Dancing With the Stars: Next Pro winner Adele Zaikman and fellow contestant Allen Genkin’s chemistry on the dance floor has waltzed its way into a real-life romance.
A source tells Us that Zaikman, 24, and Genkin, 36, are dating after they performed together on the inaugural season of the Dancing With the Stars ABC spinoff series this summer.
Us has reached out to Zaikman’s rep and Genkin for comment.
Fans met both Zaikman and Genkin on DWTS: Next Pro, which premiered in July.
Genkin made it to the semi-final round before being cut from the competition while Zaikman was crowned the first-ever champion of the show during the August finale.
With the win, Zaikman was named the newest pro on DWTS, joining the cast for season 35. She was partnered with Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Connor Leavitt, but unfortunately they were eliminated on night one earlier this month.
Genkin and Zaikman, meanwhile, reunited in early September to teach a class at Playground in Los Angeles together.
“Still overwhelmed with gratitude for the 100 people who joined our class at Playground — and the fact that there was even a waiting list! 🥹 We’re so thankful for all the love and for every person who came to learn and dance with us,” Zaikman wrote via Instagram on September 14 alongside a steamy video of the pair doing one of their routines. “Thank you, Allen, for such an amazing class. Dancing with you is always so special! ❤️.”
One day later, Genkin gushed about his dynamic with Zaikman during “The Joe Vulpis” podcast, calling her “special.”
“She’s one of a kind. Beautiful person inside and out. I love working with her, man. She’s the best,” he continued.
The professional dancers’ undeniable connection in their online videos — as well as on Next Pro — caused many fans to ship them as a couple, and Zaikman was totally cool with the speculation.
“Dancing with Allen is just amazing. It’s the best feeling ever. So getting to do that on the premiere was a dream come true, for sure,” Zaikman said during the Saturday, September 19, episode of the “Fire Chats: The Mindfire Pod” podcast, referring to Genkin joining her on stage during her DWTS debut alongside their Next Pro castmates for one performance.
When podcast host Carrie Berk blurted out, “You guys should date,” Zaikman blushed a little.
“You’re not the only one! We get so many messages every single day of people shipping us. But I get it,” Zaikman responded.
The dancer confirmed that she and Genkin are single, but hinted that they were not romantically involved — at least not yet.
“I will let you know if something happens,” Zaikman teased. “I will let you know, guys.”
She proceeded to gush about Genkin, telling listeners that they are “very close” and enjoy each other’s company.
“I love Allen. He’s an amazing human being. Just being around him, you get good energy. He’s the best,” Zaikman added.
Days later, Genkin added fuel to the romance speculation about him and Zaikman when he posted a cheeky dance routine set to The Weeknd’s “Acquainted.”
“Rolls Royce, girl I’m so glad we’re acquainted,” he captioned the Tuesday, September 22, video, which showed the pair getting very close in a sexy routine and almost kissing at the end.
The lyrics pointed to an even closer connection between the dancers, with the chorus singing, “You got me touchin’ on your body / You got me touchin’ on your body / To say that we’re in love is dangerous / But, girl, I’m so glad we’re acquainted, oh.”
