Val Chmerkovskiy Retires From Competitive Ballroom Dancing

Last night after dancing for Dancing With Me Soho’s production “Ballroom On Broadway” in Manhattan, Val Chmerkovskiy announced his retirement from competitive dancing. Below is a little of what he wrote in an open letter on Dancebeat.com. A very touching and emotional announcement.

To all I care about,
I’m writing this letter to let you know that I have decided to end my competitive dance career. It truly has been an amazing journey for me. I have been so very blessed with the incredible partners that I had the pleasure of growing and competing with. To them I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Endless gratitude to the coaches that have given me so much, I am forever in debt. The knowledge that was shared with me, throughout the years, is worth more than any trophy I have ever won. The experience I gained from the countless hours of practice and performances, the character I built from the disappointments and failure, alongside with the love I gained for movement, music, and self-expression is something that has shaped me into the man I am today.
I was a 7 year old child when I was dragged against my will into a world of high heels, tight pants, and shiny shirts. I was a 12 year old boy when I went to my first oversees competition (German Open), and was one of only 2 US couples there (my brother being the second). I was a 15 year old adolescent when I won my first IDSF World Championship, and became the first and last American to ever do it… I was a 19 year old “young man” when I had the privilege of lifting the Blackpool trophy, which was an honor I only dreamed about. But as a 23 year old man I was told I couldn’t compete at the Dutch Open. Then as a 24 year old man I was told that I couldn’t compete against some of the best dancers in the world, because of reasons I had no power of influencing. The world I believed in, loved, and was willing to give up my last penny for was changing… and changing for the worse.

You can continue to read his official letter here.

So, what does this mean for Val’s future? Heidi and several of you have speculated in the comment sections that this might mean Val will be coming to Dancing With The Stars Season 13 and that he might be one of the “new faces” that we have been rumored to see. If so, could this be why his brother Maks decided to return for the new season? So many questions surrounding this new Season. Hopefully, we will know more soon and this isn’t the last we see of Val and his dancing career. Pay close attention to the Pro-Watch sticky!