Entertainment TV Dancing with the Stars Champ Xochitl Gomez Shares Behind-the-Scenes Photos of the 2024 Tour (Exclusive) Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy are showing off their moves for a limited time — and showing us what happens off stage! By Kate Hogan Kate Hogan Kate Hogan is Director of Digital Specials and Features at PEOPLE, as well as the editor of Stories to Make You Smile. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2008. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 20, 2024 12:00PM EST Close Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Photo: Courtesy of Xochitl Gomez Dancing with the Stars Live recently kicked off, bringing the best of the ballroom to cities around the U.S. in the weeks ahead. Starring on the tour on select dates until Feb. 4 is newly crowned season 32 champ Xochitl Gomez, who at 17, became one of the show's youngest-ever winners last year. She's joined by her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, along with a host of famous faces from the ABC reality competition series. As she hits the road, she's taking PEOPLE along for the ride, sharing some behind-the-scenes photos of her first days on tour with Val. See what she's been up to (in her own words) and follow along on her Instagram @_xochitl.gomez, where she'll be sharing daily vlogs. 01 of 09 Get This Show on the Road Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Courtesy of Xochitl Gomez Your champs are here! So excited to kick off the first night of the 2024 Dancing with the Stars tour in Richmond, Virginia. 02 of 09 Eat Up Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Courtesy of Xochitl Gomez First things first before a long day, breakfast! 03 of 09 Sign Here Xochitl Gomez. Courtesy of Xochitl Gomez Signing some posters for all of our VIPs! I was so excited to meet everyone that voted #TeamXV. Dancing with the Stars Winners: See Them All Through the Years 04 of 09 Glam Squad Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Courtesy of Xochitl Gomez Val has changed his career path, he is now my hair stylist! 05 of 09 Tight Team Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Courtesy of Xochitl Gomez So honored and grateful that I get to join this incredible crew on tour this year! While Val has been an incredible partner, I’m excited to learn from each of the pros while on the road. Couples Who Found Romance in the 'Dancing with the Stars' Ballroom 06 of 09 Stretch Sesh Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Courtesy of Xochitl Gomez Final stretch before we change into our first dance costumes! Foam rolling is key. 07 of 09 All the Lights Xochitl Gomez. Courtesy of Xochitl Gomez This is the moment where it hit that I was about to perform in front of a much larger live audience than I was used to on the show! I was so nervous to get onstage next to these incredible pros, but the crowd was so welcoming. I really felt the love! 08 of 09 Stage Right Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Courtesy of Amy Ryerson This is one of my favorite dances from the show and I’m so glad it’s part of the tour program! It was also the dance I was most excited to learn as it was so different from the rest during my time on the show. 09 of 09 Take a Bow Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Courtesy of Amy Ryerson So grateful I got to perform some of my favorite dances from this season on stage! I can’t even begin to explain how thankful I am to get to do this with Val by my side and I look forward to the remaining stops on the tour. Hope to see you all on the road! XO