Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson are continuing to thrive on their journey in “Dancing With the Stars,” but they’ve not been without their hurdles. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Joey, 29, shared insights into their dynamic, especially after performing in the show’s milestone 500th episode. He highlighted the comfort and trust that developed between him and Jenna, 30, stating, “It’s a process. From the beginning, we felt really comfortable with each other and there was this unspoken trust.”
Although they have faced challenges, Joey emphasized the importance of leaning on one another through tough times. “This is a really hard process,” he acknowledged, explaining that both the highs and lows are part of their experience. His trust in Jenna has been pivotal, and they have formed a strong partnership because of it.
Before competing in “DWTS” Season 33, Joey was previously featured on Season 28 of “The Bachelor,” where he got engaged to Kelsey Anderson, who has been a regular supportive presence in the audience during the competition. Joey explained how he requested to be paired with a partner in a stable relationship to minimize distractions, which he successfully achieved with Jenna, who is married to fellow dancer Val Chmerkovskiy. “I wanted to be in a situation where I was comfortable that I didn’t have to worry about a lot of this noise,” he said.
In celebration of their 500th episode, Joey and Jenna performed a contemporary routine inspired by Riker Lynch and Allison Holker’s prior performance, earning a commendable score of 55 out of 60. Joey hinted at celebrating this milestone, as well as their one-year anniversary with Kelsey, saying, “We are going to do something special after this.”
Reflecting on his relationship, Joey has come to appreciate Kelsey’s understanding nature and ability to cater to his needs, mentioning, “She does a really good job at the little things when I need it the most.”
“Dancing With the Stars” airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available for streaming the following day.
This story shines a light on the supportive relationships that can flourish in high-pressure environments like reality television. Joey’s commitment to maintaining stability in both his professional and personal life can serve as an inspiration for others navigating similar challenges. Their journey illustrates the power of trust and mutual support, emphasizing the importance of strong bonds in achieving success.