'DWTS' Pro Jenna Johnson Follows a Strict 'No Social Media' Rule While Filming

From Woman's Day

At just 25-years-old, ballroom dancer and choreographer Jenna Johnson-Chmerkovskiy has already climbed to the top of her field. At the ripe age of 19, she competed on national television on So You Think You Can Dance, finishing as the ladies' third runner-up. From there, she went on to become a dance troupe member and then a bonafide dance pro on Dancing With the Stars, where she won the prized Mirrorball trophy on her second season as a pro.

Johnson's seemingly smooth and wildly successful rise to the top, however, hasn't been without its struggles, as she told Woman's Day. Like many young women across the country, she has dealt with mental health and body image issues. But unlike most young women, Johnson has had to do so while appearing on national television where she receives critiques from both judges on the show and viewers on social media.

The Utah-native soon learned that everyone from fans of the show to blogers had opinions on her artistic talents and appearance, and they weren't afraid to put their views online for everyone, including Johnson, to read.

"The first few seasons on the show I totally gave in to social media and it really affected me and it changed the way I was thinking about myself," Johnson said. "It was just very negative and it wasn’t good for me."

For many months, Johnson constantly compared herself to others and soaked in the negativity online. It wasn't until she took a trip home to see her family that some words of wisdom from her father finally plucked her out of a downward spiral.

"I was going through a really rough time and I wasn’t happy with where I was at in life, where my body was at, and I was just super, super depressed," Johnson said. "I went home and I was visiting my family and my dad kind of took me aside and he pulled me into his office and he was like 'Look, Jenna, I can tell that you’re not you, and I just want you to know that comparison is the thief of all joy.' And it just really hit me and kind of just clicked and I was like, 'He’s right.' I was constantly comparing myself to others in my workplace, others in life, others on social media, and I was so focused on others that I fell out of touch with myself."

Johnson, who is competing on this season of DWTS with Queer Eye star Karamo Brown, said that she eventually decided to implement a strict no social media policy while filming the competition show. Although she still makes sure to post some behind-the-scenes clips for fans of the show to enjoy, she avoids engaging with any comments, messages, or articles to keep herself in a positive mental space.

"I don’t think it’s healthy and doesn’t put you in the right mindset," she said. "I think that comparison is the worst thing that anyone could put themselves through."

In April of this year, Johnson married fellow DWTS dance pro Val Chmerkovskiy. The newlywed says that her relationship with Chmerkovskiy, 33, has played a huge role in keeping her mental health in check.

"He’s taught me this pattern of just staying in my own lane, staying focused on what my job is at hand, and it’s to teach a celebrity how to dance, to keep them positive through the season, and to keep myself inspired and positive through the season as well," Johnson shared.

Of course Johnson makes sure to stay physically fit and still hits the gym, even with the grueling schedule that comes with being a DWTS pro. And although caring for her physical health is a necessary part of being a dancer, she says she now makes sure to put just as much emphasis on continually working on her mental health.

"I read a quote by a mental health doctor and he said 'Healthy brain, healthy life,' and I was like, 'That’s so true,'" Johnson said. "You know, we put so much effort into taking care of our bodies, whether it’s working out or nutrition and I was like, 'Why don’t we take that same level of care into our brain and our own mental health?'"

To make sure she's staying at the top of her game mentally, Johnson says she likes to take a step back from time to time and check in with herself. When she does this, she evaluates whether she feels she's in a good headspace, whether she feels she's taking care of herself, and whether she has been thinking positively about herself.

"I think ultimately it’s being comfortable with that process and not being ashamed of having to kind of evaluate yourself and be like I’m really lacking with this, or really struggling with this or today I just need to cry like four times, and I have those days," Johnson said. "I feel like I am nowhere near perfect and I have my really rough days and my really off days, but I think being aware of it is the first step to helping yourself."

Johnson's advice for those who are also struggling with similar mental health issues is simple — be patient.

"Everyone’s on their own journey and nothing’s going to happen overnight and you’re going to have ups and you’re going to have downs, but I think that you need to be content with your own journey and find what works for you."

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