DWTS Winners Adele Zaikman and Allen Genkin Confirm Romance

Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro winner Adele Zaikman and fellow competitor Allen Genkin have officially confirmed their romantic relationship. The couple went public with their romance on September 30, 2026, when Genkin shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to Zaikman on social media to celebrate her 25th birthday.

The pair first crossed paths while competing on the inaugural season of the reality dance spinoff series, DWTS: The Next Pro, which aired earlier that summer. Zaikman triumphed to win the competition and secure a spot as a pro on the main series for season 35. Genkin reached the semi-finals before finishing in fourth place. Despite the competitive environment, their intense chemistry on the dance floor quickly captured the attention of fans and sparked widespread speculation about an off-screen romance.

Genkin, 36, chose Zaikman’s 25th birthday to put an end to the rumors. He posted a carousel of intimate photos on Instagram featuring the couple holding each other close.

“Happy birthday to the most beautiful queen,” Genkin wrote on Instagram on September 30. “I want to wish you happiness, health, love and all the success that life has to offer, you deserve everything you dreamt of and more. Watching you shine like a star that you are has been a blessing and honour of mine to be by your side.”

Genkin added that meeting Zaikman was the best thing to come out of his time on the spinoff series. He described their connection as something truly special, called himself the happiest and luckiest man in the world, and praised her infectious energy and inspiring talent.

From On-Screen Chemistry to Real-Life Romance

For weeks leading up to the announcement, fans and fellow cast members tracked every hint dropped by the professional dancers. The couple frequently collaborated off-camera. This included teaching a packed dance class together in mid-September at Playground in Los Angeles, where they drew a massive waiting list of enthusiastic students.

Speculation reached a fever pitch just days before the official announcement. Genkin posted a sultry choreography video set to The Weeknd’s track “Acquainted,” referencing judge Derek Hough’s running nickname for Zaikman by captioning it with the hashtag “#rollsroyce.”

However, just days before the confirmation, Zaikman played coy during an appearance on the Fire Chats: The Mindfire Pod podcast. When asked by host Carrie Berk if they should date, Zaikman blushed. She admitted they received daily messages from fans shipping them together, though she playfully insisted at the time that she would let everyone know if anything changed.

Friends and Co-Stars React to the News

The public confirmation brought immediate relief and excitement to their fellow dancers and friends from the franchise. Zaikman’s season 35 celebrity partner, Conner Leavitt, chimed in on the announcement post with a cheeky comment asking, “So I don’t need to keep this a secret anymore?”

Other dance stars from the network also celebrated the public reveal. Fellow Next Pro contestant Selena Hamilton wrote, “Secrets out thank goodness,” while pro dancer Hailey Bills commented, “IVE BEEN WAITING.”

The relationship adds another chapter to the long-standing tradition of showmances and real-life romances blossoming within the Dancing With the Stars family, joining an elite group of couples who found love on the ballroom floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Adele Zaikman?

Adele Zaikman is a professional dancer who won the inaugural season of the ABC spinoff series Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro. Her victory earned her a spot as a pro dancer on season 35 of the main Dancing With the Stars franchise.

Who is Allen Genkin?

Allen Genkin is a professional dancer and competitor who appeared on the first season of Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, where he placed fourth in the competition after reaching the semi-finals.

When did Adele Zaikman and Allen Genkin confirm their relationship?

The couple officially confirmed their relationship on September 30, 2026, when Allen Genkin shared a public birthday tribute on Instagram celebrating Adele Zaikman’s 25th birthday.

How did Adele Zaikman and Allen Genkin meet?

The couple met while competing against each other during the first season of the reality dance competition series DWTS: The Next Pro in the summer of 2026.

Did other DWTS cast members know about the relationship?

Yes, many of their fellow cast members and dance partners-including Conner Leavitt and Selena Hamilton-revealed in social media comments that they had been keeping the romance a secret prior to the public announcement.