Dancing With the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy and celeb partner Rumer Willis may have danced their way to victory on Tuesday, but the hoofer knows the pair couldn’t have won the season 20 Mirrorball Trophy without the help of fans. So he shared a heartfelt message with them on Instagram.
“Wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of the incredible fans of #TeamValenRue that supported us this season,” the 29-year-old dancer wrote Thursday. “Every edit, every kind comment, every phone call and vote casted we appreciate it so so very much. It is incredibly humbling to know how many people genuinely wanted to see Rumer and I win. Means the world, today and forever. Love you guys very very much.”
The sweet message was paired with an adorable crayon drawing of the two performing on finale night.
This is Chmerkovskiy’s first Mirrorball Trophy, but it’s the second in the family. His older brother, Maksim, brought home their first trophy last year in season 18 with partner Meryl Davis.
"BANG BANG BANG!!!" the elder Chmerkovskiy wrote on Instagram, which included a photo of close friend and fellow Dancing With the Stars pro Tony Dovolani. "Our balls get shinier every year!!!"
Though their quest for dancing glory is over for now, the younger Chmerkovskiy and Willis have continued to show off their winning moves. On Wednesday, the pair danced alongside The Chew’s Carla Hall and Clinton Kelly while promoting the Dancing With the Stars tour.
"Was on @abcthechew ..it was really fun," Chmerkovskiy wrote.
The Dancing With the Stars: Live! tour kicks off on June 13 in New Jersey, and will feature Chmerkovskiy, all-stars champ Melissa Rycroft, and several of the show’s pro dancers. There are 44 shows scheduled.
DWTS is nominated at the 5th Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards. Tune in to see which of your favorite shows take home a trophy on Sunday, May 31, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on A&E.
