Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Jenna Johnson recently spoke out against an online troll who targeted her 2-year-old son, Rome. The incident began when Johnson shared a seemingly innocent photo of herself with Rome, who was pictured drinking from a bottle.
However, the post received an appalling response from a woman who made a cruel and offensive comment about Rome, calling him a “fat r—–” and saying he was “way too old” for a bottle. Johnson was deeply disturbed by the comment and took to Instagram Stories on July 5 to address the situation publicly.
Jenna Johnson Condemns Online Bullying, Urges Trolls to Reflect and Unfollow Her
Johnson, 31, expressed her frustration at the offensive message and pointed out the irony that the woman who sent it appeared to be a mother herself. She emphasized that while she is open to receiving positive parenting advice, there is a stark difference between constructive feedback and bullying.
Johnson questioned what kind of world allows such hostility toward innocent children and noted how damaging these unsolicited and aggressive messages can be—especially when aimed at a toddler. She admitted that this kind of behavior makes her want to stop sharing personal moments from her life.
Jenna Johnson Defends Son Rome After Cruel Online Attack, Stands Firm Against BullyingThe professional dancer didn’t hold back in criticizing the troll’s behavior, expressing disbelief that any parent would say such things about another child. “Would you want me, a total stranger, to DM you this about your child?” she asked pointedly.
Johnson emphasized how much she values her social media community but made it clear that she will not tolerate bullying. In a bold statement, she urged the troll—and others like them—to unfollow her immediately and “respectfully get a life,” drawing a hard line against further harassment.
Uplifted by Love, Jenna Johnson Thanks Fans and Focuses on Family Joy
Following her post, Johnson received an overwhelming outpouring of support from fans and followers. She shared a heartfelt thank-you message the next day, saying she had cried reading the kind and uplifting messages. Johnson acknowledged that while the cruelty she experienced was painful, the positivity and encouragement from her online community reminded her of the goodness that still exists. She reaffirmed her commitment to sharing light and positivity on her platform and encouraged others to do the same.
Jenna Johnson shares her son Rome with her husband and fellow DWTS professional Valentin Chmerkovskiy. The couple married in April 2019 and welcomed Rome in January 2023. Speaking to PEOPLE in February 2025, the couple revealed that their young son already shows signs of following in their artistic footsteps, with a love for dancing and performing. Despite the recent negativity, Johnson and Chmerkovskiy remain focused on their family and spreading positivity both online and in real life.