Kym Herjavec (née Johnson), born August 4, 1976, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, is a renowned professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, and television personality whose exceptional talent, charisma, and poise have made her a household name across two continents. Best known for her remarkable tenure on Dancing with the Stars in both Australia and the United States, Kym has earned a unique place in dance history as the only professional to win Mirrorball Trophies on two different continents. Her journey from a young dancer in Sydney to an international star is a testament to her dedication, versatility, and passion for the art of dance.
Early Life and Dance Beginnings
Kym Johnson’s love for dance began at the tender age of three when she started training in various forms of the performing arts, including ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, and singing. Born to her mother, Barbara, and raised in Sydney, Kym showed an early aptitude for movement and expression. However, it wasn’t until she was 13 that she discovered her true calling: ballroom dancing. Initially reluctant, Kym was introduced to the world of competitive ballroom by her brother, who saw it as a way to meet girls. What began as a casual endeavor quickly became a lifelong passion.
By her mid-teens, Kym was competing at a high level, honing her skills in ballroom and Latin dance. In 1998, at the age of 22, she partnered with Lithuanian dancer Tomas Atkocevicius and achieved significant success, placing second in the Open Amateur Modern Ballroom category at the Australian Dancesport Championship. The duo also reached the finals of the prestigious U.K. Ballroom Championships at Blackpool, a hallmark of excellence in the dance world. Kym’s competitive career culminated in her being named the Australian Ballroom Champion and representing Australia in the World 10 Dance Championship for two consecutive years. In 2001, she retired from competitive ballroom dancing. Still, she continued to perform on stage, including in the acclaimed touring production Burn the Floor and at high-profile events like Elton John’s 50th birthday celebration.
Rising to Fame on Dancing with the Stars
Kym’s transition from competitive dance to television stardom began in 2004 when she joined the inaugural season of Dancing with the Stars Australia. Paired with actor Justin Melvey, she finished third overall, showcasing her ability to teach and perform with non-professional dancers. In Season 2, Kym partnered with television presenter Tom Williams and won the Mirrorball Trophy, solidifying her status as a fan favorite. She returned for Season 3, dancing with actor Michael Caton, though they were eliminated early, placing ninth. Kym also made a memorable cameo in the Season 4 grand finale, performing with musician Alex Lloyd.
In 2006, Kym took her talents to Hollywood, joining the U.S. version of Dancing with the Stars. Her first American season (Season 3) saw her paired with talk show icon Jerry Springer, with whom she placed seventh, earning praise for their chemistry and entertaining performances. Despite an arm injury that limited her participation in the Dancing with the Stars tour, Kym returned for Season 4, partnering with *NSYNC’s Joey Fatone and finishing as the runner-up. Her success continued in Season 9, when she and singer Donny Osmond were crowned champions, and again in Season 12 with NFL star Hines Ward, making her the only professional dancer to win both the Australian and U.S. versions of the show.
Over her 17 seasons on the U.S. version of Dancing with the Stars (2006–2015, 2017), Kym partnered with a diverse array of celebrities, including Mark Cuban, Penn Jillette, Warren Sapp, David Alan Grier, David Hasselhoff, and Mr. T. Her ability to adapt to different partners and choreograph captivating routines earned her widespread acclaim. She also served as a judge on the Australian version of the show from 2013 to 2015, bringing her expertise and warm personality to the judging panel.
Beyond the Ballroom: Entrepreneurship and Media Ventures
Kym’s talents extend far beyond the dance floor. In 2016, she launched her fitness and lifestyle brand, releasing the 5678 Fitness DVD —a cardio-Latino dance program designed to combine high-energy dance with a total-body workout. Alongside the DVD, she published The 5678 Diet, a book that shares her life lessons, nutrition tips, exercise plans, and anecdotes from her time on Dancing with the Stars. Kym also opened a dance studio, BOD, in Beverly Hills, further showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.
Her television career is equally diverse. In Australia, Kym appeared on Australian Celebrity Survivor: Vanuatu in 2006, representing the Merry Makers, though she was the first eliminated after controversially voting herself out. She later competed on The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2013 and co-hosted The Real Dirty Dancing. In the U.S., she headlined Broadway’s Burn the Floor, served as a special correspondent for E! News during Dancing with the Stars Season 10, and co-hosted Dancing with the Stars: All Access with Tom Bergeron. Kym also ventured into acting, with roles in films like Love Alaska (2019), Major Minors (2020), The Wedding Planners (2020), Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens (2016), and upcoming projects Hunting Housewives and Christmas with the Knights. Through her production company, 5678 Productions, she is co-producing two projects with Brain Power Productions, marking her entry into the world of film and television production.
Personal Life and Family
Kym’s personal life garnered significant attention when she was paired with Canadian businessman and Shark Tank star Robert Herjavec on Season 20 of Dancing with the Stars in 2015. Their on-screen chemistry blossomed into a real-life romance, and the couple announced their relationship in September 2015. They became engaged on February 27, 2016, and married on July 31, 2016, in a Los Angeles ceremony attended by Dancing with the Stars stars like Carrie Ann Inaba, Joey Fatone, and Derek Hough. In April 2018, Kym and Robert welcomed twins Hudson Robert and Haven Mae via IVF. The family splits their time between Australia, the United States, and Canada, balancing Kym’s career with their family life.
Before Robert, Kym was engaged to Australian cricket star Shane Watson and had a romantic relationship with her Dancing with the Stars Australia partner Tom Williams. Her close relationship with her mother, Barbara, is often highlighted, though she has shared little about her father or siblings.
Legacy and Recent Endeavors
In 2023, Kym announced her return to the ballroom with a new cabaret show, marking her first dance performance in six years. Teaming up with Australian dancer Aric Yegudkin, she began rehearsing in May 2024, sharing her excitement on Instagram: “I haven’t danced in over 6 years. I felt like Bambi for the first 15 minutes. I have missed this so much.” Fans and fellow dancers praised her enduring artistry with comments like “Kym, you look like you never took a day off.” She also returned to Dancing with the Stars in October 2023 for a special Len Goodman tribute during Season 32, alongside other beloved pros.
As of 2023, Kym’s net worth is estimated at $1–2 million, earned through her dancing career, television appearances, fitness ventures, and acting roles. Her weekly earnings from Dancing with the Stars reportedly reached $5,000, with an annual income as a dancer and actor averaging $75,000. Kym’s commitment to fitness remains evident in her lifestyle, which includes Pilates, aerobics, beach yoga, and a balanced diet inspired by fitness icon Jane Fonda.
Conclusion
Kym Herjavec’s journey from a young dancer in Sydney to an international ballroom icon is a story of talent, perseverance, and reinvention. Her unparalleled success on Dancing with the Stars, coupled with her ventures in fitness, acting, and production, showcases her multifaceted career. As a devoted wife and mother, Kym continues to inspire with her grace, resilience, and passion for dance, proving that her star power shines just as brightly off the dance floor as it does on it.
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