meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Squeeze

Val Chmerkovskiy: Let Them Dance

The Squeeze

Taylor Lautner

Taylor Lautner, Tay, The Squeeze, Taylor, Education, Tay Lautner, Health & Fitness, Squeeze, Lemons By Tay

4.61.3K Ratings

🗓️ 14 May 2025

⏱️ 69 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this week’s episode, Dancing With The Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy returns (two years after he and Jenna Johnson were among our very first guests!). Val opens up about growing up in Ukraine until age eight, immigrating to Brooklyn, and what that huge life shift felt like as a kid. He shares when dance first entered his life, how it evolved from a creative outlet to a career, and what it’s like to keep that passion alive when it’s also your job. He talks about working alongside his wife Jenna as pros on Dancing With The Stars, their shared Emmy nomination for a tribute to Len Goodman, and how they navigate turning off “work mode” at home. Val also speaks about how fatherhood has shifted his perspective and deepened his appreciation for his own parents’ sacrifices. Plus, he gives us the inside scoop on filming Hulu’s Got to Get Out, how the experience challenged him, and the friendships he formed with his fellow castmates.


Be sure to follow Valentin https://instagram.com/valentin/!


To email us your questions or share your story, you can reach out to [email protected]


Be sure to rate, review, and follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode! Plus, follow us on all of our socials:


The Squeeze

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesqueeze/

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thesqueezepodcast


Tay Lautner

Instagram: https://instagram.com/taylautner/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrstaylautner

Amazon Storefront https://urlgeni.us/amazon/FDXj7 


Taylor Lautner

Instagram: https://instagram.com/taylorlautner/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlautner


To learn more from The Lemons Foundation, follow https://instagram.com/lemonsbytay/ and visit lemonsbytay.com


Episode Sponsors:


For a limited time, Tempo is offering my listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box! Go to TempoMeals.com/SQUEEZE. Rules and restrictions may apply.


Try your new trusty favorites with an exclusive set for our listeners. New customers can get the Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara and a mini-sized Brilliant Eye Brightener at a special set price with free shipping available at thrivecausemetics.com/THESQUEEZE. Or save more with 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/THESQUEEZE.


Nuuly is a great value at $98 a month for any 6 styles, but right now you can get $28 off your first month of Nuuly when you sign up with the code SQUEEZE. Just go to nuuly.com and enter the code SQUEEZE and sign up to get $28 off your first month. Nuuly Subscription Clothing Rental. Change Your Clothes.


Opill is birth control in your control, and you can use code SQUEEZE for twenty five percent off your first month of Opill at Opill.com.


Head to Target or Target.com to find Cremo’s new line of antiperspirants and deodorants in the Italian Bergamot and Palo Santo scents.


Meet Caudalie's Iconic Vinoperfect Serum. Available at Sephora and Caudalie.com.


Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

The following podcast is a dear media production.

0:03.0

Delusional optimism about the American dream.

0:06.0

There's no comparison, you know, I'd rather be here.

0:09.0

You and Jenna are here.

0:10.0

Really our first guest, season one, and your episode is one of our top ten most viewed episodes.

0:15.0

So we'll see how this one stands next to it.

0:17.0

Proustic elimination.

0:19.0

Like, all right, it's Jenna.

0:20.0

Just have to have Jenna back solo and then we can really tell.

0:23.4

So when did dance start?

0:24.7

In our community, Russian, Ukrainian ballroom dance is the thing.

0:28.3

You watch dancing with the stars.

0:29.5

It's a bunch of Schmikovsky's, Schmikvintze, Subchangos, and a bunch of girls from Utah.

0:35.2

So true.

0:36.3

Jenna's winning moment was a winning moment for me.

0:40.0

She's incredible choreographer, and I am an amazing bystander to her creativity.

0:46.3

Can we get to the show?

0:48.1

Like, you're in a house for 10 days.

0:50.1

Money's going up.

0:51.1

You got to escape.

0:52.1

But Dancing with the Star is not reality TV.

0:58.0

Reality TV is, what did you say to me, Taylor? Look at you.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Taylor Lautner, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Taylor Lautner and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.