The ballroom is a breeding ground for romance. For over 30 seasons, Dancing with the Stars has captivated audiences with dazzling routines, but the real drama often unfolds off the dance floor. While many celebrity-pro pairings are nothing more than a "showmance," a surprising number of couples have found genuine, lasting love that led to engagement, marriage, and even starting a family.
As of December 2025, the newest wedding news confirms that the magic of the mirrorball trophy extends well beyond the final curtain. From the historic first celebrity-pro marriage to the recent 2025 nuptials, here is a look at the most successful and enduring relationships that prove love can indeed conquer the cha-cha-cha and beyond.
The Ultimate List of DWTS Couples Who Said "I Do"
The intense training schedule, the vulnerability of learning a new skill, and the constant physical proximity often create an environment ripe for romance. While a handful of couples—such as Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough or Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff—had short-lived flings, the following couples proved their love was built to last, cementing their place in DWTS history.
1. Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant (The Newest Marriage)
The most recent and heartwarming addition to the DWTS marriage club is the pairing of professional dancer Britt Stewart and actor Daniel Durant. Their journey is particularly notable as Durant, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film CODA, was the show’s third deaf contestant.
- Season: Season 31 (2022)
- Relationship Timeline: Confirmed their relationship on Instagram in 2023. Durant proposed to Stewart on Christmas Eve 2023.
- Marriage Date: August 23, 2025
- Details: The couple tied the knot in a dreamy, star-studded ceremony in California, with many of their fellow DWTS pros in attendance. Their love story is a testament to connection transcending any communication barrier.
2. Kym Johnson and Robert Herjavec (The Celebrity-Pro Pioneers)
Kym Johnson and Robert Herjavec set the standard for the celebrity-pro romance. Their undeniable chemistry on the dance floor was a major talking point of their season, and unlike many showmances, it quickly turned into a serious, real-life relationship.
- Season: Season 20 (2015)
- Relationship Timeline: Began dating almost immediately after their season ended.
- Marriage Date: July 31, 2016
- Family: The couple welcomed twins, Haven Mae and Hudson Robert, in April 2018.
- Details: Herjavec, a star of Shark Tank, proposed with a massive diamond ring. Their wedding was a lavish affair at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, attended by their DWTS family.
3. Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (The Ballroom Dynasty)
Maksim “Maks” Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd are arguably the most iconic pro-pro couple to emerge from the show. While they were not dance partners, their relationship developed through their shared time as professional dancers on DWTS. Their journey was famously on-again, off-again before they finally settled down.
- Status: Pro-Pro Couple
- Relationship Timeline: Dated on and off for years, got engaged in December 2015.
- Marriage Date: July 8, 2017
- Family: They have three children together. Their first son, Shai Aleksander, was born in January 2017, just months before their wedding. Their second son, Rio John, was born in June 2023, and their third child was welcomed in 2024.
- Details: Their fairytale wedding took place at the stunning Oheka Castle in Long Island, New York.
4. Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy (The Next Generation)
Following in his older brother Maks's footsteps, Valentin “Val” Chmerkovskiy also found his spouse on the DWTS set. Jenna Johnson was a troupe member when she first met Val, but their professional relationship blossomed into one of the show's most beloved romances.
- Status: Pro-Pro Couple
- Relationship Timeline: Began dating in 2015, briefly split, and then reunited. Val proposed in June 2018.
- Marriage Date: April 13, 2019
- Family: The couple welcomed their son, Rome, in February 2023.
- Details: Their wedding was an elegant, oceanfront affair at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palo Verdes, California. Jenna wore a classic long-sleeved Vera Wang gown.
The DWTS Baby Boom: Expanding the Family
The commitment of these couples goes beyond just exchanging vows; many have started families, creating a true DWTS legacy. This "DWTS Baby Boom" adds significant topical authority to the show’s lasting impact on its participants’ personal lives.
- Maksim Chmerkovskiy & Peta Murgatroyd: Parents to three sons.
- Val Chmerkovskiy & Jenna Johnson: Parents to son, Rome.
- Kym Johnson & Robert Herjavec: Parents to twins, Haven and Hudson.
- Derek Hough & Hayley Erbert: Though Derek is now a judge, he and his wife, former troupe member Hayley Erbert, are expecting their first child, continuing the tradition of ballroom families.
- Lindsay Arnold: The professional dancer is a mother to two daughters, with her family often featured in her social media updates.
The sheer number of children born to the DWTS pros highlights how the show has become a central part of their lives, not just a job, but a place where their families are founded.
More Ballroom Romances That Ended in Marriage
While the Chmerkovskiy/Murgatroyd and Herjavec/Johnson families often steal the spotlight, a few other professionals have also found their life partners through the show's network, even if they weren't paired with a celebrity on their respective seasons.
- Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov: This pro-pro duo is a fan-favorite. They met in 2009 as dance partners, long before joining DWTS, and married in 2014. They became beloved pros on the show and welcomed their first child in 2023.
- Carson McAllister and Lindsay Arnold: While Lindsay Arnold is a pro, she actually married her high school sweetheart, Carson McAllister, in 2015. However, their wedding was a veritable DWTS reunion, with Emma Slater and Jenna Johnson serving as bridesmaids, showcasing the strong family bond among the pros.
The Enduring Power of a Showmance
The term "showmance" is often used dismissively, suggesting a relationship is only for the cameras. However, the couples listed above have proven that the intense, shared experience of Dancing with the Stars can forge bonds stronger than any reality TV script. The pressure cooker environment, the shared passion for dance, and the vulnerability required to perform live create a unique foundation for love.
From the first celebrity-pro couple to the most recent professional dancer weddings, the history of Dancing with the Stars is filled with genuine ballroom love stories. As the show continues to evolve, fans eagerly await the next season, not just for the dazzling routines, but for the possibility of witnessing another romance bloom and lead to a lifelong partnership. The dance floor remains a place where dreams—and marriages—are made.
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