I'll Never Change My Name

An Immigrant's American Dream from Ukraine to the USA to Dancing with the Stars

De: Valentin Chmerkovskiy

Narrado por: Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Maks Chmerkovskiy

Valentin Chmerkovskiy, the world championship-winning and beloved Dancing with the Stars ballroom dancer invites fans into his life as never before, sharing the experiences, including the failures and successes, that have shaped him, from his early childhood in Ukraine to growing up as an immigrant in the U.S. to his rise to international fame.

Val has captivated viewers of Dancing with the Stars since his first performance in 2011. While DWTS demonstrates Val’s beautiful physicality, this moving memoir illuminates his soul, revealing a deep, thoughtful person who channels his emotions and socially conscious views through his art. The beloved dance champion and choreographer assesses his life and career so far—where he’s come from and where he hopes to go.

For the first time, Val looks back at his childhood in Odessa, Ukraine, and his Jewish family’s immigration to the United States—including what it was like to grow up as a stranger desperate to fit into a different culture, how he worked to become a premiere dancer, and, of course, the collaborations and competitions with his brother and fellow DWTS sensation, Maksim ""Maks"" Chmerkovskiy.

Val speaks warmly of his close-knit family and shares intimate and inspiring stories meant to offer hope and motivation not only to fans but to everyone with a dream. Enduring anti-Semitism in their native land, Val’s parents wanted a better life for their children—a desire that led them to leave everything they knew and start again thousands of miles away in a foreign country. It was a gamble that paid off—after years of practice and discipline, Val, along with his older brother Maks, have reached the pinnacle of success. Though he admits he sometimes still feels like an outsider, Val expresses his enduring gratitude for everything that America represents and pays homage to his adopted nation and the opportunities it has afforded him and his family.

Inspiring, heartfelt, and compulsively listenable—including a foreword written by brother Maks—Val’s memoir is filled with the moments that have moved and shaped him, and is sure to touch listeners’ hearts as well.

Truly Inspiring!!

A truly inspiring read!! As an avid DWTS fan, it was wonderful to get to know, on a very personal level, Valentin Chmerkovskiy!!!

Great book

Great book! I enjoyed listening to you read it on Audible. As an educator of immigrant youth, I enjoyed hearing your perspective as a boy who journeyed from Odesa, Ukraine to the United States to competitive dance to DWTS. Learning from other people's life experiences continues to broaden my own perspectives and deepens my commitment to supporting my students around me. I have enjoyed watching you on DWTS, and appreciate learning about your own journey, trials, and growth as a dancer. Well done!

The story in both languages and the humor were so endearing.

It is like listening to a dear friend at the kitchen table, over a cup of tea. Great job, Val 😊

Very entertaining

I love Val and I love Dancing with the Stars. Listening to him tell his story of a childhood in Ukraine, competitive dancing and DWTS was incredible. My only complaint is that he left some of the stories unfinished. He gave a lot of detail about Tamar Braxton, Ginger Zee and Kelly Monaco. Then he gave a big introduction to his first meeting with Rumer Willis but then never mentioned her again, even though they won the mirror ball trophy together. He talked a lot about meeting Laurie Hernandez then never mentioned her again. So I would've liked a longer book with ALL the details. Otherwise, I loved it.

A Favorite on Mine!

This remarkable man is so much more than an extraordinary dancer ... as each page unfolds his treasures and talents are revealed that will floor the reader. And more important are his passionate core values of family, loyalty, hard work and sacrifice and patriotism. Truly inspirational and such a classic read. Almost impossible to pause until you get to the end. A beautiful story so perfectly written by Val!