Dancing With the Stars Family Member Shares Emotional Health News: ‘It’s Only Right… ’ (2024)

Buy Now

Image: Getty Images

1/13

<p>The <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> pros are carving out the next generation of dancers. Several of the pros have found love — both on and off the show — and started families of their own, and a few believe their children even have the potential to fill their shoes on the hit reality dancing competition. <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/gallery/dancing-with-the-stars-pros-dating/" target="_blank">Which <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> pros have children</a>? Keep reading to find out.</p><p><a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/tag/dancing-with-the-stars/" target="_blank"><em>Dancing With the Stars</em></a> is ABC’s popular dance competition where professional dancers team up with celebrities to win the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The show premiered in 2005 and is currently on its 32nd season. Each week, competitors are eliminated based on public voting and scores received from the judges. Season 32 of <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> premiered on September 26, 2023, and features the judging trio of Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough. The Season 32 hosts are former pro julianne hough and former winner Alfonso Ribeiro.</p><p>As new pros join the show each season and longtime pros turn their focus on raising the next generation of pros, fans may be curious about the children of their favorite dancers. Keep reading for everything there is to know about the <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> pros’ children.</p>

Image: Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson

2/13

<p>Val Chmerkovskiy joined <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> in Season 13, while Jenna Johnson joined in Season 23. They married on April 13, 2019. Val and Jenna welcome their first child, a son named Rome Valentin, on Jan. 10, 2023. “𝕆𝕦𝕣 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕚𝕤 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕕 🤍 1.10.2023,” they captioned an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSukKOPte1/" target="_blank">Instagram photo</a> at the time.</p>

Image: AFP via Getty Images

3/13

<p>Maks Chmerkovskiy joined as a pro on <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> in Season 2, while Peta Murgatroyd joined in Season 13. They married on July 8, 2017. Maks and Peta welcomed their first child, a son named Shai Aleksander, on January 4, 2017, six months before their wedding. Their second son, Rio, was born on June 18, 2023. “Happy Father’s Day to me! #MadeInPeta,” Maks captioned an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtpncNlvyme/" target="_blank">Instagram post </a>of him holding his and Peta’s second child.</p><p>Maks left <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> after Season 25 and vowed he wouldn’t return to the show. “I’m a dad, I’m a husband,” he said while appearing on <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/wp-admin/_wp_link_placeholder" target="_blank"><em>The Real</em></a> in 2018. “Responsibilities are a little different, your chemistry changes when you have a child, things look different, they seem different.”</p>

Image: Getty Images

4/13

<p>Lindsay Arnold joined as a pro on <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> in Season 16. She shares two children with her husband, Samuel Lightner Cusick, who she married in 2015. Linsday and her husband welcomed their first child, a daughter named Sage Jill on November 2, 2020. Their second child, daughter June, on May 3, 2023.</p><p>In August 2022, Lindsay announced that she was leaving <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> to focus on her family. “I wanted to let you all know that I have decided not to be a part of <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> this season,” she wrote alongside an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch8ONjIvj5B/" target="_blank">Instagram photo</a> of her, her husband and Sage. She continued, “This has been one of the hardest decisions to make but ultimately I have chosen what I feel is best for myself and my family.”</p><p>Her youngest sister, Rylee Arnold, joined the cast of Season 32 of <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> and finished in 6th place.</p>

Image: Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella

5/13

<p>Artem Chigvintsev joined <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> as a pro in Season 19. During Season 25, he was paired with pro wrestler Nikki Bella. About a year after they were eliminated, the two reconnected and began dating. They got engaged in 2019 and welcomed their son, Matteo Artemovich, on July 31, 2020. “7/31/2020 💙 Our baby boy is here and we couldn’t be HAPPIER and more in LOVE! Everyone is safe and healthy,” Nikki captioned a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZoxn7lGa3/" target="_blank">photo</a> of the newborn’s tiny hand wrapped around her’s and Artem’s.</p><p>The couple tied the knot in Paris in August 2022, documenting the nuptials for a four-part special that aired on E! titled <em>Nikki Bella Says I Do</em>.</p><p>In a November 2023 interview with <a href="https://www.etonline.com/artem-chigvintsev-hopes-son-matteo-and-other-dancing-with-the-stars-kids-will-continue-legacy" target="_blank"><em>Entertainment Tonight</em></a>, Artem shared that Matteo already feels comfortable on the dance floor and might have a future as a pro on <em>Dancing With the Stars</em>. “He’s part of the crew. I feel like the dance legacy needs to continue and hopefully it’ll better the juniors. Then, who knows, all of our children will be actually doing it right,” he said.</p>

Image: Getty Images

6/13

<p>Pasha Pashkov joined <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> as a pro in Season 28, while Daniella Karagach was bumped up to pro from troupe member the following season. The couple had tied the knot five years prior in June 2014. They welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Nikita, on May 30, 2023. “Nikita🤍5.30.23,” they wrong alongside several <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs6zWJhv9-0/" target="_blank">photos</a> of them holding their newborn daughter.</p><p>Their daughter may also have a spot on <em>Dancing With the Stars </em>and she has already found a partner in Jenna and Val’s son Rome, who is just 4 months older than her. “They already connected hands at, like, zero years old so I think we got some strong chemistry going,” Jenna told <em>Entertainment Tonight</em> in November 2023 of Rome and Nikita. “It’s going to be an arranged dance partnership.” Pasha added: “I think they’re going to be dance partners.<em>Dancing With the Stars: Babies</em>, coming soon!</p><p>During Season 32, Pasha and Daniella made history as the first married couple to compete in a <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> finale.</p>

Image: Getty Images

7/13

<p>Gleb Savchenko joined <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> as a pro in Season 16. He and his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova, share two daughters: Olivia, 12, and Zlata, 5. Gleb and Elena announced their split in November 2020 and finalized their divorce nearly one year later in October 2021.</p><p>Amid the former couple’s divorce, Gleb opened up about co-parenting Olivia and Zlata during an appearance on the <em>Whine Down with Jana Kramer</em> podcast. “Life happens and we just keep moving. You’ve got to keep moving. You’ve got to do what’s best for you,” he told host Jana Kramer, who was his former partner on Season 23. “In my situation, I love Elena. I have huge respect [for] her — of course, she’s the mother of my kids … So it’s hard at times because, you know, no one’s perfect, but you have to communicate.”</p>

Image: Getty Images

8/13

<p>Kym Johnson joined<em> Dancing With the Stars</em> as a pro during Season 3. During her 20th season, she met her future-husband when she was paired with Shark Tank star and businessman Robert Herjavec. The duo instantly hit it off and went on to tie the knot in 2016. They welcomed twins, Haven Mae and Hudson Robert in 2018. “I never thought my heart could feel so full. We’re so in love with our little angels. Born at 7.44am and 7.45am 4/23/18,” Kym wrote alongside a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh77KY2nvNi" target="_blank">black-and-white photo</a> of Robert holding the two newborns.</p><p>After meeting Robert, she took a break from <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> before returning for one last final season during Season 24.</p>

Image: Sharna Burgess and Brian Austin Green

9/13

<p>Sharna Burgess joined the show as a pro during Season 16. She and actor Brian Austin Green started dating in October 2020 and went on to compete together on <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> Season 30. The couple placed 13th and the season also marked Sharna’s final season as a pro. Sharna and Brian welcomed their first child together, son Zane Walker Green, on June 28, 2022. Brian is also a dad to son Kassius Lijah, 21, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Vanessa Marcil, as well as sons Noah Shannon, 11, Bodhi Ransom, 9, and Journey River, 7, whom he shares with ex-wife Megan Fox.</p><p>In September 2022, Brian proposed to Sharna on his 50th birthday with the help of his sons. “Bri says, ‘Baby come with me, I’ve got to show you something.’ We head into our bedroom and I start to get these feelings,” Sharna recalled on the couple’s podcast, Oldish. “The kids come in and Noah is holding Zane and Journey is holding this little red Cartier box. They stand next to Bri and he says, ‘Would you spend the rest of your life with us?’ “</p>

Image: FilmMagic

10/13

<p>Witney Carson joined Dancing With the Stars in Season 18 and won the Mirrorball Trophy the following year with now-host Alfonso Ribeiro. She and her husband, Carson McAllister, whom she married in January 2016, welcomed their first son, Kevin Leo McAllister, on January 3, 2021. “Named after his grandpa who sent him down to us. Born on Jan. 3rd 2021 ✨ 7lbs. 2oz. 21” long! My little Leo, I love you more than words can express. You are the most precious gift. My life will forever be changed by your sweet spirit. Welcome to the world Leo 🦁,” she captioned a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJuMNASBRJu/" target="_blank">photo of Leo</a>. The couple welcomed their second son, Jet Carson McAllister, on Mother’s Day 2023. “My boys 🥹😭💙 could there be a better Mother’s Day gift?? We are on cloud nine and soaking in every second,” Witney wrote alongside a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CsPiM0AvZDb/" target="_blank">photo of her</a> posing with both her sons and her husband following Jet’s birth.</p><p>Shortly after Jet’s birth, Witney announced that she <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/690097/witney-carson-leave-dancing-with-the-stars/" target="_blank">would be leaving <em>Dancing With the Stars</em></a> and not returning for Season 32. “You guys know that family is the most important thing to me, and we just really felt that moving our entire family across the country right now was not for us,” She explained in a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@witneycarsonofficial/video/7272102483609062687?_r=1&_t=8fCVBfAJCSE" target="_blank">TikTok video</a> posted on August 27, 2023. “Leo’s at an age where he needs consistency and dependability, and he hasn’t had that ever since he’s been born. We’re just really trying to give him that right now. I also feel like I’m not quite mentally and physically ready.”</p>

Image: WireImage

11/13

<p>Louis van Amstel was one of the first original pro dancers on the series. He left after Season 21 but returned to compete in Season 31 after being personally requested by his celebrity partner Cheryl Ladd. Louis and his ex-husband Joshua Lancaster, whom he married in 2017, adopted both of their sons from the foster care system at 10 years old — Daniel, now 14, from Colorado and Jonny, now 13, from Nevada in 2020.</p><p>“Everyone wants [to adopt] the babies but we didn’t. My love language is traveling. With a baby, for the first three years, forget any traveling!” Louis told <a href="https://people.com/parents/louis-van-amstel-on-why-he-adopted-older-kids-exclusive/" target="_blank"><em>People</em></a> in January 2023. “Jonny had never seen an ocean in his life. For a family like ours that loves to travel and has been all over the world, I want my kids to have that experience.” He added that he and Joshua started the conversation about adoption not long after they got married: “It became very clear that we were going to adopt older kids in the United States … It was always the plan.”</p><p>Louis opened up about his and Joshua’s divorce in October 2023 on Instagram, telling his fans in an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyeF2mbp7cj/" target="_blank">emotional video</a>, “Yes, I am divorced officially. We’re doing good. We’re working through this all … But it’s not easy. I’m alive and we’re working through this, but I’m not even going to apologize if I’m not posting because when I have something really sincere to share, I will do it.”</p><p>“If I didn’t have dance, I don’t know how I would deal with all that is going on,” he concluded.</p>

Image: AFP via Getty Images

12/13

<p>Allison Holker joined <em>Dancing With the Stars</em> as a pro during Season 19 before exiting the series after Season 23. She was married to the late professional dancer Stephen “tWitch” Boss. The couple met in 2010 on the dance competition show <em>So You Think You Can</em> <em>Dance</em> and married three years later. Allison was already a mom to daughter Weslie Renae Fowler, whom Stephen adopted. The couple then welcomed Maddox Laurel Boss on March 27, 2016, followed by daughter Zaia Boss on November 6, 2019.</p><p>On December 13, 2022, Stephen died by suicide. During her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ROdekk6-U" target="_blank">first interview</a> since his death, Allison shared how she shared how she and her kids are coping. “There’s been some really hard conversations. To us, Daddy’s in the stars. So we can go outside and talk to him whenever we want,” she explained.</p>

Image: Getty Images

13/13

<p>Mark Ballas joined <em>Dancing With the Stars</em>during Season 5 and remained on the show for 20 seasons on and off until he announced his departure following his Season 31 victory. He returned to the ballroom to perform during the Season 32 finale with his winning partner from the previous season, TikTok star Charli D’Amelio, and also announced that he had just welcomed his first child with wife BC Jean.</p><p>After the finale, he shared the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0fPa-ZPcGw/" target="_blank">first photo</a> of his son, Banksi Wylde Ballas, who was born a month prior on November 5, 2023. In the shot, the newborn is wrapped in a blanket and his tiny hand holds his parents’ hands. “Welcome to Earth my son ✨ Banksi Wylde Ballas 11 / 5 / 23,” Mark wrote in the caption.</p>