'DWTS' Pro Val Chmerkovskiy Speaks Out About Tyra Banks Behind the Cameras

Last fall, Dancing With the Stars introduced Tyra Banks as an executive producer and the new host of the ABC competition series, replacing longtime co-presenters Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews. Now, DWTS is almost ready to debut its 30th season and Tyra will return once again as the show’s host. But this time around, DWTS pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy is hoping her fans and critics alike will get to know her more.
Speaking to PopCulture.com with his brother Maksim Chmerkovskiy, the two-time Mirrorball trophy winner opened up about what it’s really like to work alongside the former America’s Got Talent host. In season 29, Val was partnered with Cheer coach Monica Aldama and the duo ended up in 10th place.
“I mean, look, as a person, [Tyra] is A-plus-plus,” Val told the outlet. “Behind the cameras, she treats everybody with love and respect and I think also we’ve yet to know a lot of Tyra because this was also a Zoom type of season.”
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Val continued: “I think Tyra did a great job. I’m excited to see the job that she does next season after having the opportunity to actually have a real season.”
Season 29 of DWTS faced all kinds of challenges in light of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to getting rid of the in-studio audience, Derek Hough had to step in for longtime judge Len Goodman, who couldn’t fly to Los Angeles from the U.K. to film the show due to travel restrictions. Per Variety, the show also had some casting difficulties last fall as a result of the pandemic.


