Heartbroken Jenna Johnson Gushes About Maks and Peta's Florida Escape

**Jenna Johnson Mourns Loss of Close Friends After Maks and Peta Relocate to Florida**

Jenna Johnson, 32, opened up about the emptiness she feels since former *Dancing With the Stars* partners Maks Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd left Los Angeles for the Sunshine State. The announcement came Thursday, August 20, as the dancer‑coach partnered with Orgain to launch the brand’s new organic kids protein smoothies.

“Are we heartbroken? Yes,” Johnson said in a statement. “We literally lived in the same neighborhood for two years, and you forget how much you take advantage of that until they’re gone.” She added that seeing Maks and Peta thrive in Florida brings her both sadness and happiness.

The move was driven by family needs: Maks’s brother Val and his wife Jenna raised their three sons—Rome, 3; Shai, 9; and Milan, 2—in Los Angeles, while the Chmerkovskiy brothers were looking for a more suitable environment for their own children. The Florida relocation also appealed to Peta’s love of coastal living.

## Background & Context

Jenna Johnson is a *DWTS* professional who is married to Val Chmerkovskiy, Maks’s brother. The couple, along with their three sons, recently became first‑time homeowners in Los Angeles.

For two years they shared the same neighborhood with Maks and Peta, creating a tight‑knit community that included daily interactions and shared parenting moments.

Maks and Peta have always lived close to the beach; Peta grew up in Australia, where she was accustomed to a warm climate. Their decision to move to Boca Raton, Florida was motivated by the proximity of top‑rated schools, extensive sports programs for boys, and easy access to the ocean.

“We fell in love with Boca because it kind of has everything [and] the best of everything,” Peta explained during a recent Instagram Q&A. She added that the area is only 11 minutes from her home and offers a “great lifestyle.”

Jenna’s own family enjoys a bi‑coastal arrangement, with her husband and three children remaining in Los Angeles while they anticipate visits to Florida for holidays and family gatherings. The couple believes these visits will create meaningful moments that outweigh the daily routines of life.

## What People Are Saying

During the Orgain partnership announcement, Johnson highlighted her commitment to healthy, organic nutrition for parents and children. “When we became parents, we wanted to give our kid the very best,” she said.

She praised Orgain for using only organic ingredients, including organic fruits, organic pea protein, and no added sugars or artificial flavors. The brand’s kids’ protein smoothies come in three kid‑approved flavors: mango‑peach, strawberry‑banana, and cherry‑banana vanilla.

Rome loves the mango‑peach flavor. “It just was like ‘Yes!’” Johnson shared, noting how easy the smoothies are for on‑the‑go snack times. She also emphasized that the partnership aligns with her parenting philosophy and lifestyle.

In her Instagram Q&A, Peta confirmed her preference for Florida’s climate, stating that while she acknowledges the heat, they are “kind of in it right now.” Her move reflects a broader trend among families seeking warmer, family‑friendly communities with robust educational and athletic opportunities.

## What Happens Next

Jenna and Val have settled into their new home and plan to continue raising Rome while maintaining ties with the Florida family. Their future visits will likely center around holidays and seasonal gatherings, ensuring that the bond with Maks, Peta, and the rest of the extended family remains strong.

Meanwhile, the Orgain partnership will continue to promote healthy eating habits among busy parents. The smoothies are positioned as an accessible option for lunchboxes, after‑school snacks, or quick meals during hectic schedules.

Johnson’s endorsement is expected to increase visibility for the product line, especially among families with similar lifestyles.

The move of Maks and Peta to Florida marks a shift in a close-knit community that has evolved over the past two years. As Jenna embraces her new home, she also supports her friends’ decision while looking forward to future family gatherings that bridge both coasts.