Adele Zaikman Bio: Age, Career, Dancing With the Stars & More
Adele Zaikman has quickly become one of the most talked-about professional dancers in 2026. She gained major attention after competing on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
The Israeli dancer eventually won the inaugural competition. As a result, she earned a professional spot on Dancing with the Stars Season 35.
Zaikman brings years of competitive Latin ballroom experience to American television. She also holds an impressive record from major international dance competitions.
Her journey combines talent, discipline, resilience, and a lifelong passion for dance. Therefore, her rise to DWTS represents a significant career milestone.
Who Is Adele Zaikman?
Adele Zaikman is an Israeli professional Latin ballroom dancer, teacher, and television personality. She specializes in competitive Latin dance and has built an international reputation.
Zaikman was born and raised in Israel to Ukrainian parents. She later moved to Los Angeles, where she continued developing her professional dance career.
According to profiles published during The Next Pro, Zaikman was 24 years old during the competition. She will turn 25 on September 30, 2026.
She also speaks Russian, Hebrew, and English, reflecting her Israeli-Ukrainian background.
Her Instagram account, @adele.zaikman, also highlights her competitive dancing career and professional achievements.
Adele Zaikman Early Life and Childhood
Zaikman discovered dance when she was only six years old. From that point, dance became an important part of her childhood.
She dedicated countless hours to training while other children enjoyed typical childhood activities. Her commitment eventually helped her enter the competitive ballroom world.
However, her journey faced a major challenge during her teenage years.
At age 13, Zaikman received a scoliosis diagnosis. Doctors required her to wear a brace for approximately two and a half years.
The treatment required her to wear the brace for around 20 hours each day. Despite those restrictions, she refused to abandon dancing.
Zaikman continued dancing during the hours when she could remove the brace. She later described those hours as some of the happiest moments of her life.
Consequently, her experience strengthened her determination to pursue professional dancing.
Adele Zaikman’s Dance Career
Zaikman developed her skills through years of intensive ballroom training. She eventually focused strongly on Latin ballroom dancing.
Her competitive career took her to major international events. She also competed against some of the strongest dancers in the professional circuit.
Her results helped establish her as a respected competitive dancer before television audiences discovered her.
One of her biggest accomplishments came at the Blackpool Dance Festival. In 2022, Zaikman won an event at the prestigious competition.
Blackpool remains one of the most prestigious destinations in competitive ballroom dancing. Zaikman’s victory therefore represented a major achievement.
She had already achieved success at Blackpool before winning The Next Pro. In 2019, she finished third at the festival.
Her international results also included strong finishes at other major competitions.
In 2022, she and former partner Nikolay Chernov finished fifth at the WDC AL Open World Championships in Dublin. They also placed fourth at the Dutch Open.
These achievements demonstrate that Zaikman entered television with considerable competitive experience.
Adele Zaikman as a Dance Teacher
Zaikman has also worked as a professional dance teacher in Los Angeles.
Teaching requires more than performing difficult routines. A successful teacher must explain technique while helping students develop confidence.
Her experience therefore gave her an important skill before joining Dancing with the Stars.
The Next Pro specifically tested contestants on choreography, partnering, teaching, storytelling, and technique. Zaikman’s background suited those demands particularly well.
Furthermore, her competitive experience helped her understand discipline and performance preparation.
Adele Zaikman on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro
Zaikman entered Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro in 2026.
The spinoff featured rising dancers competing for an opportunity to become professional dancers on the main series. Twelve dancers initially entered the competition.
Zaikman quickly established herself as one of the strongest competitors.
She consistently impressed judges throughout the competition. Importantly, she never faced elimination during her run.
Her performances combined technical precision with strong stage presence. She also demonstrated an ability to connect with different celebrity partners.
As the competition progressed, Zaikman reached the final three alongside AJ Pritchard and Selena Hamilton.
The finalists then competed for the opportunity to join the main DWTS professional cast.
Adele Zaikman Wins The Next Pro
On August 31, 2026, Zaikman achieved the biggest television milestone of her career.
She won the first season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. The victory secured her position as a professional dancer on DWTS Season 35.
In the finale, Zaikman performed with celebrity partner Nev Schulman. She delivered a samba before performing a powerful freestyle routine.
Her final performances impressed the judges and helped separate her from the other finalists.
Guest judge Derek Hough also praised her dancing throughout the competition. He famously compared her polished performance quality to a “Rolls-Royce.”
Hough particularly praised her understanding of dance mechanics. His comments became one of the memorable moments from her Next Pro journey.
Judge Mark Ballas also praised her dynamic performances and overall development.
Therefore, Zaikman’s victory did more than give her a television title. It officially opened the door to one of America’s biggest dance programs.
Adele Zaikman and Dancing with the Stars Season 35
Following her victory, Zaikman joined the Dancing with the Stars Season 35 professional lineup.
The complete Season 35 cast was revealed on September 2, 2026. Zaikman was announced as the professional partner of Conner Leavitt.
Leavitt is known for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. His pairing with Zaikman gives the new professional an opportunity to introduce her dancing style to a huge television audience.
Season 35 will premiere with a two-night event on September 15 and 16, 2026. ABC and Disney+ will air the premiere, while Hulu will stream episodes afterward.
Zaikman’s promotion marks an important moment in the franchise. She becomes a new professional dancer after winning the show’s dedicated pro-search competition.
Adele Zaikman’s Dance Style
Zaikman’s strongest specialty remains Latin ballroom dancing.
Her performances emphasize precise technique, controlled movement, musicality, and expressive performance. She also brings extensive competitive experience to every routine.
Her background allows her to combine athletic movement with storytelling. This combination can become particularly valuable when working with celebrity contestants.
Unlike professional competitions, DWTS requires dancers to adapt routines for celebrities with different abilities. Therefore, teaching and communication become just as important as technical skill.
Zaikman’s background as both a competitor and teacher could give her an advantage.
Adele Zaikman and Cătălin Caucă
Zaikman’s professional career also included a partnership with Romanian dancer and instructor Cătălin Caucă.
The pair began working together in 2025 after Zaikman searched for a new dance partner. They first danced together in April 2025.
Their professional relationship later became romantic. Zaikman referred to Caucă as her “life partner” during The Next Pro.
However, their current relationship status remains unclear.
Caucă announced in August 2026 that their competitive partnership had ended. Recent reports also noted changes involving their social-media presence.
Therefore, fans should treat claims about their current romantic status carefully. Neither dancer has publicly confirmed every detail surrounding their relationship.
Adele Zaikman and Gleb Savchenko Rumors
Zaikman also attracted attention because of her chemistry with DWTS veteran Gleb Savchenko.
The pair appeared together during The Next Pro, prompting fans to discuss their connection. Their videos generated additional interest across social media.
However, online speculation does not confirm a romantic relationship.
Current reports describe the pair as close, while Zaikman’s personal relationship status remains unclear.
Therefore, fans should distinguish between on-screen chemistry and confirmed personal relationships.
Adele Zaikman Instagram and Social Media
Adele Zaikman uses Instagram to showcase her professional dancing journey.
Her official Instagram username is @adele.zaikman. Her profile provides fans with updates about performances, competitions, training, and her television career.
Social media has also helped Zaikman connect her competitive dance background with a broader audience.
Her growing television profile could significantly increase her social-media following during DWTS Season 35.
Adele Zaikman Achievements
Some of Zaikman’s most notable career achievements include:
- Winner of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro Season 1
- New professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars Season 35
- 2022 Blackpool Dance Festival winner
- Third-place Blackpool Dance Festival finish in 2019
- Fifth-place WDC AL Open World Championships result in 2022
- Fourth-place Dutch Open result in 2022
- Professional Latin ballroom dancer and teacher
- Fluent in Russian, Hebrew, and English
These accomplishments show why Zaikman entered DWTS with significant competitive credentials.
What Makes Adele Zaikman’s Story Inspiring?
Zaikman’s story stands out because she continued pursuing dance despite major challenges.
Her scoliosis diagnosis could have disrupted her ambitions. Instead, she continued training whenever possible.
She eventually progressed from a young dancer in Israel to an international competitor. Later, she moved to Los Angeles and built a professional teaching career.
Now, she has earned a place on one of America’s most recognizable dance shows.
Her journey demonstrates how discipline, persistence, and passion can transform difficult circumstances into opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adele Zaikman
How old is Adele Zaikman?
Adele Zaikman was 24 years old during Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. She turns 25 on September 30, 2026.
Where is Adele Zaikman from?
Adele Zaikman is from Israel. She was born to Ukrainian parents and later moved to Los Angeles.
What does Adele Zaikman do?
Adele Zaikman is a professional Latin ballroom dancer and dance teacher. She now also works as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars.
Did Adele Zaikman win Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro?
Yes. Adele Zaikman won the inaugural season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro on August 31, 2026.
Who is Adele Zaikman’s DWTS Season 35 partner?
Adele Zaikman will compete with Conner Leavitt during Dancing with the Stars Season 35.
What dance style does Adele Zaikman specialize in?
Zaikman specializes in competitive Latin ballroom dancing. She has competed successfully at major international competitions.
What is Adele Zaikman’s Instagram?
Her Instagram handle is @adele.zaikman. She uses the platform to share her professional dance journey and performances.
Final Thoughts on Adele Zaikman
Adele Zaikman has built an impressive career through years of dedication to ballroom dancing.
She started dancing at six and continued training despite a difficult health challenge during adolescence.
Her competitive achievements later established her as an accomplished Latin ballroom dancer.
However, winning Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro represents her biggest mainstream breakthrough.
Now, Zaikman enters Dancing with the Stars Season 35 as a professional dancer. She will partner with Conner Leavitt and compete for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Her journey from Israel to international ballroom competitions and American television makes her a dancer worth watching.
Most importantly, her story proves that consistent dedication can turn a childhood passion into a remarkable professional career.
