Dancing with the Stars: 11 couples who fell in love on the show

May 2024 · 5 minute read

'Dancing with the Stars' has created many passionate pairings throughout its 32 seasons – so it's not surprising that romance has blossomed off the stage between some of the celebrity contestants and their pro partners. 

The latest season has only been on the air for a few weeks, but it seems a new couple could already be forming after 'RHOBH' star Kyle Richards' husband, Mauricio Umansky, was spotted out on what appeared to be a flirty date with his partner, Emma Slater.

WATCH: Meet the cast of 'DWTS' season 32

Of course, there have been many unconfirmed rumors of romantic relationships between partners over the years, but there are also couples who found love on the show and are still together to this day. 

Sadly, not all those who took their romances off-screen have lasted the test of time, but in honor of the new season, we've taken a trip down memory lane to look back at some of the relationships that began on the show...

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'Dancing with the Stars' couples

Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant

The latest confirmed couple to have found love on the dancefloor are Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart. The 'CODA' actor was a contestant on season 31 of 'DWTS' and announced his relationship with his pro partner on Valentine's Day 2023.

Sharing a loved-up photo of the couple on his Instagram, Daniel wrote: "My Valentine. Happy Valentine's Day!" Britt also shared a sweet snap of the new couple captioned with a heart emoji.

Emma Slater and Sasha Farber

Before she was pictured holding hands with her season 32 celebrity partner, Mauricio Umansky, Emma Slater was married to fellow 'DWTS' pro, Sasha Farber – the couple even got engaged during a live show!

After dancing together, Sasha surprised his girlfriend of five years by presenting her with a pink sapphire ring. "Babe, I wanted to do this for such a long, long time," he said. "I love you so much. Will you marry me?" 

They tied the knot at Bella Blanca in Los Angeles in 2018, but after four years of marriage, the couple announced they were separating in August 2022.

Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella

Former WWE star Nikki Bella joined 'DWTS' in 2017 for its 25th season and was partnered with Artem Chigvintsev. Although they didn't get together straight away (Nikki was engaged to John Cena at the time) the pair reconnected in 2019. 

In 2020 they got engaged and soon after welcomed their son, Matteo – cute! The lovebirds then got hitched in Paris in August 2022.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd

Maksim and Peta – who were both professional dancers on the show – began dating in 2012 but their relationship was on and off for a few years before they got engaged in 2015. 

Two years later, they welcomed a son, Shai Aleksander, and in July 2017 the pair said 'I Do' at Oheka Castle in Long Island, New York. In June 2023, the couple announced the birth of their second son, Rio John.

Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson

Before Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson got together, Val was linked to previous 'DWTS' contestant, model Amber Rose. The pair dated for a few months and were pictured out together but it wasn't to last. 

In 2018, Val and Jenna made it official and got engaged. They tied the knot in April 2019 in Rancho Palo Verdes, California, and welcomed their first child together in January 2023.

Kym Johnson and Robert Herjavec

Former professional dancer Kym Johnson was partnered with businessman and CEO Robert Herjavec in 2015 when he joined the twentieth season of the show. 

It's clear the pair hit it off straight away as they got engaged in February 2016 before tying the knot in July of the same year. In 2018, the couple welcomed twins, Haven and Hudson.

Chrishell Stause and Keo Motsepe

Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause took part in season 29 in September 2020 and while she was previously rumored to be dating her pro-partner Gleb Savchenko, it was Gleb's fellow pro dancer, Keo Motsepe who stole her heart. 

The pair confirmed their romance in December 2020 but less than three months later they split, with Chrishell later calling him a "liar" on her social media. In May 2023, she announced that she had married her Australian rapper girlfriend, G-Flip.

Mark Ballas and Sabrina Bryan 

'Cheetah Girls' actress Sabrina Bryan joined season five of 'DWTS' in 2007 and was partnered with Mark Ballas. The pair began dating while competing on the show but called it quits a few months later due to their busy schedules.

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert

Derek Hough has been linked to 'DWTS' contestants before, but, the dancer is now happily married to fellow dancer Hayley Erbert after they began dating in 2015. 

Prior to his relationship with Hayley, Derek was previously linked to 'American Pie' actress Shannon Elizabeth when she competed on the show in 2008.

Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff

'Saved by the Bell' star Mario Lopez competed on the show in season three in 2006 and was partnered with Karina Smirnoff and they instantly hit it off. The pair dated for over two years in total before parting ways. 

Karina then went on to date Maksim Chmerkovskiy and even got engaged, but they called off the big day shortly after.  

Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks

Former 'DWTS' pro dancer and new co-host Julianne Hough began dating singer Chuck Wicks in late 2008, the year before the country singer joined the show as a celebrity contestant. But in late 2009, the pair ended their romance, insisting the split was "amicable". 

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