The DWTS Blessing: 5 Married Couples Who Defied The 'Curse'—And Their Shocking 2025 Updates

As of late 2025, the ballroom of *Dancing with the Stars* remains one of the most unexpected—and successful—matchmakers in Hollywood history. While the show is famous for the rumored "DWTS Curse," which allegedly breaks up pre-existing celebrity marriages, it has quietly fostered a powerful "DWTS Blessing" for professional dancers and a few lucky celebrity contestants. The intense training schedule, the high-stakes emotional connection, and the sheer amount of time spent together often forge bonds that are stronger than the spotlight, leading to multiple marriages, children, and lifelong partnerships. This deep dive focuses on the most prominent and enduring married couples to emerge from the US version of the show, bringing you the latest updates on their family life, career moves, and how they continue to defy the odds in the competitive world of professional dancing and celebrity life. From major anniversaries to new hosting gigs and vow renewals, the love stories born in the ballroom are still evolving.

The Chmerkovskiy Dynasty: Two Power Couples with Major 2025 Updates

The Chmerkovskiy brothers, Maksim and Valentin, have not only dominated the *DWTS* leaderboard but have also established the show's most famous family dynasty by marrying two of their fellow professional dancers. Their success stories are a testament to finding love within the high-pressure environment of the ballroom.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd

• DWTS Seasons: Maks (Pro since Season 2), Peta (Pro since Season 13)
• Met: During their time as pros and on Broadway's *Burn the Floor*
• Status: Married (July 2017)
• Children: Two sons

Maks and Peta’s relationship is a classic DWTS-era romance, marked by on-again, off-again dating before a dramatic on-stage proposal in 2015. They officially tied the knot in 2017 and have since focused on building their family. Their journey has been public, including their struggles with infertility, which they shared openly, adding a layer of vulnerability to their celebrity status.

2025 Update: In late 2025, Maks and Peta have been candid about their family life, discussing whether their children will follow them into the world of professional dance. Maks, who has largely stepped away from competing, has expressed contentment with his current role as a father and husband, hinting that a full-time return to the show is unlikely, preferring guest appearances and supporting his family. Their focus has shifted to parenting and various joint projects outside of the main competition.

Valentin "Val" Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson

• DWTS Seasons: Val (Pro since Season 13), Jenna (Pro since Season 18)
• Met: As pros on *Dancing with the Stars*
• Status: Married (April 2019)
• Children: One son

Val and Jenna, another powerhouse pro-pro couple, began dating in 2015 and married in a stunning ceremony in 2019. They are often seen as the modern face of the DWTS family, frequently collaborating on the show and in various dance specials. Their relationship is known for its supportive and passionate dynamic, often showcased on social media.

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2025 Update: Val and Jenna are extremely active in 2025, celebrating major milestones with their young son. They also recently took on a new professional challenge by hosting the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS) Awards in Los Angeles, expanding their roles beyond the ballroom. Jenna was also notably a supportive figure to Val during his partnership with Alix Earle in the most recent season, underscoring their strong marital partnership both on and off the dance floor.

From Ballroom Partners to Life Partners: Pro-Celeb Success Stories

The most famous love stories on *DWTS* often begin with the celebrity-pro pairing. The intense, often intimate, nature of the training process can quickly turn professional chemistry into real-life romance. Kym Johnson and Robert Herjavec are the gold standard for this trajectory.

Kym Johnson-Herjavec and Robert Herjavec

• DWTS Seasons: Kym (Pro since Season 3), Robert (Celebrity, Season 20)
• Met: Partnered on Season 20 (2015)
• Status: Married (July 2016)
• Children: Twins, a boy and a girl

The romance between the *Shark Tank* star and the veteran pro was a whirlwind, starting almost immediately after they were paired in Season 20. Robert, who was previously married, found a new chapter in his life with Kym. Their relationship quickly blossomed, leading to an engagement in 2016 and a wedding later that year.

2025 Update: Kym and Robert celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary in 2025, a significant milestone for any Hollywood couple. Robert has been open about how his mother’s love for the show inspired him to join, which ultimately led him to his wife. Their story is a powerful counter-narrative to the "DWTS Curse," proving that the show can be the catalyst for starting a lasting marriage, rather than ending one.

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The Pro-Pro Marriages: The Unbreakable Bonds of the Ballroom

While the celebrity romances grab headlines, the professional dancers form the core of the show’s relationships. These pro-pro marriages are built on a shared understanding of the grueling schedule, the physical demands, and the unique pressures of the ballroom spotlight.

Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov (The Vow Renewal)

• DWTS Seasons: Both Pros since Season 28
• Met: Before *DWTS* (Married in 2014)
• Status: Married (since 2014)
• Children: One daughter

Daniella and Pasha are unique in that they were already a long-established married couple when they joined *DWTS* in Season 28. Their shared background in competitive ballroom dancing gives them a unique stability. They are one of the few couples to have successfully navigated the show's intense environment while already being married, proving that their bond is truly "unbreakable."

2025 Update: In one of the most heartwarming recent updates, Daniella and Pasha celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary in July 2025 by renewing their vows in a romantic ceremony in Cabo, Mexico. Their two-year-old daughter, Nikita, was present, making the event a beautiful family affair. This public reaffirmation of their commitment highlights their status as one of the most enduring and supportive couples in the DWTS family.

The Contrast: Emma Slater and Sasha Farber (The Divorce)

• DWTS Seasons: Both Pros since Season 17
• Met: As pros on *DWTS*
• Status: Married (2018), Separated/Divorced (2022)

No story about married DWTS couples is complete without acknowledging the one that didn't last. Emma Slater and Sasha Farber’s romance was a fan favorite, culminating in an on-air proposal in 2016 and a wedding in 2018. However, the pressures of their careers and the intense nature of the show eventually took their toll. They announced their separation in 2022.

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Their split serves as a poignant reminder that even the strongest ballroom romances can struggle under the weight of the spotlight and the "DWTS Curse" phenomenon, which often affects those closest to the show. Despite the divorce, they have maintained a professional and respectful working relationship, which is a testament to their deep-rooted friendship and maturity.

Defying the Curse: Why Ballroom Love Lasts

The success of these *Dancing with the Stars* marriages, particularly the pro-pro pairings, boils down to a few key factors that defy the so-called curse:

• Shared Understanding: Professional dancers like Jenna and Val or Daniella and Pasha understand the relentless schedule, the physical pain, and the emotional exhaustion of the show. This shared experience is a powerful foundation for a marriage.
• Built-in Trust: For couples like Kym and Robert, the relationship was forged in a crucible of intense, focused time. They saw each other at their most vulnerable, eliminating the slow-burn uncertainty of a traditional courtship.
• The Family Unit: The Chmerkovskiy and Herjavec families have prioritized their children, moving the focus from the competitive ballroom to a stable home life, which is crucial for long-term marital success.

From a romantic engagement on the dance floor to a quiet vow renewal in Cabo, the married couples of *Dancing with the Stars* continue to be a source of fascination and inspiration. They prove that while the "DWTS Curse" may be a convenient headline for celebrity breakups, the show is equally capable of creating a powerful "DWTS Blessing" that lasts well beyond the final mirrorball trophy. Their 2025 updates confirm that their love stories are still very much in motion, dancing to the rhythm of marriage, family, and a shared passion for the art that brought them together.