What is the 'Strictly Curse'? A look at all the couples who split after appearing on 'DWTS' and 'Strictly Come Dancing'
When it comes to shows like 'Dancing With The Stars' or the UK edition titled 'Strictly Come Dancing', it all boils down to having the right chemistry, along with skill and technicalities. For the celebs taking part in the show, having a great partnership with their pro-dancer is key, as it can make or break their run on the show.
Season 30 of 'DWTS' saw NBA player Iman Shumpert and dance partner Daniella Karagach bag the mirrorball trophy despite having a rough start. However, they managed to pull off the much-deserved win thanks to their strong partnership. But not everyone has the same luck when it comes to keeping things strictly professional. Both shows are no strangers to romances and showmances and more often than not, this tends to have some real-life repercussions. Known as the 'Strictly Curse', it is not uncommon for celebs and pros on the show to split from their partners during or after their season. Here's a look at a few couples who caved to the curse.
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Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev
When Nikki Bella took on Season 25 of 'DWTS', she was still engaged to wrestler John Cena. However, the pair split and she began seeing her partner, Artem Chigvintsev. While the pair is yet to tie the knot, they share a son together.
Julianne Hough and Hélio Castroneves
The Season 5 'DWTS' champions sparked rumors when they kissed on air. What added fuel to the fire was the fact that Hough had called off her engagement with Zach Wilson just shortly before, while Castroneves was newly single at the time, having ended things with his own fianceé.
Sasha Evans and Tony Dovolani
Sasha Evans and Tony Dovolani appeared on 'DWTS' Season 3 and it looked like there was more to the couple than just a professional partnership. Although the pair denied having a romantic relationship, Craig Schelske, Evan's husband, filed for divorce, claiming that she had been unfaithful.
Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
Joe Calzaghe met Kristina Rihanoff back on Season 7 of 'Strictly Come Dancing', which eventually led to his split from his long-time girlfriend Jo-Emma Larvin. Calzaghe and Rihanoff began dating shortly after, but broke up four years later.
Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice
On Season 13 of 'Strictly Come Dancing', Georgia May Foote was paired with Giovanni Pernice. At the time, she was seeing her 'Coronation Street' co-star Sean Ward. Their relationship didn't last long, seeing that she and Ward split after the 'Strictly Come Dancing' season ended and she began seeing Pernice. Interestingly enough, that relationship ended by the time Season 14 of 'Coronation Street' began.
Katya Jones and Seann Walsh
Season 16 saw Katya Jones and Seann Walsh certainly spark rumors when the pair was pictured kissing each other. At the time, Jones was married to pro dancer Neil Jones while Walsh was dating Rebecca Humphries. While the pair called the incident a "drunken mistake", Katya Jones is no longer with Neil Jones, and Walsh and Humphries split as well.
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton may have won Season 16 of 'Strictly Come Dancing' but it came at a price, seeing that she split with her boyfriend Sam Tucknott. Tucknott allegedly found messages that Dooley had shared with Clifton, prompting the couple to split.
Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin
Gordon Ramsay's daughter Tilly Ramsay was on Season 19 of the show, alongside pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin. The pair seemed to have grown close over rehearsal and it didn't help that Kuzmin's girlfriend Nicole Wirt posted cryptic messages on social media. As of now, the couple is still together.
Adam Peaty and Eirianedd Munro
It looks like the 'Strictly Curse' is back at it again, as Adam Peaty and Eirianedd Munro were the latest couple to announce their split. The athlete, who was paired with Katya Jones on his 'Strictly Come Dancing' run last year, took to Instagram to announce the separation. He wrote -- "Eiri and I have decided to go our separate ways. We have enjoyed a wonderful three years together, 2 of those with our gorgeous son George. Our priority has always been to provide the happiest and healthiest home environment for him, and right now that means ending our romantic relationship. I could not ask for a greater mother for George and I am so grateful to Eiri for her amazing support over the last three years. Eiri and George, I’m sorry for letting you down. My only interest is for the well-being of our family at this difficult time so I ask that our privacy is respected and I won’t be saying anything further."