Adele Zaikman has emerged victorious in the inaugural season of *Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro*, marking a significant milestone in her dancing career. The talented ballroom dancer from Israel will now take her place as a professional dancer in the upcoming 35th season of the acclaimed series, set to premiere on 15 September.
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Zaikman’s journey on *The Next Pro* saw her compete against 12 other skilled dancers, all vying for a coveted spot on the main show. The series, hosted by Robert Irwin, involved a series of challenges designed to evaluate each dancer’s skill across a variety of categories, including choreography, technique, and storytelling. Judging the competitors were Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas, alongside guest judges such as Derek Hough and Witney Carson, both familiar faces from the *Dancing with the Stars* main stage.
During the finale, which aired on 31 August, Zaikman was announced as the victor, a moment she described as a culmination of her dedication and sacrifice. Overwhelmed with emotion, she expressed, “I just feel like this is a celebration of all the sacrifices that I’ve made. It’s just like a big ‘I made it’ moment.”
Originally from Israel, Zaikman was born to Ukrainian parents and is fluent in three languages: Russian, Hebrew, and English. Her passion for dance ignited at the tender age of six, prompting her to devote her childhood to the art form. “I didn’t have a regular childhood. Everybody was going to parties. I did not. I went to the dance studio, and I practised,” she revealed during her time on *The Next Pro*.
However, her dance aspirations faced a significant hurdle when she was diagnosed with scoliosis at 13. With a strict requirement to wear a brace for 20 hours a day, Zaikman managed to find a way to squeeze in four hours of dance practice whenever she could. “Those were the happiest hours of my life. It saved me. I don’t know what I would do without dance,” she shared poignantly.
Zaikman has made a name for herself on the international competitive dance scene, accumulating numerous accolades. In 2022, she achieved a remarkable victory at the Blackpool Dance Festival, one of the most prestigious events in ballroom dancing history. Additionally, she has secured notable placements in the 2019 festival and at various championships in Dublin and the Netherlands.
Earlier this year, she performed alongside Romanian dancer Cătălin Caucă, who referred to her as both his dance partner and “life partner”. However, after the announcement of their split in August, the nature of their relationship remains unclear as Zaikman prepares to embark on this new chapter in her career.
Derek Hough, who served as a guest judge throughout *The Next Pro*, took note of Zaikman’s exceptional talent early on, bestowing her with the affectionate nickname “Rolls-Royce” for her polished dance style, reminiscent of luxury and excellence. “Adele, you dance expensive. You have a full understanding of your mechanics,” he praised her, moving Zaikman to tears.
Following her triumph on *The Next Pro*, Zaikman has officially claimed her place in the *Dancing with the Stars* ballroom. Mark Ballas, one of the judges on the spinoff series, remarked on her dynamic presence, stating, “Striking performances in every dance that you’ve done on this stage. It’s been an honour to watch and to judge you.”
While Zaikman has expressed a playful ambition for her dream partner to be Justin Bieber, fans will have to wait until 2 September to discover which celebrity she will be paired with for the upcoming season.
As Zaikman steps into the spotlight of season 35, her journey continues to inspire aspiring dancers and dedicated fans alike, highlighting her resilience and passion for dance amid adversity. Her story is one of triumph and dedication, poised to captivate audiences as she graces the prestigious stage of *Dancing with the Stars*.