Val Chmerkovskiy is just a few days into rehearsing for "Dancing with the Stars" with his partner, Season 1 champ Kelly Monaco, but he's already very impressed.
"From the two days we've been working, I've been kind of feeling her out - you know what I mean - and what I see is that she's really talented," Val, who previously danced with Elisabetta Canalis and Sherri Shepherd, told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Wednesday's Access Hollywood Live . "It's definitely the best dancing season that I'm going to have so far."
PLAY IT NOW: Val Chmerkovskiy: I’m Hoping To Win Back The Mirrorball Trophy For Kelly Monaco
Kelly won Season 1 of "DWTS" (with then partner Alec Mazo), but had her mirrorball glory cut short in a rematch, which was won by former "Seinfeld" star John O'Hurley. Val is hoping to get this season's trophy for his partner.
"It inspires me. I want to get that trophy back for her because I don't believe in a recount like that," Val said.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Sexy ‘Dancing With The Stars: All-Stars’ Pairs Photos
And the pro knows he has good material to work with - a "fit" star, who is ready to learn again.
"She's fit, she's talented, she's super humble," he said of Kelly. "She's very excited."
"Dancing with the Stars" returns for its All-Star season on Monday, September 24 at 8/7c on ABC.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Dancing’s Val Chmerkovskiy
-- Jolie Lash
Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: The (Nearly) Shirtless Pros Of ‘Dancing With The Stars’
