The magic of “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) isn’t solely in the celebrity contestants; a significant portion of its sparkle originates from the exceptional talent and charisma of its professional dancers. These individuals aren’t just partners; they are choreographers, coaches, and stars in their own right. Since the show’s inception, numerous professional dancers have graced the ballroom, captivating audiences with their moves and stories. But what happens after the Mirrorball trophy is handed out or after they decide to leave the show? Let’s delve into the lives of some of the most memorable “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancers and discover what they’ve been up to.
Louis Van Amstel
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Louis Van Amstel is a “Dancing with the Stars” original, having competed in the very first season with Trista Sutter. His journey on DWTS spans many seasons, culminating in a season 31 appearance with Cheryl Ladd. Beyond the ballroom, Van Amstel channeled his dance expertise into LaBlast, a popular dance fitness program offering online classes and masterclasses personally led by him. His personal life also blossomed; he married Joshua Lancaster in 2017 and expanded his family through adoption, welcoming sons Daniel in 2019 and Jonny in 2020.
Edyta Sliwinska
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Edyta Śliwińska is another veteran “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer, participating in almost a dozen seasons since 2005. Her celebrity partners included names like Joey Lawrence and Cameron Mathison, with her final season being season 22 with Geraldo Rivera. In 2007, she married fellow DWTS pro Alec Mazo. Their family grew with the arrival of their son Michael in 2014 and daughter Leia in 2017. Sliwinska remains a beloved figure in the DWTS community, remembered for her elegance and skill.
Alec Mazo
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Alec Mazo holds a special place in DWTS history as he was half of the first-ever winning duo, claiming the Mirrorball trophy with Kelly Monaco in season one. He returned for seasons 4, 5, 7, and 9, solidifying his status as a fan favorite “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer. Married to Edyta Śliwińska since 2007, they share two children. Mazo transitioned into the business world, earning an MBA from Stanford Business School in 2012. He is currently a General Partner at DGA Capital, showcasing a successful career pivot beyond dance.
Cheryl Burke
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Cheryl Burke made a sensational entry into “Dancing with the Stars”, winning the Mirrorball in season 2 with Drew Lachey, and repeating the feat in season 3 with Emmitt Smith. Her impressive run included over 20 seasons, concluding in season 31. In 2022, Burke announced her departure after 26 seasons, marking the end of an era for this iconic “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer. She launched her podcast Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans in 2023, reflecting on her DWTS experiences with former colleagues. Her marriage to Matthew Lawrence ended in 2022.
Peta Murgatroyd
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Peta Murgatroyd’s journey on DWTS began in season 12 as a troupe dancer. Her talent quickly propelled her to a professional dancer role in the subsequent season. She secured two Mirrorball trophies, first in season 14 with Donald Driver and again later in her career. Season 32 marked her most recent dance on the show. Beyond her professional wins, DWTS brought her personal joy as she met and married fellow “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Engaged in 2015 and married in 2017, they are now parents to three sons: Shai, Rio, and Milan.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy
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Maksim Chmerkovskiy joined “Dancing with the Stars” in season 2 and remained a prominent figure for nearly 20 seasons, last appearing in season 25. Known for his passionate performances and occasional on-screen drama, he is undeniably a memorable “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer. His personal life has been equally eventful. After a prior engagement to Karina Smirnoff, another DWTS pro, he found lasting love with Peta Murgatroyd. They married in 2017 and are now a family of five. In 2024, Chmerkovskiy expanded his judging experience, appearing on season 18 of So You Think You Can Dance and also participated in The Traitors season two.
Val Chmerkovskiy
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Val Chmerkovskiy, Maksim’s younger brother, is also a long-tenured and beloved “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer. He debuted in season 2 but officially joined as a pro in season 13. Val has since become a consistent presence, winning the Mirrorball trophy three times, including season 32 with Xochitl Gomez. Season 33 will see him partnered with Phaedra Parks. Like his brother, Val also found love on DWTS, marrying Jenna Johnson in 2019 after getting engaged in 2018. They welcomed their son, Rome, in 2023.
Tony Dovolani
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Tony Dovolani’s DWTS career began in season 2 and spanned an impressive 20 seasons. He finally captured the Mirrorball trophy in season 15 with Melissa Rycroft. After DWTS, Dovolani remained in entertainment, even guest-hosting at Chippendales in Las Vegas in 2018. He returned to DWTS in 2023 for a tribute to Len Goodman. In 2024, Dovolani is set to appear alongside Jennifer Lopez in the film adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman. He and his wife Lina are parents to three children: Luana, Adrian, and Ariana.
Anna Trebunskaya
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Anna Trebunskaya was a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer for 11 seasons, starting in season 2. She achieved runner-up in her first season with Jerry Rice but never secured a Mirrorball win. Currently, Trebunskaya co-owns You Can Dance Studio in Hermosa Beach, California, with her mother, Irina. She is also a mother of two children with Nevin Millan. Trebunskaya joined fellow DWTS alumni in 2023 to honor Len Goodman’s legacy with a special tribute dance.
Kym Johnson-Herjavec
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Kym Johnson-Herjavec (née Johnson) became a “Dancing with the Stars” pro in season 3. She celebrated two Mirrorball victories, in season 9 with Donny Osmond and season 12 with Hines Ward. DWTS also played matchmaker for Johnson-Herjavec. Paired with Robert Herjavec in season 20, they married in 2016 and welcomed twins Haven Mae and Hudson Robert in 2018. Post-DWTS, she launched a fitness DVD series, a diet book, and opened a fitness studio in Richard Simmons’ former space. In 2024, she ventured into acting, starring in Lifetime’s Hunting Housewives.
Karina Smirnoff
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Karina Smirnoff graced “Dancing with the Stars” for nearly 20 seasons, debuting in season 3 and finishing second with Mario Lopez. She secured a Mirrorball trophy in season 13 with J.R. Martinez. After leaving DWTS after season 22, Smirnoff continued her dance career as a performer and instructor. In 2022, she welcomed her first child, a son named Theo. Smirnoff remains a respected figure in the dance world and within the DWTS family.
Mark Ballas
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Mark Ballas joined DWTS in season 5 and became known for his creativity and versatility as a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer. Over 16 years, he partnered with numerous celebrities, including Melissa Joan Hart, Kim Kardashian, and Charli D’Amelio, with whom he won his third Mirrorball in season 31. Following this win, Ballas announced his retirement from the show. In June 2023, he and his wife BC Jean announced their pregnancy, welcoming their son Banksi Wylde Ballas in November 2023. They also perform together in their band Alexander Jean.
Derek Hough
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Derek Hough is synonymous with “Dancing with the Stars” success. In his nine years as a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer, he secured a record-breaking six Mirrorball trophies with partners like Nicole Scherzinger, Amber Riley, and Bindi Irwin. He left the show in 2016 but returned as a judge in 2021. Hough married fellow dancer Hayley Erbert in August 2023 and supported her through a health emergency. They resumed their Symphony of Dance tour in 2024. Hough is set to judge season 33 of DWTS.
Julianne Hough
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Julianne Hough’s relationship with “Dancing with the Stars” is multifaceted. After leaving as a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer in 2009, she returned as a judge from 2014 to 2017. In 2023, she took on the co-hosting role alongside Alfonso Ribeiro. Hough’s career extends beyond DWTS; she’s an actress (Burlesque, Footloose), a singer, and a writer. She made her Broadway debut in 2022 and became a published author with her 2024 novel Everything We Never Knew. Her marriage to Brooks Laich ended in divorce in 2022.
Lindsay Arnold
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Lindsay Arnold became the second-youngest pro in DWTS history when she joined in 2016. Over 11 seasons as a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer, she reached the finals four times and won in season 25 with Jordan Fisher. She stepped back after season 30 to focus on her family with husband Samuel Cusick and their daughters, Sage and June. Her sister, Rylee Arnold, is now a DWTS pro, continuing the family’s dance legacy.
Sharna Burgess
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Sharna Burgess debuted as a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer in season 16, reaching five finals and winning with Bobby Bones in season 27. Since 2020, she has been in a relationship with Brian Austin Green. They made DWTS history as the first real-life couple to compete together in season 30. Burgess took a break from DWTS after season 31 to welcome their son, Zane Walker Green, in June 2022. She and Green got engaged in July 2023.
Sasha Farber
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Sasha Farber joined DWTS in season 17 and became a regular “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer from season 22 onwards. He frequently partners with athletes, including Simone Biles and Suni Lee. Season 33 will see him dance with Jenn Tran. Farber famously proposed to fellow pro Emma Slater on DWTS in season 23. They married in 2018 but later divorced in 2023. Farber continues to be a dynamic presence on the show.
Emma Slater
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Emma Slater has been a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer since season 17. Season 33 will see her partner with Reginald VelJohnson. She won the Mirrorball trophy in season 24 with Rashad Jennings. Slater was engaged to Sasha Farber live on DWTS in 2015, and they married in 2018. Their separation occurred in 2022, with Slater filing for divorce in 2023. Slater remains a beloved and talented dancer on the show.
Gleb Savchenko
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Gleb Savchenko joined DWTS in season 16, partnering with Lisa Vanderpump. He has since danced with Jana Kramer and Chrishell Stause, and most recently with Mira Sorvino. Season 33 will pair him with Brooks Nader. Beyond DWTS, Savchenko acted in Great American Family’s Swing Into Romance in 2023. This “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer is also a father to daughters Olivia and Zlata with his ex-wife Elena Samodanova.
Allison Holker
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Allison Holker transitioned from So You Think You Can Dance to DWTS in season 19. Her work as a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer earned her an Emmy nomination. She participated in four seasons, achieving second place in season 20 with Riker Lynch. Holker co-hosted Dance Like a Boss with her late husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss. She returned to SYTYCD as a judge in 2024 and also hosts Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and Design Star: Next Gen. In 2024, she released a children’s book Keep Dancing Through co-authored with Boss. She is mother to Zaia, Maddox, and Weslie.
Witney Carson
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Witney Carson became a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer in season 18. She won the Mirrorball trophy in season 19 with Alfonso Ribeiro. After several seasons and top placements, Carson took a break during season 32 but will return for season 33 with Danny Amendola. Outside of DWTS, Carson married Carson McAllister in 2016 and is a mother to sons Leo and Jet. She is known for her vibrant personality and strong choreography.
Artem Chigvintsev
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Artem Chigvintsev debuted on DWTS in season 19. He won his first Mirrorball trophy in season 29 with Kaitlyn Bristowe. His most recent season, season 32, saw him finish fourth with Charity Lawson. Chigvintsev shares a son, Matteo, with Nikki Garcia, whom he met when they were partners on season 25. Recently, Chigvintsev faced personal challenges with an arrest and subsequent divorce filing from Garcia in September 2024. Despite personal matters, he remains a respected “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer.
Jenna Johnson
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Jenna Johnson joined DWTS as a troupe member in 2014, becoming a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer in season 23. She was a runner-up in seasons 29 and 30 with Nev Schulman and JoJo Siwa. DWTS also brought her love; she met Val Chmerkovskiy on the show, marrying him in 2019. They welcomed their son, Rome, in 2023. Johnson is admired for her innovative choreography and passionate performances.
Alan Bersten
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Alan Bersten debuted as a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer in season 25. He confirmed a romance with partner Alexis Ren during season 27. Bersten won the Mirrorball trophy in season 28 with Hannah Brown. He recently partnered with Jamie Lynn Spears in season 32. Season 33 will see him team up with Ilona Maher. Bersten is known for his engaging personality and creative routines.
Pasha Pashkov
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Pasha Pashkov joined DWTS as a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer in 2019. He married fellow dancer Daniella Karagach in 2014. Pashkov and Ariana Madix placed third in season 32. They welcomed their daughter Nikita in May 2023. Season 33 will see Pashkov partnered with Tori Spelling. He is recognized for his technical skill and strong partnerships.
Britt Stewart
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Britt Stewart made history as the first Black female “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer when she joined in season 29. She and CODA actor Daniel Durant finished fifth in season 31 and formed a romantic relationship. They announced their engagement in December 2023. Stewart is admired for her grace, talent, and for breaking barriers on DWTS.
Daniella Karagach
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Daniella Karagach joined DWTS in season 28 as a troupe member, becoming a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer the following season. She reached third place in her first season and won in her second season with Iman Shumpert. Karagach and Pasha Pashkov welcomed their daughter Nikita in May 2023. She returned to DWTS just three months postpartum, finishing second with Jason Mraz in season 32. Karagach is celebrated for her skill and dedication.
Rylee Arnold
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Rylee Arnold debuted as a “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer in season 32, after competing on DWTS: Juniors in 2018. She followed in the footsteps of her sister Lindsay Arnold. Rylee and reality star Harry Jowsey reached the quarterfinals in season 32 and toured with DWTS. Despite dating rumors, their relationship remains platonic. Rylee represents the next generation of talented DWTS professionals.
These “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancers have not only entertained millions but have also built impressive careers and personal lives. From Mirrorball wins to entrepreneurial ventures and family milestones, their journeys continue to inspire both on and off the dance floor. As “Dancing with the Stars” evolves, these professionals remain the heart and soul of the show, captivating audiences with their talent, passion, and dedication to the art of dance.
