On Dancing with the Stars, we often see DWTS couples relationships form under pressure — in rehearsals, dressing rooms, and through the emotional narratives that unfold on the dance floor.
This unique environment tends to spark speculation: do these dance pairings expand beyond the dance floor? In this post, we’ll look at current and recent DWTS couples—those who are married now, those who had showmances or romantic tension, and those who used to be together but parted ways. We’ll explore what made it work (or not), and how dance chemistry intersects with real life.
DWTS Couples Who Are Married (or Long-Term Partners) Today
Some couples on Dancing with the Stars have shown that their chemistry goes well beyond the dance floor. They’ve built marriages, families, and long-term partnerships that prove their bond is as strong in life as it is in dance.
Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov are one of the most celebrated married couples to come from the DWTS world. Longtime pros on the show, they tied the knot in 2014, long before either was a household name on television. Their romance grew out of years of competing, coaching, and performing together. In 2023, they welcomed their daughter, Nikita, adding parenthood to their shared journey. The couple even made DWTS history when they both competed in the finale with different celebrity partners, marking a milestone as a married duo navigating the pressures of competition together. They are often celebrated as an example of how shared passion, teamwork, and balance can make a relationship thrive even in the intense world of dance.
Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson are another DWTS success story. Both professional dancers, they started dating before Jenna officially became a pro on the show. Their romance unfolded quickly, and by 2018, Val had proposed. The couple married in April 2019 and welcomed their son, Rome, in January 2023. Their relationship is defined by healthy competition and support for one another. In interviews, Jenna has emphasized their partnership as a true team effort, once stating, “We’re a team … if it’s his win, it’s my win.” They balance their personal and professional lives seamlessly, each encouraging the other in and out of the spotlight.
Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant represent one of the newer romances born directly out of DWTS. Their story began during Season 31 when Britt, a pro dancer, was paired with Daniel, a deaf actor and activist. The chemistry between them grew beyond the ballroom, and after the season ended, they confirmed their relationship publicly. Their bond strengthened quickly, and in December 2023, they announced their engagement. Britt’s dedication to learning American Sign Language to better communicate with Daniel is often cited as a symbol of the respect and effort they put into their relationship. Their connection goes beyond the routines, it’s a true representation of effort, love, and strong communication.
Emma Slater and Alan Bersten are another pair whose relationship has gained attention in recent seasons. Emma was previously married to fellow pro Sasha Farber, but after their divorce in 2023, she was romantically linked to Alan. Rumors had circulated for some time about the two, and they made their affection more visible during the DWTS live tour when they shared a kiss onstage. By 2025, they were making red carpet appearances together and posting affectionate photos online, solidifying their relationship as something more than just a showmance. Both continue to dance on DWTS, and their shared experiences as pros keep them closely connected. All of these make great examples of lasting DWTS couples’ relationships.
DWTS Showmances and Relationship Tension
Not all DWTS couples’ relationships last; some are short showmances. These relationships exist in the realm of speculation, attraction, on-screen chemistry, and are often fueled by the intensity of rehearsals and performances.
Gleb Savchenko and Brooks Nader are one such pair. During Season 33, the chemistry between the pro dancer and the celebrity model became a hot topic among fans. Their relationship was reportedly real and lasted about seven months before ending in April 2025. While it remains debated whether their romance began during the show or after, fans often point to their interactions in rehearsals and behind-the-scenes footage as proof that their connection was more than just professional. This pairing showcases how the close nature of the sport can spark something real, even if it doesn’t last forever.
Sasha Farber and Jenn Tran were another rumored couple. During Season 33, Sasha was paired with Jenn, and rumors quickly spread about their off-screen closeness. While neither publicly confirmed a romance, the speculation grew throughout the season and into 2025. By mid-year, reports suggested that whatever connection existed between them had faded, especially after Jenn returned home to finish her master’s degree. Their story serves as a reminder that not every flirtation or showmance translates into a lasting partnership.
Former DWTS Couples’ Relationships
Not all DWTS romances stand the test of time. Some couples once shared deep connections but eventually went their separate ways. Failed DWTS couples’ relationships still shape the show’s history.
Emma Slater and Sasha Farber are perhaps the most notable example. Their love story began years ago when both were pros on the show. They dated, broke up, and rekindled their romance, eventually getting engaged during a live DWTS performance in 2016. They married in 2018, and for a time, they were one of the most beloved couples in the DWTS community. However, by 2022–2023, their marriage had ended, with Emma filing for divorce. Despite their split, both have spoken publicly about maintaining a supportive and respectful relationship as colleagues. They continue to work together on the show, proving that even when the romantic love fades, mutual respect and professionalism can remain.
Beyond Emma and Sasha, DWTS has a long history of rumored and real romances between pros and celebrities. Past examples include Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff, Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough, and Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas. These relationships may not be current, but they add to the legacy of DWTS as a show where love and passion often blur with performance.
What Makes Some Partnerships Last and Others Fade?
Looking at all the couples throughout the years, we can see patterns in why some relationships thrive, while others fall apart. The sucess of DWTS couples’ realtionships often comes down to boundaries.
A shared profession needs a mutual understanding. Couples that consist of two pros, like Daniella and Pasha or Jenna and Val know the demands of the job: months of travel, long hours, and the physical toll of the competition. A shared lifestyle allows them to support one another. Pros that get married or date celebrities have a lot more to work through with their partners. They come from two different worlds, so bridging the gap can be more difficult. The expectations and lifestyles can clash, making it hard for the relationship to last long term.
A key factor in these relationships can be the time spent together under pressure. The DWTS rehearsal schedule is notoriously grueling. Couples spend hours each week learning different forms of ballroom dance, perfecting choreography, and prepping for their live performances. The intense environment can cause fast-forming intimacy, people that have only known each other a few days feel like they have known each other for years. The quick starting relationships might feel strong on the dance floor, but can they last beyond that?
Couples on the show have to learn to communicate and set boundaries. When pro-pro relationships begin, they need to create clear boundaries between their professional and personal lives. Emma and Sasha were both pros on the show, and even though they divorced, they still remain respectful towards each other. Both have even dated other pros or celebrities from the show. For newer relationships, such as Britt and Daniel’s, they have to learn how to know each other outside of the ballroom. During the season that they met, Britt learned ASL to connect with Daniel, which allowed for their dance partnership to become something deeper.
DWTS fans love to speculate about the relationships of the season on social media. Because of the growing publicity of the show, these couples have to be ready to face public scrutiny and pressure. Last season, everyone was speculating about whether Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber were dating. They eventually hard launched each other, but the overwhelming pressure could have contributed to their fizzling connection.
Looking Ahead: The Couples to Watch This Season
After 34 seasons, there is still chemistry on and off the dance floor. This season, two all pro couples are competing against each other for the mirror ball. Both Daniella and Pasha and Jenna and Val have strong marriages, and are balancing the show and life with toddlers. Emma and Alan’s relationship is still pretty fresh, with fans speculating all last season, they finally hard-launched their relationship earlier this year. With them being pros again this season, their relationship is constantly in the spotlight. Britt, a pro on this season, got married to her partner from an earlier season last month. Even though they do not get to be on the show together like other couples, Britt makes sure to sign everything she says so her husband can understand while watching.
As the season continues with rehearsals, performances, and social media posts, show-watchers will get a deeper glimpse into these relationships. Whether these couples are strengthening their love or facing challenges, fans will be watching closely to see which bonds stand the test of time.
Conclusion: Partners in Dance, but Only Sometimes Partners in Life
While Dancing with the Stars seems to just be a reality show about a dance competition, true fans know about the relationship drama that occurs every season. The high-pressure, close knit environment allows for relationships to develop quickly, but not every bond translates into lasting romance. Some couples on the show find lasting relationships, while others have short flings that do not last long after leaving the ballroom.
In the end, DWTS couples relationships remind us that dance and love share trust and connection.The dance floor can bring about the beginning of a lifetime partnership, but it can also be a place for beautiful, but short relationships. Whether these relationships last or are temporary, they show us that dance, just like love, is about trust, connection, and being vulnerable. Audiences keep coming back to see what is going to happen on and off the ballroom floor.
