollywood math. (Side note: Has anyone ever checked the measuring tape in the DWTS green room? I’m convinced it’s elastic.)

The “Dancing Shoes” Factor

Here’s a fun little truth bomb: Val is almost always wearing dance heels. On the show, male pros frequently wear Cuban heels or character shoes that add a solid 2 to 3 inches. So when you see him gliding across the floor, he might look closer to 6'2". That’s why he towers over petite partners like Normani or Zendaya, yet looks perfectly matched with someone like Simone Biles (who is 4'8").

Don’t even get me started on partner lifts. When he hoists a celebrity up, you lose all sense of scale. Suddenly, he’s a giant. Then he puts her down, and he’s just a very handsome, normal-looking guy. It’s a perceptual rollercoaster.

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How He Stacks Up Against the Competition

Let’s play the comparison game, shall we? Val’s brother, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, is famously listed at 6'1". In side-by-side photos, Val looks a solid inch shorter—maybe more. That would put Val closer to 6'0" in boots, maybe 5'10" barefoot. Meanwhile, Derek Hough claims 5'11" too, but next to Val, they look like the same height. Or do they? (And don’t trust the camera—the DWTS lens is a liar.)

Then there’s Mark Ballas, who is a compact 5'7". Val absolutely dwarfs him. So, in the hierarchy of pro dancer heights, Val sits right in the upper-middle range. Not a giant, not a pixie—just right for swinging a partner around without looking like a human giraffe.

The Authority of “Brown Eyes”

I once heard a fan say, “Val’s height is like his tango—intense, but you can’t quite measure it.” Okay, that’s a bit dramatic, but it captures the vibe. The real answer? He’s probably 5'10" in his socks. The extra inch is the Hollywood rounding-up machine. But honestly? It doesn’t matter. When he dances, he fills the entire ballroom. You’re not measuring inches; you’re measuring charisma.

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If you’re still obsessing over the number, just remember: You’re not alone. Every time he dips a contestant, someone on the couch is wondering the same thing. (And yes, rostrum camera angles add a good 3 inches. Don’t fight me on this.)

So, What’s the Verdict?

If you need a hard, no-nonsense answer: 5'11" if you’re polite, 5'10" if you’re a realist. But the best answer? He’s as tall as the dance requires him to be. One night he’s a confident 6-footer, the next he’s a subtle 5'9" when the waltz needs a gentler frame. It’s all relative.

Next time you watch DWTS, don’t fixate on the height chart. Fixate on how Val makes his partner look like a feather. That’s the real power. And if you ever meet him in person, don’t ask for a photo—just stand next to him and whisper “5'10"?” under your breath. See what happens. I dare you.