Val Chmerkovskiy on How Ukraine Relief Efforts Have Changed Him

Over the weekend, Val Chmerkovskiy made an appearance at 2022 GLAAD Media Awards, keeping Ukraine close to his heart!

Along with pulling out a blue and yellow handkerchief, Val said, “It’s a huge part of my life… In the last month… it’s been really present on my mind… Hopefully things are getting better.”

Val felt “conflicted” because he was “grateful” to live in America, but Ukraine is his homeland. He explained, “We moved a long time ago, but my brother really kept up with a lot of people in Ukraine… It’s a blessing to live here, but at the same time, we want to do our best to support the country that we’re from.”

Val and his brother Maksim Chmerkovskiy recently joined in the efforts to help those in need during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Their organization Baranova27 has raised nearly $250,000 on its GoFundMe, with all proceeds going towards the effort. He commented, “One of the things that really stood out to me was how many different people rallied behind the cause when I just said ‘Help.’ People came from all different colors and walks of life… Everybody that had really no immediate connection to Ukraine, they reached out and said, ‘How can we help?’ That changed my life.”

He stressed, “I was always leaning towards… groups that felt like they were from the outside… I felt like that for a lot of my life as well… I’m so motivated to support any group that is asking for it.”

Val was joined for the evening by his wife Jenna Johnson, who he called a “goddess.” He said, “I’m just excited to be out with my wife amongst a beautiful dynamic group of people that I admire… I’m excited to meet everybody.”

Chmerkovskiy was happy to be able to show his support for the LGBTQ community.

See the GLAAD Media Awards winners below:

Outstanding New TV Series: "Hacks" (HBO Max)

Outstanding Comedy Series: "Saved by the Bell" (Peacock)

Outstanding Film - Wide Release: "Eternals" (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Reality Program: "RuPaul’s Drag Race" (VH1) and "We’re Here" (HBO) TIE

Outstanding Documentary: "Changing the Game" (Hulu)

Outstanding TV Movie: "Single All The Way" (Netflix)

Outstanding Film - Limited Release: "Parallel Mothers" (Sony Pictures Classics)

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: "It’s A Sin" (HBO MAX)

Outstanding Video Game: "Life is Strange: True Colors" (Deck Nine Games/Square Enix)

Outstanding Comic Book: "Crush & Lobo" (DC Comics)

Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology: "Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms" (Oni Press)

Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: "The Advocate"

Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist: Lily Rose, "Stronger Than I Am" (Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music/Republic Records)

Outstanding Spanish-Language Scripted Television Series: "Maricón Perdido" (HBO Max)

Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism: "Orgullo LGBTQ: 52 Años de Lucha y Evolución" (Telemundo 47)

Special Recognition: "All Boys Aren't Blue" by George M. Johnson [filmed reading + performance]

Special Recognition: "Alok Vaid-Menon" 4D with Demi Lovato (Cadence13/OBB Sound/SB Projects)

Special Recognition: "CODED: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker" (Paramount+)

Special Recognition: "Jeopardy!" Champion Amy Schneider

Special Recognition: "The Laverne Cox Show" (Shondaland Audio/iHeartMedia)

Special Recognition: Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson (ABC News)

Special Recognition: Outsports' Coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics