Karina Smirnoff has dazzled audiences for years with her fancy footwork and fiery spirit as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars. With a record-setting 13 season run on the hit show, this ballroom dancing dynamo has turned her artistry into celebrity status. But when she’s not burning up the dance floor, fans are curious about Karina’s personal life. So who is the Ukrainian-born talent dating now?
From her past high-profile relationships to her newest role as a mother, here’s a glimpse into Karina Smirnoff’s dating history, love life, husband, baby father and family status today.
Karina Smirnoff – A Ballroom Queen with Humble Roots
While she lives in Hollywood now, Karina Smirnoff originated from much humbler beginnings. She was born Karina Smirnova on January 2, 1978 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The only child of parents who owned a liquor store, Karina discovered dance at the young age of 5. She began studying ballet but soon found her passion in ballroom.
At just 11 years old, Smirnoff started competing in ballroom dance competitions. Her talent was undeniable, and by 1993 at age 15 she had immigrated to America to pursue dance as a career. Her formal education includes time at Nerinx Hall High School in St. Louis, Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx, and graduating from the prestigious Bronx High School of Science.
In Summary of Who Karina Smirnoff is Dating Now (2023):
- Karina Smirnoff is a professional ballroom dancer who appeared on 13 seasons of Dancing with the Stars
- She was born in Ukraine in 1978 and started dancing competitively at just 11 years old
- She won Season 13 of DWTS with partner J.R. Martinez in 2011
- Over the years she’s been linked romantically to various celebrity partners and fellow dancers
- In April 2020 she gave birth to her first child, Theo Gabriel, with boyfriend Justinas Duknauskas
- Though she has many entertainment pursuits, motherhood seems to be Karina’s focus nowadays
- It’s unclear if she will return to DWTS or who she may be dating now, but her fans continue to cheer her on!
Lighting Up the Stage on Dancing with the Stars
After competitive success in amateur dance competitions, Smirnoff turned professional by the late 1990s. She competed around the world with various partners, quickly becoming a highly decorated champion in the process. But her big break came in 2006 when she joined the cast of the new ABC reality show Dancing with the Stars for its third season.
Paired with actor Mario Lopez, Smirnoff immediately made it to the competition finals and finished in second place. This impressive debut marked the beginning of an astounding 13 season run on DWTS as a regular pro dancer, the longest tenure of any female pro on the show.
Over the years she’s been paired with celebrities like Billy Ray Cyrus, Floyd Mayweather, Mario, Steve Wozniak, and more. Her patience and persistence paid off in 2011 when she finally won the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 13 with partner J.R. Martinez.
So Who Has Karina Smirnoff Been Romantically Linked To? (Dating History)
With her dazzling dance skills, bubbly persona, and striking beauty, it’s no surprise that Karina has attracted her fair share of suitors both in and out of the ballroom. As a young dancer she was in a long-term relationship with fellow pro Slavik Kryklyvyy from 2000-2005.
But it was her engagement to DWTS co-star Maksim Chmerkovskiy that really made headlines. The two pros, both Ukrainian immigrants, dated from 2008-2009 and were briefly engaged. Although the romance didn’t last, they maintain a friendly rapport as DWTS castmates.
Other past relationships for Karina Smirnoff include:
- 2006-2008: Actor Mario Lopez, her Season 3 DWTS partner
- 2009-2011: MLB pitcher Brad Penny, to whom she was also engaged
- 2012: Racecar driver Arie Luyendyk Jr.
- 2016-2017: NFL player Chad Ochocinco Johnson, her Season 13 DWTS partner
- 2015 engagement to entrepreneur Jason Adelman
- Current Boyfriend: Justinas Duknauskas
While she’s been linked romantically to several high-profile men over the years, Karina’s relationship status has been hush-hush for the past couple years.
Focusing on Family: Karina Smirnoff’s New Role as Mom
Lately it seems Karina’s priorities have shifted from romance to family. In April 2020 at age 42, she gave birth to her first child, a son named Theo Gabriel. The baby’s father is her boyfriend, Lithuanian businessman Justinas Duknauskas.
Becoming a mother clearly agrees with Karina, as she gushed on Instagram that Theo is “the best gift ever!” She calls motherhood an amazing blessing and adventure. Although very private about her personal life, Karina’s social media indicates she and Duknauskas are still together and raising Theo as a couple.
It seems Karina may have finally found true love – the unconditional love between mother and child. While fans don’t know much about her current partner, it’s clear from her blissful baby photos that Karina is absolutely smitten with her son.
What Other Endeavors Has Karina Pursued?
Of course, life isn’t all diaper changes and nap times. Karina has maintained and grown her multifaceted career over the years. When she’s not rocking the baby, she’s still rocking the dancefloor. Other endeavors include:
- Judging and coaching for dance competitions like ABC’s Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann
- Writing instructional dance columns for OK! magazine
- Releasing her own fitness DVD “Shape Up with Karina Smirnoff”
- Small acting roles in shows like Hannah Montana and movies like Shall We Dance?
- Broadway and theater performances in shows like Chicago
- Owning her own dance studio in New York City for a time
So while her world now revolves around her infant son, it’s clear this passionate performer has plenty of irons left in the fire when it comes to her career ambitions.
What Can We Expect from Karina Smirnoff in the Future?
While motherhood may be her focus for now, Karina’s fans still hold out hope that she’ll return to the ballroom on Dancing with the Stars someday. She confirmed she would not be part of the 2020 season, but hasn’t ruled out coming back down the road.
Many supporters felt robbed when she wasn’t part of the show’s 25th anniversary Season 29 cast despite being such an iconic pro dancer for the series. But perhaps Karina is simply savoring this special time with her new baby boy before making a triumphant return to the dance floor she knows so well.
When it comes to romance, Karina seems content with Justinus as her partner for now. She has not appeared publicly with him often and very little is known of their relationship. Whether wedding bells may ring for the dancer down the road or not, time will tell.
With her undeniable talent and passion for dance, I suspect we haven’t seen the last of Karina Smirnoff yet. This Ukrainian spitfire has already beaten long odds to achieve the American dream. So as her baby boy grows, don’t be surprised if Karina makes her way back to center stage before long.
For now, though, she seems happy embracing her new number one role in life – mother to adorable little Theo!
Karina Smirnoff Dating Full History – FAQ
1. How old is Karina Smirnoff?
Karina is currently 45 years old. She was born on January 2, 1978 in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
2. Where is Karina Smirnoff from?
Karina was born in Ukraine but immigrated to the United States in 1993 when she was 15 years old to pursue a professional dance career.
3. Is Karina Smirnoff married?
No, Karina is not currently married. She was previously engaged several times but never married.
4. Does Karina Smirnoff have kids?
Yes, Karina has one child – a son named Theo Gabriel born in April 2020. The baby’s father is her boyfriend Justinas Duknauskas.
5. How many seasons was Karina on DWTS?
Karina was a pro dancer on Dancing with the Stars for an incredible 13 seasons, more than any other female pro.
6. What are some of Karina’s biggest DWTS achievements?
Karina won season 13 with J.R. Martinez. She also came in 2nd place twice, 3rd place once, and made it to the semi-finals multiple times.
7. Has Karina Smirnoff done any acting?
Yes, Karina has had small acting roles on shows like Hannah Montana and in movies like Shall We Dance.
8. What other projects has Karina been involved in?
She has released a fitness DVD, judged dance competitions, coached for ABC’s Dance War, and wrote dance columns for magazines.
9. Who has Karina dated in the past?
Some of her past relationships include fellow DWTS pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Slavik Kryklyvyy, MLB player Brad Penny, and celebrities like Mario Lopez and Chad Ochocinco Johnson.