‘Dancing With the Stars’ Couples Who Dated, Fell in Love on Show: Nikki Bella, Mauricio Umansky, More

Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater

Mauricio Umansky was partnered with Emma Slater for season 32 of DWTS in 2023. The season took place following the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star’s separation from Kyle Richards. Emma was newly single after her divorce from Sasha Farber, who was also a pro on season 32, earlier that year.
 
Rumors of a romance between Emma and Mauricio surfaced in October 2023 when they were photographed holding hands while out to dinner.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd

They’d both dated others on the show, but it wasn’t Peta’s brief romance with her celeb partner James Maslow — or, for that matter, Maksim’s engagement to pro Karina Smirnoff — that kept these two dancers apart at first. “I thought he was arrogant,” Peta said. Fortunately, her opinion changed. Married in 2017, Maks and Peta are now the proud parents of two sons. “I think it’s awesome we have a massive history,” said Maks.

Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson

“When I met her, I felt complete,” Shark Tank mogul Robert said of his DWTS partner-turned-bride, Kym. It showed. Though they didn’t take home the Mirrorball Trophy, the passionate kiss they shared during one of their routines was the talk of season 20. Two years after their 2016 wedding, Robert and Kym welcomed twins Haven and Hudson into the world.

Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella

When Nikki Bella partnered up with Artem Chigvintsev for season 25, they came across as such a friend-zoned couple — her then-fiancé, John Cena, wasn’t even slightly threatened by the hunky hoofer. “I think he’s probably gonna teach me my first dance [for the wedding],” John declared. But the wrestler-turned-actor is no doubt singing a different tune these days. Nikki, who broke off her engagement to John, went on to begin dating Artem in 2019, get engaged in January 2020, and welcome a baby in July 2020.

They officially tied the knot in August 2022.

Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson

Val Chmerkovskiy was romantically linked with partners Kelly Monaco, Janel Parrish and Amber Rose before ultimately rekindling his on/off relationship with fellow DWTS pro Jenna Johnson. “I’m in a great place, and I’m in love,” said the 32-year-old, who whisked Jenna off to Venice, Italy, in June 2018 to pop the question. “When I was 17, I visited Venice for the first time and thought it was the most romantic place in the world. I promised myself then that the next time I would come back to Venice was to propose to the woman I’d want to spend the rest of my life with.” The couple tied the knot in 2019. They welcomed their first baby together in January 2023.

Emma Slater and Sasha Farber

After the professional dancers had been dating for five years, Sasha decided to ask Emma to marry him on the dance floor. After she said “yes,” the entire cast came out to celebrate. The pair married in March 2018. However, after four years as a married couple, they parted ways in August 2022. 

Matthew Lawrence and Cheryl Burke

Matthew Lawrence wasn’t a contestant on the show but his brother, Joey Lawrence, competed in season 3. Cheryl Burke and Matthew met through the show and started dating in 2007 but broke up in 2008. In 2017, they reunited, then announced their engagement in 2018 and married in May 2019. The pair split in February 2022 after three years of marriage.

Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess

While they were romantically linked before the show, the 90210 star joined DWTS in season 30 and was partnered up with Sharna. The couple welcomed their first child together in June 2022.

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert

Derek and Hayley started dating in 2015, and she became one of the DWTS troupe dancers the following year. They announced their engagement in June 2022.

Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant

After they were paired together for the show’s 31st season, the professional dancer and actor debuted their romance in February 2023.

Derek Hough and Shannon Elizabeth

For his second season of DWTS in 2008, Derek was partnered with Shannon Elizabeth. They dated for more than a year after the show ended. They announced their split in a joint statement on Twitter.
“Hi everyone, we wanted you all to know directly from us that [we] have decided to end our relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend,” the tweet said. “We love and care about each other very much.”

Alan Bersten and Alexis Ren

Alan Bersten and Alexis Ren teamed up for season 27 of Dancing With the Stars and made it all the way to the finale. The two briefly dated after the show, but split when they realized that their schedules did not align.

 
“She’s a beautiful person in and out, but that didn’t end up so well,” Alan admitted afterward. “So we’re not dating, for anyone asking.”

Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff

Mario Lopez was paired with Karina on the third season of DWTS in 2006. They were together for nearly two years before breaking up. She even moved into his home in Los Angeles during the relationship.
“Karina and I have the utmost respect for each other,” Mario said in a statement. “She is a phenomenal and talented woman. I support her always and feel blessed to have her in my life.”