Valentin Chmerkovskiy

Last year's Dancing With The Stars champion returns to another season of action on the ballroom dance floor. This time being teamed up with an energetic Tamar Braxton. From the iHeart Radio Studio I'm Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Valentin Chmerkovskiy. Ballroom legend and choreographer Valentin Chmerkovskiy joined the cast of professional dancers on Dancing With the Stars in 2011. Having accomplished all he could in the world of competitive dance, the 14-time US National Champion and two-time World Dance Champion quickly rose to stardom, becoming one of the show's fan-favorites for impeccable performances that showcased not only immense talent and creativity, but an undeniable charisma to match. Valentin is also the first—and only—American to ever win the IDSF World Championship. Since his TV debut, the Ukrainian-born dance champion continues to steal the hearts of fans—both on and off the dance floor. Val has expanded upon his talents as a dancer, choreographer and instructor to create an empire that inspires others through the art of dance. Valentin co-founded Dance With Me Studios, one of the nation’s leading Latin and Ballroom dance studios, where he also lends his expertise as the venue’s Art Director. The success of the first studio ignited a passion for teaching his craft, leading him to develop Dance With Me Juniors, a program he designed to keep kids healthy, focused and active. Val is also a classically trained Violinist, having performed in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center as a concertmaster of the ISO Youth Orchestra. Philanthropy is also important to Valentin who supports numerous children’s and educational charities including Children’s Hospital; and as an ambassador for Pencil’s of Promise, Val has helped build two schools in Ghana. Born in Odessa, Ukraine Valentin emigrated to New York at eight years old and grew up in Brooklyn. He is fluent in Russian and English. Val is currently touring the country with the phenomenally successful Dancing with the Stars: Live!...a 40-city national tour, before returning to television in September for Season 21 of Dancing with the Stars.