Ever watch a pro dancer and think, how on earth are they doing that with a partner who has zero rhythm? That was basically Karina Smirnoff’s life for eighteen seasons. She didn't just dance; she survived.
She dragged Steve Wozniak across the floor. She somehow made "The Situation" look like he belonged in a ballroom. Most people remember her for the high-octane energy and the technical perfection, but the real story of Karina dancing with the stars is actually about the grind of being a world-class athlete in a reality TV world.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to look back at how long she stayed. From the jump in Season 3, she was a force. But after years of near-misses and one massive win, she eventually decided she’d had enough of the spray tans and the 4:00 AM rehearsals.
The Winning Moment Nobody Expected
For years, Karina was the "always a bridesmaid" pro. She came so close with Mario Lopez in her debut season, losing by a hair to Emmitt Smith. People still talk about that Mario Lopez freestyle—it was basically the gold standard for years.
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Then came Season 13.
She was paired with J.R. Martinez, an Iraq War veteran and actor. Nobody had them as the frontrunners on day one. But J.R. had this heart that people just latched onto. Watching them win that Mirrorball Trophy was one of those rare "human" moments on a show that usually feels pretty produced.
"I’m just so grateful that I was able to be part of the journey to help get her first mirror ball trophy," Martinez said after the win. "She deserves it."
It took her ten seasons to get that trophy. Ten. Most people would have quit after five.
Why Karina Dancing With The Stars Just... Stopped
So, what happened? Why did she leave?
In early 2015, right before Season 20, she dropped the bombshell. She wasn't coming back. She posted a long thing on Facebook about how she’d been praying and thinking, and basically, she wanted to be an author. She’d just released a book called We're Just Not That Into You — Dating Disasters from the Trenches.
Kinda fitting, given her high-profile dating history on the show (remember the Maksim Chmerkovskiy engagement? Yeah, that was a whole thing).
But there's more to it than just writing books. Being a pro on that show is grueling. Your body falls apart. She’d dealt with injuries, like a nasty one during rehearsals with Jacoby Jones in Season 16 when she tried to do a flip.
By the time she officially hung up the heels after Season 22, the show was changing. The "OG" pros were being cycled out for younger talent. She had a dance studio to run in California. She had a life to start that didn't involve teaching a retired jockey how to Cha-Cha at 7:00 AM.
Her Partner History (The Good, The Bad, and The Woz)
If you look at who she was paired with, it’s a bizarre list of humans:
- The Athletes: Floyd Mayweather Jr., Jacoby Jones, Apolo Anton Ohno.
- The Wildcards: Steve Wozniak (literally the Apple co-founder), Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino.
- The Heartbreakers: Aaron Carter, Ralph Macchio.
- The Winners: J.R. Martinez.
She was the first woman to reach the British Professional Final with four different partners. That's a nerd-level dance stat, but it matters because it shows she could adapt to anyone. Even if that "anyone" was Billy Ray Cyrus.
Is a Return to the Ballroom Actually Happening?
Recently, the rumor mill started spinning again. In August 2025, she was spotted at a studio in LA with current pros Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov.
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Daniella literally called her the "GOAT" on Instagram.
Naturally, the fans went nuts. "Bring her back!" "We need Queen Karina!" The truth is, the show loves a legacy return. We've seen it with other pros. At 47, she's still in better shape than 99% of the population, and she’s been seen practicing her technique.
Does the show need her? Maybe. Does she need the show? Probably not. She’s built a brand beyond the ballroom, but the door never seems 100% closed.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Career
A lot of fans think she was just "the intense one." And yeah, she was tough. She expected a lot. But you have to remember she was a five-time U.S. National Champion before she ever stepped foot on a TV set.
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She wasn't there to be a reality star; she was there to win.
If you’re looking to channel that same energy or just want to understand the technical side of what made her so good, you should look into her "Shape Up with Karina" series. It’s less about "dancing like a star" and more about the insane core strength required to move like that.
Your Next Steps for Following the Ballroom Circuit:
- Watch the Season 13 Freestyle: If you haven't seen her and J.R. Martinez’s winning dance lately, go find it. It’s the perfect example of storytelling through movement.
- Check Out Her Studio: If you’re in California, her studio is still a hub for high-level ballroom training.
- Follow the Season 34 Casting: With the recent studio sightings, keep an eye on the official pro reveal for the upcoming season; legacy cameos are becoming a staple of the newer format.
- Study the Technique: Look for her older competitive clips with Slavik Kryklyvyy—that’s where you see the raw, unfiltered world champion version of her that the show only hinted at.