Former “Dancing With the Stars” pro Karina Smirnoff was spotted at a Los Angeles dance studio on August 2, sparking rumors she will return for the show’s upcoming season.
Fans went wild when current pro Daniella Karagach posted a pic on Instagram of her and Smirnoff, 47, together on the dance floor. “Went to the studio and bumped into the GOAT,” Karagach captioned the photo. “Queen Karina. We need her back on dwts,” one fan commented, while another wrote, “best pros in the business.”
Karaguch wasn’t the only current “DWTS” pro in the building either. Pasha Pashkov was in the studio as well, and posted a reel with a countdown to an “OG reveal,” featuring him spinning Smirnoff around and into view. “Bumped into this legend at the studio🙌,” Pashkov captioned the video.
Karina Smirnoff’s ‘DWTS’ Past
Smirnoff joined “DWTS” during the show’s third season, returning for consecutive seasons then sitting out season 10. She returned for season 11 for another successful run, winning the coveted Mirrorball Trophy in season 13 with partner J.R. Martinez. Smirnoff remained on the show before departing again after season 19.
“After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided to focus my energies on some other exciting endeavors including adding author to my resume,” Smirnoff told Entertainment Tonight at the time.
“‘DWTS’ has been a huge part of my life for the last 10 years and I will always have a special place in my heart for it,” she continued. “I am thrilled that now you will be seeing more of me in new arenas in the days and weeks to come.” In 2015 the dancer and her bff and manager Lindsay Rielly published a book together called “We’re Just Not That Into You: Dating Disasters from the Trenches.”
Will Karina Smirnoff Actually Return?
While seeing Smirnoff in the studio with Karaguch and Pashkov has gotten fans’ hopes up, it remains to be seen whether the dancer will return to “DWTS.” Back in 2021, Smirnoff hinted that coming back to the show wasn’t out of the question, but that she might like to appear in a different capacity next time.
“I would definitely enjoy judging,” Smirnoff shared with Parade. “I don’t know if I would go back as a dancer. I think there’s a right time in life for everything.”
It looked as though Smirnoff was having a blast showing off her flawless technique alongside Karaguch and Pashkov, so perhaps the right time is coming up.
