Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy recently addressed the impact of low scores on ABC's Dancing With the Stars during Season 35. The professional dancers emphasized prioritizing judge feedback over numerical rankings while navigating high-pressure competition and personal lives.
Why high talent levels are driving lower scores in Season 35
In the competitive ballroom of ABC's Dancing With the Stars, the margin for error has never been thinner. Jenna Johnson, 32, recently addressed the reality of receiving low scores, suggesting that the current cast's elevated skill level has raised the bar for both dancers and viewers alike.
As the report notes, Johnson believes that because the talent level is so high, the audience has developed a hunger for higher scores. This creates a unique tension where technical perfection is expected, yet the judges' critiques remain the primary metric for growth. Johnson emphasized that she and Val Chmerkovskiy have committed to respecting judge feedback above all else, treating the numbers as secondary to the actual instruction provided.
This shift in focus mirrors a broader trend in reality television where the "journey" of improvement is increasingly marketed over the raw statistics of winning. For veteran dancers like Johnson and Chmerkovskiy, the goal is to implement critiques immediately rather than becoming emotionally attached to a score between one and 10.
Managing the juggle between Grey's Anatomy and The Rookie
The physical and mental demands of Season 35 extend far beyond the ballroom floor, as many participants are balancing intense professional schedules. Johnson highlighted the dedication of her partner, Harry, who is currently working full-time on the hit series Grey's Anatomy while committing his remaining hours to the competition.
Val Chmerkovskiy noted similar professional pressures within his own partnership, mentioning that his partner is currently working on The Rookie. Chmerkovskiy praised the resilience required to "trust the process" while maintaining a high-profile television career. The ability to transition from the high-stakes environment of a television set to the disciplined training of the ballroom is a feat few can manage without significant burnout.
A Fabuloso partnership fueled by a 3-year-old's messes
Outside of the competition, Johnson and Chmerkovskiy are leveraging their personal lives to connect with audiences through a new brand partnership. The couple has teamed up with Fabuloso, a move that Johnson describes as an organic fit for her family life, which includes a 3-year-old toddler.
According to the report, Johnson shared that her struggle with severe OCD makes a clean, fresh-smelling home essential for managing stress. the partnership highlights how the couple uses cleaning as a form of family decompression, turning household chores into a shared activity involving music and dance. By framing cleaning as a "family activity," the couple effectively bridges the gap between their professional personas and their roles as parents.
How Andy Richter's theme announcements will test the new pairings
While the themes for Season 35 have been officially revealed, several questions remain regarding how these specific categories will influence the scoring volatility discussed by Johnson. Andy Richter recently announced the full list of themes during an episode of the Official DWTS Podcast, following the season's two-night premiere.
It remains to be seen whether these upcoming themes will favor the technical precision of the veteran dancers or provide a platform for the high-energy performers to pull ahead in the scores . additionally, the source does not specify how the judges might adjust their scoring criteria to account for the increased talent level that Johnson identified as a primary driver for the current scoring climate.
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