16 “DWTS ”couples whose ballroom chemistry turned into real romance

We all want to dance with somebody who loves us, which is perhaps why Dancing with the Stars has brought together so many couples.

From brief flings to everlasting love, some celebrities and their professional partners have taken their ballroom passion into the real world. Here’s a closer look at 16 DWTS couples who turned their onscreen partnership into a real-life love story.

01 of 16

Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff

During DWTS season 3, sparks flew between Karina Smirnoff and Saved by the Bell star Mario Lopez. They dated for two years before calling it quits in 2008.

During an appearance on Chelsea Lately, Smirnoff addressed rumors that Lopez had cheated on her. “You know, I am okay now. I was little bit upset earlier. But there is no easy way to break up, and, especially when you’re in the public eye, it’s that much harder,” she said. “But, you know, it could be worse.”

02 of 16

Mark Ballas and Sabrina Bryan

During his debut season of DWTS in 2007, Mark Ballas developed a close bond with his partner, Cheetah Girls member Sabrina Bryan.

On a March 2024 episode of Cheryl Burke’s Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans podcast, Bryan addressed the rumored romance. “We were really, really close,” she said. “I wouldn’t really consider it a relationship, as much as it was a friendship.”

03 of 16

Derek Hough and Shannon Elizabeth

Six-time DWTS winner Derek Hough and actress Shannon Elizabeth sent stream shooting from viewers’ ears with their moves in season 6. It was no joke — the two dated for over a year before amicably going their separate ways.

04 of 16

Maks Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff

Shortly after splitting with Lopez, Smirnoff started dating fellow DWTS pro Maks Chmerkovskiy. The couple got engaged in January 2009, but ended their relationship that September.

“They both knew when they had been spending more time together recently things weren’t going so well,” a source told PEOPLE at the time. “She’s not devastated but it obviously hurts, she’s angry. She’ll always love him and respect him but she always knew in heart of hearts from the beginning of their relationship that he wasn’t the one for her.”

05 of 16

Cheryl Burke and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson

Burke has clarified that her connection with season 10 partner Chad Ochocinco Johnson was more of a showmance than a full-blown relationship. On the Amy & T.J. Podcast in April 2024 (via ET), she recalled that the former NFL star “basically professed his love to me” during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

She also responded to rumors that they were engaged, which came about when Johnson gifted her a $10,000 diamond ring. “People were like, ‘Oh, you’re engaged! He gave you a diamond!'” she said. “And I was like, ‘No.'”

06 of 16

James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd

Big Time Rush’s James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd are unique in that they went on a date before they even hit the ballroom. The season 18 partners didn’t pursue a relationship, agreeing to keep things strictly professional.

“It’s super fun being paired with James. He’s a great-looking guy, and I think he’s really going to show America that he can dance,” Murgatroyd wrote in a blog for PEOPLE in 2014. “He’s not going to rest on the fact that he’s a cute guy. But I do think it helps a little bit that he’s very charming and he hasn’t got an arrogant bone in his body.”

07 of 16

Peta Murgatroyd and Maks Chmerkovskiy

Maks Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd met on Broadway in 2009, but their romance didn’t blossom until she joined DWTS in 2012. After briefly parting ways, they got engaged in December 2015 and welcomed their first son, Shai Aleksander, in January 2017.

Since exchanging vows in July 2017, the couple welcomed two more sons: Rio Jon (born in June 2023) and Milan (born in July 2024).

A year after Milan’s birth, they celebrated eight years of marriage. “Time flies, but it also compounds,” they said in a joint Instagram post. “So much happened. So many amazing memories as well as sad moments, but going through all of this together and in love….now that’s truly special. Here’s to another 80! Love ALWAYS wins.”

08 of 16

Val Chmerkovskiy and Janel Parrish

Val and Pretty Little Liars actress Janel Parrish raised plenty of eyebrows when they competed on DWTS season 19. Despite the obvious chemistry, they denied anything was going on behind the scenes.

Still, rumors escalated after they were seen holding hands in New York City after the finale in November 2014.

The spark didn’t last, and both have since married other people.

09 of 16

Kym Johnson and Robert Herjavec

Kym Johnson-Herjavec and Shark Tank panelist Robert Herjavec began dating almost immediately after pairing up on DWTS season 20. They married in July 2016 and welcomed twins in 2018.

For their ninth wedding anniversary, Johnson-Herjavec took to Instagram to gush about her husband. “Loving you, @robertherjavec, is the easiest thing in the world to do! You literally swept me off my feet and changed my life forever,” reads the caption. “I love you even more with each passing year. (I can’t believe it’s been 9 years!) How lucky am I to spend my life with you?”

10 of 16

Amber Rose and Val Chmerkovskiy

Amber Rose competed on DWTS season 23 with Maks Chmerkovskiy, but found love with his younger brother, Val. They were first seen together celebrating her birthday in October 2016, though the relationship fizzled out shortly after.

“We both lead very different lives and unfortunately it didn’t work out between us,” Val wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post in February 2017 (per E! News). “I will continue to support her, praise her, and defend her against any narrow minded individual that dares to question her integrity as a woman, a friend, and most importantly, the incredible mother that she is to her son!”

11 of 16

Emma Slater and Sasha Farber

Slater was previously married to DWTS pro Sasha Farber. He proposed live on air in October 2016, and they tied the knot in March 2018. They separated in April 2022 and finalized their divorce in May 2024.

Even after the split, they are “still close,” according to Farber. “We are friends,” he said in a November 2025 interview. “I thank her for the incredible years that we’ve had together, incredible memories. We built so many memories, we’ve toured the world. Life is life and sometimes things don’t work out. We just move on and want the best for each other.”

12 of 16

Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson

A fan-favorite couple, Jenna Johnson and Val first crossed paths on the show in 2014, beginning an on-again, off-again relationship that culminated in a 2018 engagement. The lovebirds married in April 2019 and welcomed their son, Rome Valentin Chmerkovskiy, in January 2023.

Johnson posted a sweet tribute on Instagram for Val’s birthday in March 2025. “Happy Birthday to my one and only,” she wrote. “If you know Val, you love him. He is wise beyond words. A loyal friend. Has a heart longing to serve others! Spontaneous beyond belief. The social butterfly to my introverted grandma. He is all things LOVE and LIGHT!!! My sun and stars. And by far Rome’s best friend in the whole wide world. We love you endlessly!!”

13 of 16

Alan Bersten and Alexis Ren

Bersten briefly dated his season 27 partner, model Alexis Ren. They weren’t shy about flaunting their connection on air, and confirmed their relationship in November 2018. Things cooled off quickly, though, and they split up by December.

In a now-deleted Instagram comment (per PEOPLE), Ren told a fan, “We’re focused on our careers and growing as individuals. He’s an amazing person and I’m grateful he came into my life. He’s on his own journey and I respect that.”

14 of 16

Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart

Deaf actor Daniel Durant and pro Britt Stewart partnered on DWTS season 31, and Stewart learned ASL so they could communicate. The duo made it to the semifinals, finishing fifth overall.

Stewart and the CODA actor confirmed their romance on Instagram on Valentine’s Day in 2023. They got engaged that Christmas Eve and were married on Aug. 23, 2025.

Roughly a month later, Durant celebrated Stewart’s birthday on Instagram, sharing a carousel of photos. “Happy Birthday to my beautiful @brittbenae Queen, wife, and my soulmate!” reads the caption. “I’m thankful everyday that you are in my life.”

15 of 16

Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko

DWTS season 33 brought the heat thanks to Gleb Savchenko and his celebrity partner, model Brooks Nader. They fueled dating rumors early in the season with flirty exchanges and matching tattoos. After an on-and-off stretch, they officially split for good in April 2025.

The model’s sister, Grace Ann Nader, accused Savchenko of cheating, but he denied the allegations. “I’m not a cheater,” he said. “I’m actually a family guy. I’m a relationship guy. I’m not a f—boy who goes around and goes on all these dates. I’m not even on dating apps.”

16 of 16

Alan Bersten and Emma Slater

DWTS pros Alan Bersten and Emma Slater made their relationship official on the 2025 DWTS: Live! Tour by smooching onstage.

Since then, the pair have frequently appeared on each other’s Instagram accounts, sharing vacation snaps and PDA-filled photos.

“Forever grateful for your love,” Slater captioned one picture of them kissing. She also joked about Bersten’s eyes being open, and he commented, “I like looking at you.” Too cute.

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