Jenna Johnson broke her nose during rehearsals on Monday night, November 9, 2026, just one day before Grammy Night on Dancing With the Stars — the Jenna Johnson broken nose update she shared herself in a close-up video posted on Tuesday, November 10.
She told viewers, “you guys, last night I definitely broke my nose during camera blocking.” The injury happened while she was rehearsing with her celebrity partner, actor Harry Shum Jr. Even with a broken nose, Johnson plans to dance on Tuesday night, when she and Shum will perform a salsa to “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dancer | Jenna Johnson, 32, Dancing With the Stars pro |
| Injury | Broken nose in rehearsals, Monday night, November 9, 2026 |
| How she shared it | Close-up video posted Tuesday, November 10, 2026 |
| Partner | Actor Harry Shum Jr |
| Tuesday dance | Salsa to “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars |
| Episode | Grammy Night, season 35, Tuesday, November 10, 2026 |
| Couples left | Seven celebrity couples |
| Finale date | Tuesday, November 24, 2026 |
Jenna Johnson Broken Nose: How the Injury Happened
Johnson was clear about the timing and the moment. The break happened on Monday night, November 9, during camera blocking, the part of rehearsal when dancers work through spacing, camera angles, and the exact path of a routine on the floor. The couple moves at full pace in the real ballroom space, with cameras, lights, and marks to hit, so a small misstep or a fast turn can turn into a hard knock in seconds.
She filmed the update herself on Tuesday, and she kept the tone light even while the injury was plain to see. In the close-up video, she pointed out the swelling on her nose and joked about the size of it. She also noted that she had no black eyes that day, which she called awesome. Her caption added to the joke: “Salsa: 1, Jenna’s nose: 0.” The news spread fast because Johnson shared it in her own words, hours before the live show.
Why She Is Still Dancing on Grammy Night
Johnson has given no sign that the injury will keep her out of the live show. In her video, she did not say that she would miss the night, and she did not ask fans to worry about a replacement. Instead, she talked about the swelling with humor and carried on as if the show would go on. That is the spirit of live television, and it is also the spirit of a dancer who has spent years learning how to perform through pain.
There is also a practical reason why the night is less risky for this couple. Johnson and Shum are safe from the dance-off on Tuesday because they had the highest score last week, so they only have to perform one dance, their salsa, while other couples face a second round. Fewer dances means less time on the floor and more time to rest. It does not remove the pain, but it does make the night more manageable.
Their position in the season also helps. Johnson and Shum are frontrunners, and they earned the season’s first perfect score last week. Fans will still watch closely on Tuesday night for any sign of discomfort, but they will also watch for the same energy and polish that made this couple a frontrunner in the first place. If the salsa lands well, the story of the night may change from an injury update to a story about grit. You can read the full list of Grammy Night songs and dances to see where their salsa fits in the night.
A Bruising Season for Jenna Johnson
This broken nose is not the first knock of the season for Johnson. Earlier in the season, she accidentally headbutted Shum during rehearsals. That moment was a reminder that even skilled pros can get hurt when they push for speed and sharpness in close space. Now, with a broken nose so close to the finale, that earlier knock feels like a warning sign for a season that has been tough on her body.
The pattern is worth noting because Dancing With the Stars is often seen as a glamorous show, with bright costumes, smooth music, and polished routines. The work behind it is far less gentle. Dancers rehearse for hours each day, repeat the same lifts and turns until they feel automatic, and then perform them live with no second take.
Johnson has handled that pressure with a calm and open style, sharing the ups and downs of the season in her own voice. Her marriage to fellow pro Val Chmerkovskiy also puts her at the heart of the show, because Val is dancing this season too, with Jenna Dewan. Yet a bruising season does not mean a weak season. Johnson and Shum have turned hard work into strong results, and their perfect score last week is proof of that.
What Grammy Night Will Look Like
Grammy Night is the Tuesday, November 10, 2026 episode of Dancing With the Stars season 35, built around music from the Grammy Awards. Only seven celebrity couples remain, and each one will dance to a song that fits the theme. The night also features the season’s first dance-off, with two couples going head to head on the same song. One dance-off pairing is Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov against Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, dancing a rumba.
The rest of the lineup is just as packed. Maura Higgins with Mark Ballas will perform an Argentine tango to “Thong Song.” Jenna Dewan with Val Chmerkovskiy will perform a jazz routine, Amber Glenn with Pasha Pashkov a paso doble, and Tatyana Ali with Jan Ravnik a tango, while Ezra Frech with Daniella Karagach and Connor Wood with Rylee Arnold will each perform an Argentine tango. Live guests Brandy and Monica, Maren Morris, and Sheryl Crow will also perform.
The stakes are high, because one couple will be eliminated at the end of the night. With only seven couples left, every score and every vote counts more than it did in the early weeks. Johnson and Shum are safe from the dance-off, but they still need a strong score to stay near the top. For the latest music news from the same night, see our report on the new CMA Awards performers for 2026.
The Race to the Finale
The season 35 finale airs on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, so the end is now close. For Johnson and Shum, the path is clear but not easy. They are frontrunners, they have the season’s first perfect score from last week, and they have safety from the dance-off on Tuesday. That is a strong place to be, but it is not a guarantee of a win.
Last week also brought a clear reminder of how fast the field can change. Actress Julia Stiles and her pro partner Ezra Sosa were eliminated after Disney Night, becoming the ninth eliminated celebrity. Their exit set up the seven couple lineup for Grammy Night. Our full account of that night is in Julia Stiles eliminated after Disney Night. The show airs on ABC at 8 p.m. ET and streams the next day on Disney Plus and Hulu. Johnson has a broken nose, a salsa to dance, and a partner who trusts her.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Jenna Johnson really break her nose?
Yes. Jenna Johnson said so herself in a close-up video she posted on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. She told viewers, “you guys, last night I definitely broke my nose during camera blocking.” The injury happened during rehearsals on Monday night, November 9, while she was working with her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr.
Will Jenna Johnson still dance on Grammy Night?
Yes, as far as the facts show. Johnson has not said that she will miss the show, and she plans to dance on Tuesday night with Harry Shum Jr. They will perform a salsa to “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Because they had the highest score last week, they are safe from the dance-off, so they only have to perform that one dance on the night. That should help her manage the pain and the swelling.
How did Jenna Johnson break her nose?
She broke it during camera blocking on Monday night, November 9, 2026. Camera blocking is the rehearsal stage when dancers work through the routine on the real ballroom floor, with cameras and marks in place. Johnson did not share more detail about the exact move that caused the break. What is clear is that it happened during rehearsal with Harry Shum Jr, not during a live show.
Who is left on Dancing With the Stars season 35?
Seven celebrity couples remain for Grammy Night on Tuesday, November 10, 2026: Harry Shum Jr with Jenna Johnson, Jenna Dewan with Val Chmerkovskiy, Amber Glenn with Pasha Pashkov, Ezra Frech with Daniella Karagach, Maura Higgins with Mark Ballas, Tatyana Ali with Jan Ravnik, and Connor Wood with Rylee Arnold. Last week, Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa were eliminated after Disney Night. The season 35 finale airs on Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
SOURCES
Final Thoughts
The Jenna Johnson broken nose shows both sides of Dancing With the Stars. On one side, there is the glamour of Grammy Night, with hit songs, live guests, and bright costumes. On the other side, there is the hard work that makes that glamour possible, and the pain that can come with it. Johnson broke her nose on Monday night, told fans about it herself on Tuesday, and still plans to dance that night.
She and Harry Shum Jr have earned their place as frontrunners, and their salsa to “Die With a Smile” could be one of the highlights of the night. If they dance well, the broken nose will become a footnote to a strong performance. If they struggle, fans will still remember that she showed up when it would have been easier to sit out. For a dancer who has already headbutted her partner once this season and kept going, a broken nose is one more hurdle, not the end of the road.
