Joey Graziadei was aware that audiences find it difficult to separate The Bachelor Franchise of Dancing with the stars when it comes to on-screen chemistry.

So much so that he specifically asked producers to pair him with a professional dancer in a “successful and healthy relationship,” which is how he ended up with Jenna Johnson, who is married to fellow pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy. “Coming here was something I thought about,” Graziadei revealed while performing with Johnson The Almost Famous Ben and Ashley Podcast. “I said I wanted to be in a situation where I felt comfortable, where I didn’t have to worry a lot about that noise, so when I got on the show I asked to find someone who was successful. “healthy relationship.”

“I didn’t want there to be any noise because I know that sometimes comes with the show and the territory,” he continued. “And I was in such a great place in my life with everything Kelsey and I had built that I didn’t want any distractions. So we understand why that happens, but I also came into it thinking, ‘Let’s do it all.’ We can help with that.’”

Still, Graziadei isn’t surprised that there has been speculation about his and Johnson’s chemistry on the dance floor. Simply disappointed. “Since it’s a Bachelor Nation thing, it’s understandable that people are always paying attention to my relationship,” he added. “It was something Kelsey and I talked about and before we did it we made sure she didn’t mind putting it back into the world.”

“I think we were more surprised that people couldn’t step back and understand the situation of the relationship that I was in and the relationship that Jenna was in,” he continued. “We were hoping people would be a little more aware of it. But we weren’t necessarily surprised. I think it was more about having that conversation and you don’t really need to focus on that. That’s what we want.” to be able to connect on the dance floor and have what we have and have that friendship and trust with each other without the assumption that we would do something we never do would.”

Johnson also chimed in, noting that it’s something at least one duo deals with on the show every year. However, she is still frustrated that people cannot understand that both she and Graziadei have happy, committed relationships with other people.

“I’ve been on the show for a while,” Johnson said. “My husband too. We were paired with the opposite sex. I was paired with a girl. People assumed something was happening to us. It’s just part of the show.”

“Unfortunately I won’t say that,” she added. “I love that people are so engaged and feel like they are part of your partnerships. I knew that would probably happen, especially with the franchise he came from. But I think it’s pretty obvious that my relationship is known on the show. “I also have a child on the show. I thought people would obviously know that Joey was engaged Good morning America And finally, there are all these comments asking, ‘Why does it have to be like this in the beginning?'”

Both Johnson and Graziadei also noted that many of the showmance rumors have now died down as the show is in full swing. “It’s gotten so much better,” Johnson said. “Kelsey is incredible. She has been so supportive throughout this entire experience. Obviously my husband loves Joey and supports him so much. When we see these two people together, they forget about it and just devote themselves to our dancing.

Graziadei is optimistic that fans can stop the mostly off-base chatter and instead focus on the work he and Johnson do as dancers. “We’re probably in the best place now because Kelsey is more vocal and we’re trying to do everything we can to get people to calm down,” he concluded. “Hopefully now we can just have fun every week and focus on our dances.”

So far, Graziadei and Johnson have been in the top half of the field, amassing a combined 43 points in the first two weeks of competition.

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Dancing with the stars airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.