Dancing with the Stars is Lowkey a Dating Show

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

Hold onto your dance shoes, dear readers, because we’re about to dive into the juiciest, twistiest tales in the glittering world of Dancing with the Stars. Picture this: a dashing pro dancer, Artem Chigvintsev, and the ever-watchful judge, Carrie Ann Inaba, locked in a dance of romance that began long before the sequins and sambas. And guess what? That’s just the tip of the sequined iceberg! So many love stories have cha-cha’d their way under those dazzling lights. Grab your metaphorical teacups and prepare for a whirlwind of glitter, drama, and sizzling revelations. The show’s just getting started, and the tea is sure to leave you craving more than just cha-chas and rumbas!

Now, I get it. You’re probably not tuning in to watch subpar dancing from celebrities you haven’t seen since flip phones were a thing. But let me tell you, my friends, why I love this show. It’s not just about the dance moves; it’s the backstage drama, the unexpected connections, and the chemistry that sizzles both on and off the dance floor.

Confession time: I fell into the Dancing with the Stars rabbit hole during Season 13 trying to keep up with a Kardashian. That’s right – Rob Kardashian strutted his stuff on the dance floor, and just like that, I was hooked. Call me basic, blame Kris Jenner’s magic – whatever. I was running to watch DWTS like I was virtually fighting for a lip kit on launch day. The devil might work hard, but Kris Jenner works harder.

From Tango to Tumult: Dancing with the Stars Couples Who Broke Up

Artem Chigvintsev (Pro) and Carrie Ann Inaba (Judge)

Carrie Ann and Artem first crossed paths as choreographers on So You Think You Can Dance. Sparks flew, and the stage was set for their romance to blossom. From 2006 to nearly three years later, the two waltzed through life, both on and off the stage but ultimately broke up. Fast forward to Dancing with the Stars, where Artem takes center stage. Carrie Ann, now in the judge’s seat, must navigate the delicate art of critiquing her ex’s dance moves. Talk about dancing on a fine line!

Emma Slater (Pro) and Sasha Farber (Pro)

Grab your popcorn because the rollercoaster of love between Emma and Sasha reads like a script straight out of a dance-themed soap opera. They first crossed paths in 2009, took a romantic spin in 2011, and then threw in a dramatic breakup after three years. But wait, there’s more! They decided to resurrect their love, got engaged on live TV during Dancing with the Stars, and sealed the deal in 2018 with a gorgeous wedding.

Now here’s the twist…*cue the dramatic music*

They dropped a divorce bombshell in August 2023! Emma revealed soon after it had to do with the fact that she wasn’t ready for kids but Sasha was. Despite the breakup, they’re still putting on a united front on the show. I’m practically glued to the screen, decoding every smile and side glance. Like are they really still friends? So far it’s giving “conscious uncoupling” vibes and I’m here for it.

Val Chmerkovskiy (Pro) and Amber Rose (Contestant)

This pairing is still so fascinating to me. Like how did this come to be? It makes no sense. Well let me fill you in. Val has a brother, Maks, who is also a pro on the show. And you know, I guess one spin led to another Val found himself in an entanglement with Amber Rose while he and his current wife, Jenna, were on a break. Not a Ross and Rachel kind of break; it was the real deal.

Wild to think this was an actual couple but it happened and further pulled me into the world of DWTS.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Pro) and Karina Smirnoff (Pro)

Before Maksim Chmerkovskiy embraced family life with Peta, he had a tumultuous past with Karina Smirnoff. Now, these two pros may not be gracing the DWTS stage anymore, but let me tell you, I remember hearing about this couple and I hadn’t even started watching the show yet. I think people were intrigued because they were both so incredibly beautiful. It’s giving Brad and Jenn, Boris and Nicole — you get it.

Let me set the scene. The year was 2006, and their partnership wasn’t just about the dance moves—it was a passionate tango both on and off the dance floor. The sparks flew, and before you could say “quickstep,” they were engaged.

But, ah, the drama wasn’t far behind. Like a dramatic twist in a salsa, their engagement ended in 2009, leaving fans completely devastated.

Fast forward to the present, and the Maks and Karina saga has become a nostalgic chapter in DWTS history. They’ve moved on to new dance partners in life, and while the ballroom may not see their fiery chemistry anymore, the echoes of their dance-floor drama continue to reverberate in the glittering halls of Dancing with the Stars.

Karina Smirnoff (Pro) and Mario Lopez (Contestant)

The sparks flew when this pair danced together on the third season of the show in 2006. Their chemistry was palpable, and their dance routines sizzled with the kind of passion that goes beyond the dance floor. They dated for 2 years before parting ways. Word is Mario cheated but who knows the real reason they split. Then again if his fidelity skills were anything like the graphics during that time (see the video below) I can see why they had so many issues.

Chrishell Stause (Contestant) and Keo Motsepe (Pro)

This…”relationship”, if you can even call it that, sparked on the show when Chrishell was a contestant paired with Gleb Savchenko and Keo was paired with Anne Heche (rip).

Keo and Chrishell broke up very soon after the show wrapped and it always screamed publicity stunt to me. Chrishell was trying to stay relevant after her break up from Justin Hartley and garner views for Selling Sunset. It also could have just been a rebound. Love her but either way it was so cringe, especially the way she went off on him on her IG stories. Like, girl you are too grown to be acting this way. And in public at that. Crazy what people do for fame — allegedly.

Alexis Ren (Contestant) and Alan Bersten (Pro)

If you put a young, hot single man and a young, hot single woman in situations where they are basically dry humping each other 24/7, they aren’t going to be baking cookies if you catch my drift. They dated for a few months after the show but eventually broke up. They really played this one up and the producers knew exactly what they were doing, capturing every cute, steamy, and heart-fluttering moment in those pre-dance packages. If you have 20 minutes, here’s all of them to give you a clear picture.

Mark Ballas (Pro) and Sabrina Bryan (Contestant)

Mark Ballas and Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan strutted like they meant it (see what I did there?) in the ballroom and struck up a romance, but alas, their love story had its final bow shortly after the show ended. Cue the dramatic sighs. How utterly tragic.

Matthew Lawrence (Contestant) and Cheryl Burke (Pro)

Once upon a time in the glittering world of fame, Matthew Lawrence and Cheryl Burke’s love story kicked off during the third season of DWTS, thanks to a little matchmaking by Lawrence’s brother, Joey.

But hold the confetti—act one came to a quiet close as Burke and Lawrence broke up after a short time together. Fast forward almost a decade, and guess what? Destiny dusted off its dance shoes, and the duo rekindled their love. Cue the romantic crescendo.

Now, buckle up for the unexpected twist that blindsided us all. Burke and Lawrence hit the brakes on their marriage after almost three years, citing the classic “irreconcilable differences” – in Hollyoodd. terms that means someone’s either lying or cheating. Oh, the drama!

Enter the social media drama: Cheryl spilled cryptic tea on TikTok about alleged infidelity, just as Matthew was seen with TLC’s Chilli in Hawaii.

As if scripted by the gods of gossip, Matthew and Chilli went public with their romance, adding another layer to this tangled love web. Meanwhile, Burke embraced solo living with pride, declaring she’s alone but definitely not lonely, and reflecting on her journey to self-love.

Successful Relationships

Val Chmerkovskiy (Pro) and Jenna Johnson (Pro)

Ah, let’s rewind the dance tape and dive into the cheeky chronicles of Jenna and Val’s meet-cute. Jenna – the So You Think You Can Dance alum strutted into the Dancing with the Stars dance troupe, setting the stage for romance. Val (a.k.a. everyone’s crush), already stealing hearts since season 13, was there, probably practicing a perfect cha-cha. As fate choreographed it, their paths crossed, and what began as a friendly twirl soon evolved into a dance of hearts.

But, like any spicy salsa, their love had its dips and turns, leading to a brief intermission where Val waltzed into the arms of former DWTS contestant Amber Rose. However, in a plot twist that would make even the best telenovelas jealous, Val’s heart pirouetted back to Jenna. Fast forward to a romantic Italian escapade in June 2018 – the stage was set, the lights were low, and Val dropped to one knee. On the picturesque backdrop of Italy, he didn’t just showcase his dance moves; he showcased his heart, proposing to Jenna and turning their love story into a breathtaking ballad. Ah, the sweet symphony of love, where each step leads to the next, and sometimes, even the missteps make the dance more beautiful.

Also, they just welcomed a baby boy and she’s already back in the ballroom with her body about as snatched as it was before baby. If I had a Burn book of post-baby bodies, she would be my first entry.

Makism Chmerkovskiy (Pro) and Peta Murgatroyd (Pro)

Back in 2009, these two dancers first crossed paths under the dazzling lights of Broadway. However, at that point, their connection was purely platonic.

Fast forward to 2011, the year they reunited on ABC’s hit reality show, Dancing with the Stars. It was on this glittering stage that their friendship from Broadway transformed into something more, as the rhythm of their hearts began to beat as one. The chemistry was undeniable, and by the following year, their bond had blossomed into a full-fledged romance.

Now, no dance journey is without its dips and turns, and Maks and Peta experienced a brief breakup. But in the grand tradition of a dramatic dance routine, their story didn’t end there. In 2013, they decided to pick up the choreography of their love once more, proving that some partnerships are destined for an encore.

Maks might have exited the dance stage, but Peta, his lovely other half and DWTS pro who also just had a baby and would be the second entry in my post-baby body Burn Book, is still sizzling on the dance floor. It’s just the cutest thing to witness her and her brother-in-law Val supporting each other on the show!

Kym Johnson (Pro) and Robert Herjavec (Contestant)

Shark in the boardroom, Robert Herjavec, walked away with more than having learned the tango as a contestant on DWTS. He and his partner Kym Johnson started a whirlwind romance that left us all tapping our toes to the tune of love.

As the season unfolded, so did their connection. The paso doble of their passion crescendoed into a confirmation of their relationship, leaving fans cheering for more than just dance moves. And just when we thought the story couldn’t get any more dazzling, 2016 saw the couple sealing their love with an engagement.

But that wasn’t the end of their dance. In a grand ceremony, more spectacular than any DWTS finale, Robert and Kym became partners for life. Their love story, scored a perfect 10, teaching us that sometimes the most magical dances happen when you least expect them. They even had twins soon after! So adorable.

Daniella Karagach (Pro) and Pasha Pashkov (Pro)

These two were married for 5 years before they joined DWTS. Their story began in 2009 when they met as dance partners, setting the dance world ablaze with their undeniable chemistry. The duo continued to make waves, showcasing their talent on “World of Dance” before bringing their enchanting moves to the ballroom of “DWTS.” Adding another layer to their love story, the couple welcomed a baby this year, with Daniella effortlessly securing her spot as third in the post-baby body Burn Book. We literally had babies weeks apart and she looks incredible while I’m over here trying to crack the code to looking anything less than 5 months pregnant.

These two are super cute! They came on the show as pros already married but I will say I just love seeing them on the show and watching for interactions.

Artem Chigvintsev (Pro) and Nikki Bella (Contestant)

Artem and Nikki are hands down one of my top DWTS duos ever. I mean, I practically glued myself to the TV when she was on Nikkis’s show “Total Divas”. It was like a Swiftie scoring front-row seats to a Chiefs game. That’s how invested I was.

At the time she was on DWTS, Nikki was dating with John Cena, but guess what? Plot twist! After she waltzed away from the show in 2017, she and John called it quits by 2019 after an engagement that didn’t quite make it to the alter. And that’s when things got interesting. Artem popped into the picture, and let’s just say, I was over the moon to see they had reconnected!

Fast forward to today, they’ve gone from tangoing on the dance floor to changing diapers because they’re now happily married with a little champ of their own. Good vibes all around.

Derek Hough (Pro turned judge) and Hayley Erbert (Pro)

These two started dating in 2015 during their time on Dancing With the Stars and chose to keep their romance under wraps initially, making their Instagram debut as a couple in 2017. Since then, they’ve been delighting fans with sweet updates about their love story, sharing their journey and creating a public display of their affection through social media. They two just married in August 2023.

I get all the good vibes from Dancing with the Stars. Like Kylie singing “Rise and Shine”. That’s the amount of joy I get lol. Anyway, if this little spiel wasn’t enough to convince you then go back to your cringy Bachelor dating shows (cause I’ll be watching those too) and leave me be. But as for me and my house we will watch Dancing with the Stars until further notice (as long as it’s not on Disney +. That’s weird ABC).