Pasha Pashkov: Biography, Career, And Dancing With The Stars

Pasha Pashkov is a professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, and television personality best known for his long-standing role on ABC's hit competition series Dancing with the Stars. Born in Russia and raised in the United States, Pashkov transitioned from a decorated competitive dancesport athlete into a prominent public figure. This profile breaks down his early life, professional achievements, television career, and personal milestones.

Early Life and Immigration

Pavel Valeryevich Pashkov was born on May 28, 1986, in Perm, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. Long before stepping onto a professional ballroom floor, he spent his childhood pursuing a wide range of athletic activities, including swimming, tennis, and taekwondo.

His entry into the world of dance happened almost by accident at age eleven. A school teacher ran a basic ballroom class and suggested to his family that he possessed natural coordination and rhythm. Though he initially stopped dancing after his first local competition due to scheduling conflicts, a family friend later asked him to partner with her daughter, pulling him back into a dedicated studio environment.

When he was fifteen years old, his family immigrated to the United States after his father won a green card lottery. Settling in New York, Pashkov balanced rigorous dance training with his education, eventually attending Baruch College where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree.

Competitive Dancesport Career

Before achieving mainstream television fame, Pashkov built an elite competitive record in dancesport alongside partner Daniella Karagach, whom he began dancing with competitively in 2009. The duo established themselves as heavyweights in both Latin and standard 10-dance disciplines.

Key competitive achievements include:

• Seven-time United States 10-Dance and Latin Champions.
• Representation of the United States at the 2009 World Games in Taiwan.
• Champions of the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival Rising Star Professional Latin division in 2012.
• Winners of the UK Open Rising Star Professional title.
• Champions of the United States Latin American Showdance Championship in 2018.

Transition to Television and World of Dance

Pashkov and Karagach expanded their platform by entering the commercial dance and television space. In 2018, the couple competed on the second season of NBC's reality competition series World of Dance, judged by Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, and Derek Hough. Their appearance introduced their intricate choreography and intense physical synergy to a national primetime audience.

Following their success on World of Dance, ABC tapped Pashkov to join the professional dancer roster for season 28 of Dancing with the Stars in September 2019.

Dancing with the Stars Tenure

As a pro on Dancing with the Stars, Pashkov has been paired with a diverse lineup of celebrity partners across multiple seasons:

• Season 28: Partnered with actress Kate Flannery (The Office), finishing in 7th place.
• Season 29: Partnered with Carole Baskin (Tiger King), finishing in 14th place.
• Season 30: Partnered with entrepreneur Christine Chiu, finishing in 14th place.
• Season 31: Partnered with reality television star Teresa Giudice, finishing in 15th place.
• Season 32: Partnered with television personality Ariana Madix (Vanderpump Rules), achieving his highest finish as a pro by securing 3rd place.
• Season 33: Partnered with actress Tori Spelling, finishing in 12th place.
• Season 34: Partnered with actress Danielle Fishel, finishing in 8th place.

Beyond competing with celebrity partners, Pashkov has contributed extensive choreography to the show, including designing group numbers and milestone routines for the program's broadcast history.

Personal Life and Family

Pashkov married his long-time dance partner and fellow Dancing with the Stars professional Daniella Karagach on July 18, 2014, after four years of dating. The couple lives and works together, balancing professional choreography projects, tour performances, and television appearances.

In November 2022, they announced they were expecting their first child. They welcomed their daughter, Nikita, on May 30, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pasha Pashkov's height?

Pasha Pashkov stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall.

What is Pasha Pashkov's national identity?

He holds dual cultural and national ties as a Russian-American. He was born and raised in Perm, Russia, before immigrating to the United States as a teenager, eventually becoming a U.S. citizen and representing the United States in international dancesport competitions.

Are Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach still married?

Yes. They married in 2014 and continue to collaborate both professionally as dancers and personally as parents to their daughter.

Did Pasha Pashkov win Dancing with the Stars?

While he has reached the finals and placed high—such as a third-place finish with Ariana Madix in Season 32—he has not yet won the mirrorball trophy as a main pro competitor.