Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy: Transformation from the inside out

Episode Date: December 21, 2021

You’ve seen her dance her butt off on your TV screens and now she’s here on the mic with Kaitlyn to talk about all things Dancing with the Stars and beyond! As someone who made history with JoJo Siwa as the first same-sex couple in the competition, Jenna shares how her relationship with her first female partner evolved as JoJo went from barely being able to do a pushup to lifting Jenna on the stage for the world to see. Jenna had the opportunity to watch JoJo fall in love with her body on and off the stage, and opens up about how she herself has been through similar body image struggles and how she needed to transform from the inside out to become who she is today. Kaitlyn wraps up the pod with vino questions, advice for going on tour, and of course, we get an amazing confession from Jenna. HYUNDAI - Find out more at HyundaiUSA.com.  GEICO - Go to Geico.com, get a quote, and see how much YOU could save. It’s GEICO-easy! USANA - Visit USANA.com to see each Active Nutrition product for yourself and sign up as a Preferred Customer at checkout to save 10% on your Active Nutrition order. OXICLEAN - Work your magic with Oxiclean White Revive! Visit myoxiclean.com for cleaning tips and tricks. QUICKVUE - Pick up a QuickVue ® At-Home OTC COVID-nineteen Test over-the-counter from your local retailer. CHINET - Chinet Brand makes premium disposable tableware for all of life’s gatherings. Visit mychinet.com to find out more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Hey, be on the mic, turn it up, let's go. Hey, ramen, Pino, ready for the show. Everyone's welcome, so come on in because OTV, it's about to begin. Hey. Welcome to Off the Vine. I'm your host, Caitlin Bristow. I am so excited for my guest today. Her and her dance partner made Dancing with the Stars show history for being the first same-sex dance team.

Yes. Jen and Johnson and Jojo Siwa had us at the edge of our seats all season long as they killed their dance routines. Now, unfortunately, she and Jojo did not win this year, but they were so close. They were runners up. We find out if it demotivates Jenna to get runner up twice or if it lights a little fire under her bum, but she was very open in sharing that it obviously was a bummer since it's been two years in a row for her now, but that this season was so rewarding for her in so many different ways. She talks about all of the new challenges and fears she faced dancing with a female partner, the additional training that they had to do.

how Jojo went from no muscle to kill in the lifts and how dancing with Jojo has literally changed her life. She gives us quite a show with her confession as well as she gives me some great advice for going on tour. And I'm even more excited now, to be honest. Hope you enjoy my chat with Jenna. Look at your new haircut. You look stunning. Thanks. Look at you. I just looked at my reflection. And I was like, Hey, I'm like, I'm such a mess right now. I feel like this is not, I don't want to even put this into the universe, but in the last like two hours, I just keep feeling like I'm like coming down

with a cold. And I'm like, no, because I have a show on Sunday and then obviously coming out to LA for rehearsals. And I'm like, not now, Caitlin, not now. I literally am just getting over a cold. Like the season finished, kicked my bud. I got so sick. Didn't have COVID. I I've invested four times, but, like, congested. I'm coughing. It's just like a disaster. Isn't it crazy when your body kind of knows? Because I've been going, going, going to. And it's like your body waits. And it's like, oh, you're home now and you're done what you need to do. Let's crash for a minute. No joke. So we finished the show on Monday. We went to GMA on Tuesday. Wednesday, I started my period and got sick all in one day. It was amazing. Oh, yeah. That sounds like a really great time. That sounds like something that would happen to me. It's like when it rains, it pours, especially with the period for me. Yep. She said, we're going to rage. Oh, my gosh. Who was I just talking about this? Oh, Tasia. We were like, oh, when Tasia, myself and Michelle all like synced up on our periods when we were filming together because that's, is a real thing. Isn't that wild? Jojo really threw my cycle for a loop.

Like, I'm consistent. I have everything, like, logged, you know? I would, I was 14 days late twice being partnered with her. And I would start the same day she started. How interesting. That, okay, I know. Woman's bodies always, like, never cease to amaze me with how powerful they are in things that they like, like my girlfriend, one of my best friends just had a baby.

and like if she hears a baby cry her milk starts producing and I'm like women's bodies are miracles yeah yeah they are that's so crazy oh my gosh well congratulations on everything it's so frustrating when you get that close two years in a row and one of my first questions was going to be you does coming in short two years in a row does it demotivate you or does it actually like push you a little bit harder oh man I never expected to get second twice in a row, you know, but then I think it's also like perspective. You know, I could be like, oh, I was a runner up two times in a row. Or I made the finals and I got second and was that close twice, which is so hard because there's so many people on the show that would die to be in a final two years in a row, you know?

Yeah. But it definitely hurts. Like you're sitting there, you're looking at the trophy. it's only you and one other couple and you're just like praying they say your name but honestly I think I was more bitter last season no offense I was like so devastated but this season I was equally like

sad and disappointed but I think it was more disappointed for Jojo just because I know she wanted it so bad but I think I was so content because I literally had the time of my life this season it was everything and more than I expected it to be. And I was just like, every day was a dream come true for the past 12 weeks that I'm fine. You know what? Like, I'm fine.

I feel like all of the dances that we did just made an impact on me and so many people. So I just felt more content this season being a runner up. I feel that. That's understandable. I mean, I myself was inspired by you too at home. I was rooting for you both each week. And I really thought you both were going to win. Like I was like,

Imana's been so entertaining to watch. Yeah. Of course, both deserve it. And like, of course, whoever's in the final two always feels like they both deserve it. But I was like,

you know, actually both choreography was just insane this season. But just what you and Jojo accomplished together and the chemistry and the power and the like, everything that went into every dance gave me goosebumps and I was like moved after it. Like, I was truly like, it's, I mean, I always say, you know, crazy things happen when you get powerful women in one room. And you, it was just like the two of you on stage, there's something so magical about it. And it was so new to obviously the Dancing with the Stars world.

But I remember Derek saying something to me that two female pros or partners like are paired together in other countries. Is that true? Yeah. And it's just new to dance with the stars. Yeah. So in the ballroom world, same-sex couples aren't a foreign thing. There's competitions with categories where you can dance with the same gender. But obviously, very new to the United States dancing with the stars. Right. You know, I think they did it in Australia two years ago or last year with two guys. In the UK right now, they have two guys that have made it, I think, almost to the end. Oh, incredible. But it was, you know, it was crazy. It, I was, I was, was so absolutely freaked out going into it, just because I didn't know what to expect, what on earth I was doing. Like, I don't have training, dancing with another woman, you know? And so I just felt a lot of pressure. I put a lot of pressure on myself because I knew how much

this meant to the show, how much this meant to the community. And I was just like, I am not qualified for this one bit. And then you proved yourself wrong. Well, I hope so. But I honestly, I have to give a lot of credit to Jojo because I think we both went into it just being like, let's experiment every week. Let's not get sold on something just in case it doesn't work. But I think we took each week just day by day of like, what can we accomplish this week in this style? But honestly, I think it was just so rewarding every week to be like, we did that. And we accomplished that. And it hasn't ever been done before.

and we did that. I have to tell you something that's really funny. I just remembered, too. So this is when I knew something might be up. In last season, when they had a standing

for the final four, Neve and I were on the left and we were on the stairs. During dress rehearsal this season, they were like, all right, you guys, this is where your placement's going to be for the, like,

final ceremony. I was in the legit same spot as last season. I was like, no. Oh, and everything gets in your head at that point. Like, it's, you're like, Tyra said this, and she could mean this. And she said it's the most shocking season. So maybe it's not going to be us, or maybe it will because it's two females.

Like, you just go through every scenario in your head. So you're like, oh, I'm in the same spot. Yeah. So you can see pictures of last season and this season of where I'm standing for the final ceremony. And I was like, no. Do you think there's something to that? honestly i don't i don't know probably not i was if there was they're going to switch that up next season whoever next season is standing on the stairs watch out you're getting second

that's actually so scary that was i mean it's so it's so funny watching you this season and forgetting that you're someone i competed against last season because well first it never truly feels like a competition until the very end then you're like oh yeah right this is like cutthroat and And then this season watching you, I was like, I don't know, I guess I was just so, I was inspired by you last season. It was just so different to watch because I knew that you felt pressure. I knew that you probably had all these new challenges that you wanted to, you know, prove to, like you said, the community, to dancing with the stars, to yourself, to Jojo. And so I just knowing you as a person, I'm like, oh, I knew you were going to feel pressure,

but you just blew all of us away. And I just, how did you get Jojo to do those lifts? Like, you're used to the one being taught how to lift so that, like, for you to be lifted, did that help you teach Jojo? It was funny because literally she, an hour ago just texted me a video of our first time ever trying a lift. It was in week three, we had Argentine tango. And I don't think I gave her a choice.

Honestly, I was like, we're doing this. We've got to compete. Iman is throwing Daniela to the ceiling and down. Like, you know, we have to do something that's exciting and that's going to, like, keep up with all of these other really great competitors. So, yeah, she just sent me a video and she's like, it's so funny because at the time, I thought this was really great. And it was a little bit janky, like we're like stumbling through it. But during the weeks, she got stronger and we just kind of went for it and through things. I I poor girl because she did not sign up for the show being like oh I'm going to lift this chick all season it's going to be super fun um but we had to and we did and I'm so glad we did because I think for us it was really fun and rewarding and like oh we did that and it's not like there were any really really crazy lifts but I tried to lift jojo one week and I was like I'm a terrible guy I'm so weak I can't even do it

That's what she looked. Well, and I got to see like some of it firsthand. She is incredibly strong. I mean, don't get me started on your muscles. But like just watching her, you think those weren't like the most insane lifts? Because I was like, how is this happening? I, for two girls, they were pretty insane. Yeah.

But I'm really, really proud of her because, oh, man, she just, she's the best. But when she started the show, day one, I was kind of evaluating her. you know, like feeling out her frame, feeling her as a partner, a mover. And I could tell she had, and I would say this to her face, she knows, she had no muscle whatsoever, like no muscle tone, no engagement. She just didn't have any strength. Yeah. And so I was like, can you do any pushups?

And she tried to do one for me. And it was the saddest pushup I've ever seen. And she, like, just crumbled to the ground. And so I was like, you know what, Jojo, I'm going to have a goal for us. Every day, we are going to warm up. and we're going to do push-ups and planks. So the first week, we started with, like, one push-up. Wow.

Next week, we got to, like, five push-ups, like strong, nose to the ground, and we started with a one-minute plank. By the end of the season, we were consistently, I would say, for the last, like, at least six weeks, we did 35 push-ups every day and three-minute plank. What? And we never missed a day. So I saw this freaking girl transformed,

right before my eyes and then you saw her get like really confident totally and excited about her body and this muscle and the strength and so she'd be like let's try another lift and I was like let's do it that's so fun for you that she was like that because that I mean one that shows the commitment level of a partner and you don't get that every season and too it's like like it it feels like your fire and passion as well to get more creative even yeah and just Like, I've always been so obsessed with, like, fitness and my body and just, like, strength and feeling good. And I saw her fall in love with her body and really transform.

And now she's, like, working out with a trainer every day. She's, like, a snack right now. She's, like, snatched up. And I'm just, I'm so happy and proud of her. And it was amazing to see. It was awesome. All right, you guys. So Hyundai questioned everything to create the best Tucson ever.

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And she transformed so much as her body, her mind. her overall confidence, like she almost grew up in front of our eyes on dancing with the stars. And then she went into this red carpet moment with her hair down and her black gown. And I was like, honey. I know. Yeah, it was really cool to watch. It's hilarious because if you go back to like week one of our costumes, she was like very insecure at the time. And she had full rain. I was like, you know what, I'm going to give her week one to like choose our outfits. Yeah. We were splashes of color, like so many sequins. It was a lot.

Very Jojo-esque. Yes. And then we started to trust Jenna. And she started to take some wrists. And by the end, like, we were wearing shear. We were wearing spaghetti straps, low Vs, low backs. And I was just like, yes. And then it was our last week and she was going to the AMAs.

And she told me she's like, I have two options for the AMAs. I have this like sequin jumpsuit that I've had made that's like very jojo or my mom found this like black see-through dress. And I was like, girl, this is your Billy Eilish moment. Like this could be a moment for you, a defining moment. And so she was like, oh, okay, but I think I'm going to wear a sneaker. And I was like, if you ruin this moment with a freaking sneaker, I'm going to kill you. Don't do it.

So I actually, I went, I texted her mom and I was like, hey, would you be okay if I got Jojo her first pair of Christian Lou Baton's because I think she needs them and like this is a moment and she was like she texted me her mom's the best she was like you don't know how long I've been waiting for this day so I went and I got her two pairs and she ended up wearing them that night and it was just I mean I remember seeing the pictures and I got like emotional looking at her yeah and you could just see just like this about her and she held her head high and I was just like oh man well yeah you were such a part of that transformation for her you know you spent every day with her and building her confidence and showing her like

another side to her that she probably didn't even know existed and falling more in love with herself and so you two probably formed like such a crazy bond because you already do that as partners and dance like through every season of dancing with the stars you get so close with your partner and you have like this relationship with them and it can be like ups and downs and highs and lows and all these things, but it can unlock some like some magical power. It totally was. And I think too, just being two girls, you know, we could really relate. We could connect.

There was just a more emotional level to our partnership. And I think because we had that friendship. But yeah, it was, it was amazing. It was awesome. I never would have expected that this would have been the outcome of. of me saying yes to dancing with another girl. And again, I'm just, I'm so happy I did. Did you know that you were, or I guess when do you guys find out the cast?

I was approached. I basically was called by the producers and they said, hey, listen, this was before. Anything had happened. Any of the cast had been announced yet. And they just said, you know, we're doing something really exciting this year. and we are going to have the first ever same-sex pairing. And for some reason, I was like, oh, it's going to be two guys. This is incredible.

Right. So I just thought maybe they were going to ask my opinion about, like, choreography or, like, what I felt about it or, you know, something like that. And I was like, that is amazing. And they're like, and it's going to be two girls. And I was like, oh, I think I see where this is going. Yeah. So they were like, you know, we want to know, would you be up for this?

And just without hesitation, I said yes, not knowing what I was doing or if I could do it, but I just said yes. And then we got off the phone. Fear started to set in real quick. I started like hyperventilating. And then like, oh my goodness, what is everyone going to think? Like, am I going to be able to deal with the haters all season and everyone's opinions and the controversy of it all? but then I met Jojo a few days later and I was just like this is all worth it she's gonna be worth it you know did you click right away like when you met she opened up right away to you and this whole

experience as well I think we were super excited for like a good week week and a half but I don't think she fully trusted me and was like open and vulnerable Jojo with me until about I would say end of week two going into week three that's when it really transformed for us i made her cry week two and that's when that's when we really we really connected cry wait happy tears or sad

tears or scared tears it was i think like realization tears she came in to rehearsal and she was she had like a little leotard underneath but she had this massive baggie shirt on and I was just like oh Jojo I cannot see anything like I can't see your body it's not happening for me I need you to take off the baggy shirt no I can't do that I was like no you're gonna take it off I can't see your body ballroom is all about body movement we're doing the cha cha I need to see your body I swelling up and I was like oh my gosh oh my gosh this happening I've never again I've been with guys I've never had a partner cry before so I was like oh this is happening full tears and i was like okay do we need to talk about some things and she just opened up to me

about some fears about her body and you know how she felt about looking in the mirror so she took off the shirt for me she had on this cute little body suit we held hands we went in front of the mirror and we said some like affirmations because again i'm also a girl yeah i know what it's like to have body dysmorphia to like be fearful of your body to be the most critical of your body especially probably as a dancer being in front of the mirror all the time you look at yourself all day yeah you know and like when i'm on my period i feel fat and bloated and all i want to do is go eat chocolate and snuggle on the couch you know so i i know what it's like to be in that position and to be young and she has this platform with millions of people following her looking at her

commenting about every part of her and so I just wanted her to feel heard understood and then I wanted her to be able to trust me yeah you know that I wasn't going to put her in a situation that would make her look dumb stupid you know I I only wanted her to succeed and to look beautiful yeah yeah and you did a really great job with that and I think that that was a real transformation week for us wow what do you think was the most challenging part of not dancing with a male start of the season. Honestly, I think the hardest part was, this is going to sound weird, but I'm like a very sexual person, not sexual, but like, sensual person.

And I love being able to have that chemistry with a guy and being able to tell stories. And like, that's what I'm comfortable and confident doing. And I didn't know if I was going to be able to have that same chemistry with a female. Thankfully, I think we were able to pull it out, but it wouldn't be what I would do with a guy, you know, and like dips and melts and, like, touching and feeling. Like, I don't know why it's so much easier with a guy for me, but it just is. And, yeah. Well, probably because it's just the norm for you. Yes.

I mean, that's what I'm used to. And that's why I fell in love with ballroom dancing is, like, that connection and, like, that male-feeling. relationship. But on the flip side, I think it was really eye-opening to me that, like, you can still create those moments and it doesn't necessarily have to be in that, like, typical relationship.

Very true. And that was scary for me. That was so scary, Caitlin. I'm like, I am someone that, like, loves to play it safe. I'm, I love my routine. I'm, like, consistent. Like, I know what I look good doing. And I'm going to do that. I'm going to do it really

well. So this was just, like, Like, everything was foreign and new and scary. But I'm, I am such a better dancer. Yeah. Choreographer, partner. And, yeah, I'm really grateful that I had the opportunity to, like, push myself. Well, I definitely saw chemistry. Like, when I was there, you, it was a danceoff between you two and someone else.

Yes, us and Val, and we had the freaking Rumba. Oh, yeah. Yeah, you and Val, and it was the Rumba. That, I was like, there is, like, just as much passion and chemistry there. And I think that was probably nice for America to see, too, that there can be that passion and that level

of intimacy between two women. Do you think they'll ever do two men on Dancing with the Stars? I think so, and I hope they do. Yeah. As weird as it sounds, I think two females was an easier transition. It was still, like, wild, but I think it

wasn't as abrasive of just jumping into two guys right away. But I think, I hope that Jojo and I proved that like it can still be beautiful and artistic and well received. And I would love to see two guys do it. It's going to be a completely different energy, but I think it's going to be magical for sure. Yeah, I agree. I would like to see that too. I actually have one last question for myself before I get into questions for my listeners. But if you didn't dance for a living, what would you do? It's really sad. I

I started dancing when I was three and I was that kid that like didn't want to do anything else but dance because I knew that that was going to be my life and I kept telling my parents that and they were like all right yeah whatever but I have like no other hobbies because all I did was dance growing up

and so I feel like since I've become an adult I've had to figure out like what are my interest what do I like but I would say that always growing up I was fascinated with the human body. And so if I weren't a dancer, I would be a forensic anthropologist because I also love like murder investigations. Yes. I'm a psychopath. Like so scary. A lot of us are. A lot of us are. I'm so scary. But like I love putting together a story of what happened with like

bones and a body. And it's I think it's so fascinating. I just love it. Well, that's cool. I love that you like have thought about that because I mean, you can tell from your Instagram that you do your very passionate about the human body about fitness. All right, your health goals shouldn't focus around a number on a scale or fitting into a certain pants size, okay? What matters is that you feel good and have the energy to live your best life. And that's why Usana Health Sciences created Usana Active Nutrition. This new lineup is all about self-acceptance and promoting a positive health journey

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out questions on Off the Vine for the listeners to ask questions, we heard like, like Kelly Osborne on the podcast. And like what you had the most questions out of anybody. Everybody had so many questions for you like out of anybody. That's my day. Oh my gosh. Yeah. So we had to only pick a few. But I mean, so many people obviously wanted to know how Joe was as a partner. So you can just get that out of the way because Errol loves Joe. I absolutely adored grocery store Joe while we were together. He was, and again, I will say this straight to his face, the worst I've ever come across. He knows that.

Yeah, the worst answer, but this guy, knowing that, showed up every day to rehearsal on time with a positive attitude, did any and everything I told him. And we had a blast. Like, we hated performing live because we knew we were going to get annihilated, but we had such a great time together. We also have the same birthday. So I feel like we share similar energies and just. he's going to be somebody in my life forever.

And I love that guy. Yeah, he's amazing. Freaking Joe. He's the best. He's so funny. And second of all, vinos are obsessed with your fitness level, like I was saying. So a lot of people want to know exactly. Like, obviously you dance all the time.

Yeah. But like for me personally, when I was dancing every day on that show, I was like, there's no chance in hell I'm working out after this or on a like day where you're sitting there on your Pilates machine and your fast. get the gym and you're just like very passionate about it so everyone wants to know what your workout routine is and what jena eats in a day got it i don't know if it's because my body's just used to it but for me dance isn't a workout like it is because there's cardio involved and you know it's long rehearsal days but i feel like for my body i have to work out other muscle

groups to maintain it or to have some muscle, you know, like I'm not lifting people. And so I like to be able to still have strength. Right. And I think I really got into fitness. I would say now it's been about like six years. But I wasn't always the healthiest person and always in shape. I would say that I was probably 40, 35 pounds heavier than I am now. I didn't have a healthy lifestyle. And a lot of it started with mental health, that kind of then transitioned into me having this like epiphany moment of, I need to get healthy from the inside out to thrive. And so I really dove in to this health and fitness journey and I fell in love with it and realized that when I do work out, I release endorphins that make me happy, that make me smile, that keep me motivated and

excited. So yeah, I love Pilates. I got into one of my friends from Utah moved to L.A. during the pandemic. And he was like, listen, do you want to do Pilates? I'll bring the machine to you. And I was like, get your buns over here. We're doing it ASAP. So we kind of started calling it Poolside Pilates. I love Pilates. I love going to F-45. I just found out about F-45 this year. And it's changed my life. I think I really feel like an athlete. doing it. What's F-45? Do we have this in Nashville? I wonder. You definitely have it in Nashville. What? It's everywhere. What is it? It's an app. You can look up all the locations near you. I'm telling you it is the absolute best. It's 45 minutes only. It's like a workout class. It's co-ed

so you can bring Jason. Yeah. And it is like basically every day is a different workout. And we definitely have them everywhere. It's consistent. Oh, you have them everywhere. I'm telling you it will kick your butt, but you will leave being like, I just smash that. And now I can eat whatever I want. I love that. I love my life.

But yeah, I, for a while there, while I was in this transformation period, I was pretty aware of what I was eating. I like to call it nutrition, not diet, because I feel like diet is really restrictive. I hear you. But I, you know, I was just trying to eat all. clean foods and not a lot of processed foods. And I eliminated sugar for about 30 days, which reset my body. It was like a nice little cleanse because I'm a dessert freak. Oh, see, I'm a wine freak, which is sugar. I love sugar. And so I eliminated it for 30 days, really reset my body. And now I don't limit myself to anything. I eat whatever I want, when I want. I'm trying. I'm good about portion control.

but I think portion control is easier than like I can't have carbs or I can't have dairy unless you need to not have dairy. But I just think that the second you start limiting yourself, you're going to then have these like regressions where you overindulge and then you feel guilty about it. You know what I mean? So I'd rather just be able to eat whatever I want, feel good, but just be aware of how much I eat of it. Yeah. And I think it's, I mean, intuitive eating is such a thing. I did a whole course on it and like what makes you feel good. What food fuels your body? What does like working out doesn't make you release your endorphins. Some people actually like one of my girlfriends, I went to a hormone specialist and her body actually like produced too much of something else. And she was told to not work out for like a certain amount of time to reset her hormones. And that actually made her feel better. So when my listeners listen to podcasts like this, I love women.

you say things like I call it nutrition instead of diet and it's works for your body because everyone kind of has to figure out what works for them. I remember obsessing over magazines and I remember actually Julian Huff. They like probably took two seconds of what she said in an interview and made it sound like that's all she eats in a day every day. And it was like four almonds and an orange. And so I remember thinking like, okay, that's what I have to eat to get a body like hers and that was a long time ago but now I'm like oh my gosh no it's everyone has to do what's best for them and also working out can become a passion I love how you said you went from like had an epiphany of going from the inside out because I think that's like the biggest transformation

people see and then they get passionate about working out because of how it makes them feel again I also think that there's something is overworking out you know and trying to overcompensate but I think exactly what you said, every body, body and every person is so different of what works for them. I've tried every, when I was, you know, really am happy with where I was at, I tried everything. I tried every diet. I was anorexic. I, you know, I have body dysmorphia still. And so I think that it was a mental thing first. And I had to realize like where my demons were what wasn't working and then I had to find what worked for me

and again what worked for me was not limiting myself to you can't have this and just being more aware of like you know what I haven't had a ton of greens today why don't I have a salad for lunch but then for dinner I'm definitely going to have a pizza because I deserve it you know

yeah totally I love that I think that's great D-I-E-H-L asks where did you get where do you get your choreography inspiration? I have no idea. No,

I think a big part of where I draw inspiration is from the music. And it's true. It's a curse. It's a blessing and a curse. But I hear a song on the radio and all I do is start counting.

I'm like, oh, what style is this? Two, three. It's a cha-cha. Yeah. So like, I think music really helps me draw a lot of inspiration, but I will definitely give a lot of credit to my mentor, Mandy Moore. She, when I was growing up, like Mandy, Mandy, Mandi Moore? Like, not the actress Mandy Moore, but like the very famous choreographer, Mandy,

Mandy Moore. She was on So You Think You Can Dance. She also was like our choreographer on Dancing with the Stars for many years. And I feel so fortunate that I got to learn from her. But she basically showed me her process. and I just kind of took that and ran with it, but she counts out all of her music and eights. She basically does them in phrases or when the music changes,

so she'll, like, have four dashes and that's the chorus. So for me, that's really helped, like, carp, what is it? What's that word? Compartmentalized? Yes, compartmentalize. Whoa. I have great parts all the time. I'm actually really impressed with myself that I just remember that.

Yeah, good job, Caitlin. it helps you do that where you're like, okay, this, I know that I need it to pop off and be a big explosive moment. Then this, it kind of like drops. So I'm going to do something really pretty or maybe a spinning lift. You know, so for me, that's a big, big help with choreography. But sometimes, you know, I'll see a beautiful like painting or a statue and be like, ooh, that really moved me. But I'm never going to be like, oh, a whole concept out of this. Right. No, but I'll be moved by it and be like, ooh, how can I create that shape, you know? Okay, that's, that's cool. Also, I feel like it helps with, you know, dancing with the stars. Everybody has a story and you kind of talk through

these stories every week. And I think it's really beautiful how all the pros really know how to build somebody's story into choreography and make it a dance. And I think that's like one of my favorite parts of watching the show is seeing how the pros, because a lot of people are like, do the pros actually choreograph the dances? You're like, yes, they do. please give them all the credit because it's it's a lot of work and you know after monday nights it's it's week after week it's hours every single day no days off then camera blocking then performing and more rehearsals and then you wake up Tuesday morning and you got to come up with all new choreography again for somebody else's story that probably means something really deep to them

and so you want to like do their stories justice with your choreography and it's really it's a lot talent for me i was always a performer and so exactly what you said i whenever there's something to draw from it is so much easier for my brain to come up with a concept or movement i love storytelling that's the part of dance that i love so much you know i never was like oh technique is the one for me like yes but i want to have people feel something i want people to be moved while watching me dance And so in those weeks where we do get a tell a story or a dance does have meaning behind it, those are always the most special to me. Like this season, we did a contemporary for Jojo's grandfather who passed away unexpectedly this year. And that week was just, even in the rehearsals, it was just so much more endearing to dance.

And, you know, we really felt something and how to connect with one another. And those weeks mean a lot. Yeah, absolutely. Ashana O'1 asks who's somebody that you wish you could do choreography for or with? Ooh, there's so many great people. I mean, I'm obsessed with Lady Gaga, and so to like be able to do anything for her, I think I'd actually like need a coffin because I would die. But I would love to collaborate with.

there is this guy his name is Tony Testa and I've actually been able to dance some of his pieces on so you think you can dance in the past but I think he is one of the most artistic stunning minds I've ever met or experienced

so to be able to like combine our worlds he does more like hip hop movement but to be able to combine our worlds I think would be absolutely epic yeah that would be amazing I know who that is okay beats so is I don't know if I'm saying that right

How is it working with your hubby and watching him get close with other girls and vice versa? I always think about this because, like, for me personally, I was really lucky because Jason was like so supportive. Yeah. But in past relationships, I couldn't imagine doing that even though Artem and I, we, Artim and I had great chemistry, but it doesn't mean it's romantic. And I don't think, I don't think viewers at home can separate those two and see that you guys are professionals and that part of. being a professional is having chemistry with your partner that's what makes for good dances but how do you two deal with that in your like personal and professional lives like how is it for you guys yeah and we get this question all the time because i think people are just like enamored of like how do you not get

jealous or you know i think both of us grew up competitively competing ballroom and you know i had a partner for five years. He had many, like, you just, you have to create chemistry together. And like, that's your partner. That's your teammate. That's your only teammate that you're creating these moments with. And so I think it's really natural for us to like get or gain chemistry quickly with people. And I think that concept is just like so crazy for people to understand. But you also have to sell it or else why are people on the show going to vote for you? not a professional doing your job or you're just like you may as well dance with paint drying on the wall like right you know and i think both val and i we take that really seriously of like

performing and telling stories and making people feel like we have chemistry with our partners and again you know we're human sometimes i'll be like oh man he looks really good with them Does he look as good with me doing that move? But I think that, I think that is the blessing of being able to work with your husband or your significant other is you understand. You understand what the end goal is and what you have to do to get there. I also think everyone thinks that like we have this like competitive edge at each other and we're like, we want to be better than them. And he is my biggest support during the season. You can see it when, I mean, people can see it on TV, but I saw it firsthand every week.

You two were always the loudest cheering for each other and the most supportive. I loved watching that. I don't know what I would do without him on the show just because I know that like, if I'm feeling insecure, if I'm feeling stressed out that week and I look and see him sitting there or just like cheering for me or whatever, even just see his freaking face. Yeah. I immediately get calm. And I just like immediately breathe.

But I love that, like, Jason, I could tell that he was so supportive during your season, you know, and like, you're hot, Artem's hot, you know, and like people create these narratives in their heads and want to make something up. But I think that when you have somebody that you can trust and that is so supportive, like, that is the best feeling in the world because then your work is going to be its full potential and you're not going to have to hold back. That's a good point. And that is what you two both have to do with being on Dancing with Stars. I mean, Emma and Sasha do it too. Danielle and Pasha. Yeah, Daniela and Pasha. It's pretty ironic that there are three married couples on the show.

But yeah, it's inevitable that people are going to create, you know, things in their head. We've dealt with this many times before and we're going to continue to deal with it for as long as we want to be on the show working together. So, yeah, it's not fun all the time, but I love that I have somebody that knows what I'm going through and can support me. For sure. I think that is important for people to know also that, like, okay, imagine watching The Bachelor of the Bachelorette. You're going to sit there and be like, how can she actually fall in love with more than one person? And like this isn't, you know, and it's it's you're thrown into the situation. And if you want, like you said, to get the full potential to actually explore everything in the Bachelor, Bachelorette world to get to where you need to be in order to win a mirror ball and have everybody at home be like, wow, their chemistry was insane.

I'm going to vote for them. like it's it's just things that people can't really understand who have like you know a whole different career path and then try and be like oh like they forget you've done this your whole life you've dance part of what okay you and val when you met you knew exactly that you knew that val loved chemistry with his partner to get good career for you knew that was something that you love about ballroom dancing it's that ooze that you talk about the chemistry the passion you both knew that going into the relationship so it's so funny because We have an eight-year age difference, and when we, we both competed around the same time, but just in different categories, because he's a little bit older. But I remember we went to the same nationals competition one year. Didn't meet in person, but it was the first time that I saw him dance live. I no joke was like, who's that couple? Because they are the hottest thing that I'd ever seen. And he was dancing with a full another woman.

Again, I was like 15 at the time, but I was just like, that I want to do that. That is what I want. I want to feel that. I want to experience that, you know. And so, like, we've been doing this since we were four. Yeah. But it's amazing. It's amazing to be able to see that, like, chemistry that you can pull from one another.

I love that. I mean, it wouldn't work between all of these couples that are married on the show. Like, if you guys hadn't done that your whole lives and then, like, just jumped it into it. Okay, I could see how sometimes couples think that's hard. Like couples that have been, you know, through Dancing with the Stars that they're partnered with somebody and it's very hard for them. I understand that. And again, that's probably what viewers see because they couldn't imagine themselves doing that. Well, it's funny too because I could, I think also people like forget, like on tour, I dance with all of the guys

and I have amazing chemistry with all of the guys. So why do people not take that into consideration and, like, create narratives, you know? But it's because, like, that's our job and we do this for a living and, you know, we're going to sell it. Right. So it's funny. It must be hard to deal with all the time. But again, you both know what it is.

That's our world. Caroline Covesy says, do you ever reuse shoes on the show to prevent new blisters from breaking in new shoes? I was thinking about this and I'm like, don't they just, don't you like wear in your shoes and then repaint them or like the stylist for the show, do a really good job, but make it. making the shoes look real? I mean, new? Unfortunately, my foot is a wooden board.

And it is the most hideous thing you've ever seen, but it is completely covered in calluses. So I don't get blisters as often. So I love new shoes. But we do have like two full buckets in the wardrobe room of past shoes that we've used that if we're like, oh, yeah, I know that looks good. Let's just repaint a different color to match our costume.

then that totally works. But I'm like a little bit of a shoe snob and I love the feeling of new shoes. I just think they look so gorgeous. So I'll probably always get new shoes. And if I get a blister, I'm like, beauty is pain. Oh my gosh. I don't know.

I mean, your feet must be just like you said, because, well, not even, like just, I don't know. Artem has a nice feet. And I was always like, how do you guys wear close-toed shoes and they were socks. Oh, yeah, that's true. That's true. to eat no we're like touching the floor we're like strapped in there it's it is actually crazy i just

just from like rehearsing one day and doing that dance for jan at night i was like and there go my feet again like they were like you could see the built-up callus do you see that this is clean i just took a shower this is what they look like this is the thing when you get a pedicure you can never let them scrub it in all of my and all of my 27 years i've never let let one person scrub my foot and they always hate me and they're always so upset at me and like you need a scrub and I'm like don't do it girl I just got my feet rubbed today it's one of my favorite thing to do is like go to a little like foot reflexology place and just have them rub my feet but do you know that you're the fourth person I've had on my podcast in the last like year show me their feet there's something

that I bring out in people that make them very comfortable do you have a foot fetish I'm starting to question myself are you manifesting somehow always give people to show me their feet without even realizing it. I'm starting to think I have a problem. I love that. I love that for you. Oh my gosh. I'm such a weirdo. Um, okay, let's get a confession from you. And then I have one last question. This has only ever happened to me one time on Dancing with the Stars. But this was, this was back when I was on troop. So I didn't have a partner yet but I was in like so many people's numbers and I think this may have actually been a finale where we're in like 10 numbers during the night when you guys do that I don't even know how

so you're like running back and forth you're doing quick changes and this one night this one finale the troop we had a quick change like back backstage not in our normal changing area and we have like 30 seconds to change so we're changing we're changing and all of a sudden the wardrobe realizes is that they didn't bring me underwear or trunks. And I don't wear a thong on show days. It's like a superstition of mine. So I just like don't wear one. I go like full commando.

I cannot wear a thong or else it's going to be a bad show day. Yeah. Anyway, they forgot to bring my trunks and we're wearing these tiny, tiny, mini dresses. And I was like, this is the time I'm about to flash America. And I had to run on. I run on stage and I did a full dance trunkless. national television luckily I wasn't doing

a lot of fan kicks in that number but like a full jive number nude no way yeah and mortified and I was like my dad's going to have a heart attack if he sees anything

slip my dad's back and see anything I don't even think I watched it back and I don't think I'm going to tell anybody which finale this was I'm about to rewatch all the finallies just to see if I get a glimpse in his vagina. Like, what a creep I am today.

Full vagin, out and about, in a mini dress, jive kicking away. Like, I'm happy I didn't pee my pants because, you know, sometimes you get excited and you, like, do a little pee-pee. It's true. Things could have happened. Well, and also, like, lifts and things. I was like, oh, my gosh, it's about to happen. But you got through it and you did it and the show must go on.

I did. And literally the other two girls, Haley and Britt, that were on troop with me, we, cried laughing the whole number like crying laughing and i'm just and i don't hold back i don't mark anything so i was going full out oh yeah that's i feel like people would be more like looking for something to be wrong if you didn't go full out people would be like wait what's happening but if you're going full out nobody's going to be like what's down there what's going on down there you'd never know unless you got flashed then you'd know that's amazing they're very particular about like even if you have a full strap dress on you have to wear

something. Yes, tape, tape. No trunks. They forgot my trunks in the other dressing room. They said, good luck. I was like, good luck to you and your private areas. Oh my gosh, that's really, that's a good confession. I appreciate that. I was wondering because I'm like, in all

your years of dancing, like there's got to be and especially on live television, like there's got to be something that's happened where you're like, I can't believe that was on live national television. And that's it. That was a moment. I will never forget. that was the moment right there um okay my last question for you is because you've done the tour uh what is your best piece of advice for me what do i need to bring what is going to what's something that you're like if you're going on tour don't don't forget this i honestly when i saw you on set and you're

like i'm doing the tour i was so sad that of course the one tour i'm not doing you're going on it was such a hard decision but you're going to have the best time um best advice advice are you a good packer i'm getting better i'm an okay packer okay because i can already tell you you're going to over pack okay and you're going to be hauling your luggage in and out of the most freezing places underneath the bus pulling it out putting it back in so i would just suggest that you like smart pack and you have two bags one that you can like keep on the bus yeah and a smaller one that you can take in and out of the hotels on your days off that's going to be game changers so you're not like lugging a bunch of stuff.

Number two. Will anyone judge me for wearing the same thing every single day? Here's the other thing. You're going to think that you're going to want to pack all these cute outfits. You're going to wear the same outfit for a week straight. Okay. A week straight. It's disgusting, but you're going to do it.

Okay. I'm totally fine with that. I always talk about my hygiene being questionable. So that actually works well for me. You know what? You can shower in the venue, but just like I'm telling you you're going to want to rewear the same outfit. just do it. It's great. All of us are. No one sees you until you're on stage anyway.

You can't poop on the bus, can you? No poops. No poops and no flushing toilet paper down the toilet. That will really get you every time. What happens if I have an emergency? Where do you poop? This did happen one time. I'm not going to name who. Someone got really sick on the bus one time. A plastic bag, like a grocery bag. You're going to put it in the toilet. You're going to put the seat over. it and you're going to do your business. No! I almost, I almost hope something crazy does happen to me just so I have a good podcasting story.

Yeah, it will. You're going to have a bunch of things that you've never experienced before happened on tour, but it's going to be the best time of your life. So I'm so excited for you. Yes. Okay. I'm excited. I go back and forth from being really nervous because being away from my dogs for this

long and like Jason I'm like oh my gosh this is going to be really hard but I love hearing you say that honestly for me it's always like I can do anything for three months yeah or for however long you're going to be on the road yeah yeah it sucks but then you have to remember that this is like a once in a lifetime opportunity that exactly you're going to want to experience yeah I totally agree and that's why I was like I have to do it like to the thought like I mean I grew up just wanting to be a dancer so badly and having to understand that like no Caitlin you were not good enough and now I'm like I'm good enough and now I can go on the tour bus dancing I feel very excited don't get me wrong I love performing um on TV for television but I prefer performing for a live

audience and there's nothing like that feeling walking out for that first number and having everyone erupt with applause like it just like it gives me chills even thinking about it right now it just gave me the chills too I that's actually and I never got I never forgot to experience the crowd last season. Oh, yes, no. And there's going to be a spotlight on you. It's going to be like, and Caitlin Fristow. And everyone's going to be like, ah!

And then you're going to be in your cute little outfit. You're going to come down the stairs and do your dance and, like, it's the best feeling in the world. Okay, fine. I'm excited. Okay. That just, I needed that. Okay. I won't pack a lot and I will just embrace all of the stomach eggs.

Yes. Squeeze. Don't drink any smooth move before you go to bed. That's for sure. Absolutely not. That's another great piece of advice. Thank you so much for coming on the pod and talking to me. And I just loved watching the season with you and Jojo.

I just thought it was one of the coolest seasons I've ever seen, even though I should think my own was. But this to me was like, it was a very epic season. So congrats and I'm so happy that you took away so much from from dancing with Jojo. Because I mean, that was the end of the day. That's a win. Yes.

Thank you. Of course. And tell everybody where they can find you. With Instagram, all the things. Yes, you can find me on Instagram or Twitter, but I never tweet, but on Instagram at Jenna Johnson. That's it. Do you TikTok? Jojo made me start.

And actually, she got me like a ton of followers on TikTok. So you can find me at Jenna Smirkovsky, my married last name. You decided to make it confusing for everybody on that one. I know. Jojo was like, this was about a bad move. But Jenna Johnson was taken on TikTok because I was really late to the game. So, you know. Fair enough.

I actually do now remember seeing. the TikTok of you, like learning what TikTok things were. So, okay, I'm going to go follow you. You keep up on that because that's a, I feel like you could thrive on TikTok. I got to get better at it. Practice makes perfect. I know. I know.

Okay. Thank you so much. And good luck with all your fitness stuff. I'm inspired to go try F-45. Yes. You have to let me know if you like it. I'm Caitlin Bristow. I'll see you next Tuesday.

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