The 10 Most Shocking And Lasting Relationships On Dancing With The Stars (Updated December 2025)

The ballroom floor of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) has proven to be an unexpected hotbed for real-life romance, defying the skepticism of fans who often dismiss the intense chemistry as mere "showmance." As of December 2025, the show’s legacy is defined not just by the coveted mirrorball trophy, but by the surprising number of celebrity-pro and pro-pro pairings who have found lasting love, marriage, and even started families, creating a compelling, off-screen drama that keeps viewers hooked season after season.

The unique, high-pressure environment of the competition—involving hundreds of hours of close-contact rehearsals—often forges bonds stronger than friendship, leading to some of the most enduring relationships in reality television history. While many celebrity contestants arrive with partners and fall victim to the infamous "DWTS curse," a select few have managed to turn their intense partnership into a beautiful, lifelong commitment.

The Legends of Lasting Love: DWTS Marriages That Defied the Odds

The true measure of the show’s romantic impact lies in the couples who have gone from dance partners to spouses, proving that the intense ballroom chemistry was anything but fake. These marriages form the bedrock of the DWTS romantic legacy.

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Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson

Often considered the golden couple of the DWTS professional dancers, Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson first met when Jenna joined the show as a troupe member in 2014. Their relationship evolved from a casual friendship to a serious romance, which they made official in 2018 with a stunning proposal. The couple married in 2019 and welcomed their son, Rome, in 2023, solidifying their status as the ultimate DWTS power couple. Their journey is a perfect example of a successful "pro-pro romance" that blossomed entirely within the show’s orbit.

Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson

The romance between Shark Tank star Robert Herjavec and professional Kym Johnson is one of the most famous examples of a celebrity-pro pairing finding true love. They were partnered in Season 20 (2015) and quickly sparked a romance that led to marriage in 2016. They welcomed twins, Hudson and Haven, in 2018, demonstrating that the show can indeed lead to a "happily ever after" for its celebrity contestants.

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert

While not a traditional celebrity-pro pairing, the relationship between six-time mirrorball champion Derek Hough and pro dancer Hayley Erbert is a cornerstone of the DWTS family. Hayley joined the show as a troupe member in 2015, and the two began dating shortly after. After years of a private relationship, Derek proposed in 2022, and they married in a beautiful ceremony in 2023. Their love story is a testament to the strong bonds formed among the professional cast, extending the show’s romantic footprint.

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The Newest Romances and Pro-Pro Drama Shaking Up 2025

The drama doesn't stop with the married couples. The professional dance troupe is a constant source of new pairings, breakups, and intriguing romantic developments, keeping the DWTS family dynamic constantly shifting, even into 2025.

The Emma Slater, Sasha Farber, and Alan Bersten Triangle

One of the most talked-about pro-pro relationships involved Emma Slater and Sasha Farber. They got engaged live on the show in 2016 and married in 2018. However, after four years of marriage, they split in 2022 and finalized their divorce in early 2024. This breakup was a major headline for the DWTS family. In a fresh development, Emma Slater is now reportedly dating fellow pro Alan Bersten, who was her partner's best friend. The new pairing of Emma Slater and Alan Bersten, which has been showcased on the DWTS: Live! Tour, has become the newest and most compelling pro-pro romance to follow in 2025.

Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant: The New Celebrity-Pro Success Story

For fans hoping for a new celebrity-pro romance, Britt Stewart and her Season 31 partner, actor Daniel Durant, delivered. After their run on the show, the couple confirmed their relationship in early 2023, making them one of the most recent celebrity-pro pairings to find lasting love outside of the competition. Their relationship proves that the magic of the celebrity-pro connection is still very much alive and not just confined to the "showmance" label.

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The Infamous 'DWTS Curse' and Its Latest Victims

While the show is responsible for creating beautiful marriages, it also has a darker, more notorious reputation: the "DWTS Curse." This is the widely recognized phenomenon where celebrity contestants, while partnered with a professional, end their pre-existing relationships or marriages shortly after their time on the show concludes. The intense physical and emotional closeness required for the competition is often cited as the catalyst.

What is the DWTS Curse?

Former pro Cheryl Burke has often discussed the curse, explaining that the long hours, close physical contact, and the emotional vulnerability of learning to dance can make a celebrity feel closer to their professional partner than their real-life spouse. This "curse" has led to the breakups of numerous couples over the years, including those involving Shannen Doherty, Mario Lopez, and more.

Recent Celebrity Breakups Tied to the Show

The curse continues to strike in recent seasons. In 2024, fans speculated that the "DWTS curse" may have played a role in the breakup of influencer Alix Earle and her boyfriend, NFL player Braxton Berrios. Although the split was not definitively attributed to the show, the timing of the breakup shortly after Alix's involvement with the season fueled the long-running narrative of the curse. This ongoing speculation keeps the topic of the DWTS curse fresh and relevant, proving that the show’s romantic impact is both constructive and destructive.

The Undeniable Power of Ballroom Chemistry

The relationships on Dancing With the Stars are a microcosm of the show's entire appeal. Whether it’s the enduring marriages of Val and Jenna, the dramatic pro-pro shifts like the Emma Slater and Alan Bersten pairing, or the persistent threat of the "DWTS curse," the show consistently generates headlines that go far beyond the dance scores. The intense training, the vulnerability of the celebrity, and the passionate nature of ballroom dance create a unique environment where real-life romance can genuinely blossom. As the seasons continue, fans will always be watching closely, not just for the perfect tango, but for the next couple to find love under the disco ball.

The list of couples who have found love on the show is long, including other memorable pairings like Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (who dated for a year), and Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough. The continued success of couples like the Chmerkovskiy-Johnsons, who now have a family, ensures that the hope for a genuine, lasting connection remains a core part of the DWTS experience.