Pasha Pashkov has become one of the most recognizable professional dancers on American television, known for his technical precision, competitive background, and long-running partnership with his wife and fellow dancer, Daniella Karagach. From his early days training in Russia to becoming a familiar face on Dancing with the Stars, Pashkov’s journey reflects years of discipline, hard work, and a genuine love for the art of dance. This article takes a closer look at his life, career, and the path that brought him to where he is today.
Who Is Pasha Pashkov?
Pasha Pashkov, whose full name is Pavel Learn about Pasha Pashkov’s life, dance career, rise on Dancing with the Stars, and his partnership with wife Daniella Karagach in this complete profile., is a Russian-American professional dancer and choreographer best known for his work in ballroom and Latin dance. He first gained widespread attention as a contestant on the second season of World of Dance, where he competed alongside his wife, Daniella Karagach. That exposure helped set the stage for his later career as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, a role he began in 2019.
Born on May 28, 1986, in Perm, Russia, pasha pashkov built a career rooted in years of competitive dancesport before transitioning into television. His combination of technical skill, choreography talent, and on-screen charisma has made him a standout figure within the world of competitive and televised ballroom dancing.
Early Life and Introduction to Dance
Before dance became his life’s focus, young pasha pashkov was involved in a variety of sports, including tennis, swimming, and taekwondo. His introduction to dance came somewhat by chance, at around eleven years old, when a ballroom instructor visiting his school noticed potential in him during a class exercise. Despite this early spark, he initially stepped away from dancing after his first competition did not go as expected.
His return to the dance floor came through an unexpected connection, when a family friend asked if he would consider becoming a dance partner for her daughter. That opportunity reignited his interest, and the encouraging environment at the studio, combined with early competitive success, helped him fall in love with the discipline all over again. This second chance ultimately shaped the direction of his entire career.
Immigrating to the United States
When pasha pashkov was fifteen years old, his family immigrated to the United States after his father won a green card through the visa lottery system. The family initially settled in Ohio, but the area lacked the competitive ballroom dance studios, coaches, and partners he needed to continue progressing in the sport at a serious level.
Determined to keep pursuing dance professionally, pasha pashkov eventually moved on his own to Brooklyn, New York, where he found access to the kind of competitive training environment that had been missing in Ohio. This move proved to be a turning point, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the New York ballroom dance scene and begin building the foundation for his professional career.
Rise Through Competitive Ballroom Dancing
Settling in Brooklyn gave pasha pashkov the resources and community needed to develop into a serious competitive dancer. He went on to study at Baruch College while continuing to train and compete, balancing academics with an increasingly demanding dance schedule. Over time, his hard work translated into real competitive success on both national and international stages.
Pasha Pashkov eventually became a U.S. Latin and World Ten-Dance Champion, achievements that reflect years of disciplined training and competition. Along with his future wife, he also won titles such as the UK Open Ten Dance Championship and various U.S. National Latin championships, building a reputation as one of the sport’s more accomplished competitors before television brought him wider public recognition.
Meeting Daniella Karagach and Their Partnership
Pasha Pashkov personal and professional life became deeply intertwined with Daniella Karagach after the two became dance partners in 2009. Karagach, an accomplished dancer in her own right, would go on to share both the competitive dance floor and, eventually, a life together with Pashkov. Their partnership grew steadily over the years, both in competition and in their personal relationship.
The couple married on July 18, 2014, after four years of dating, and their bond has remained central to both of their careers ever since. In 2025, they marked their eleventh wedding anniversary by renewing their vows in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, a milestone that fans of the couple followed closely given their long public journey together on screen and in competitive dance.
Breakthrough on World of Dance
A major turning point in Pasha Pashkov career came when he and Karagach competed together on the second season of NBC’s World of Dance. The show gave the couple a national platform to showcase their technical skill and chemistry as partners, helping introduce them to audiences well beyond the competitive ballroom dance circuit they had previously been known in.
This appearance played a significant role in raising their profile within the entertainment industry, and it helped pave the way for both dancers to eventually join Dancing with the Stars as professionals. The exposure from World of Dance demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure on a televised stage, a skill that would become essential in their later careers.
Joining Dancing with the Stars
Pasha Pashkov officially joined Dancing with the Stars as a professional dancer in Season 28, beginning in September 2019. Since then, he has remained a consistent presence on the show, partnering with a range of celebrity contestants across multiple seasons and quickly becoming known for his structured choreography and steady mentorship style with partners new to ballroom dance.
Joining the show alongside his wife, who also became a pro on Dancing with the Stars around the same time, added another layer to their public story, as fans followed both their individual partnerships with celebrities and their shared journey as a married couple working within the same show.
Notable Seasons and Celebrity Partners
Throughout his time on Dancing with the Stars, Pasha Pashkov has been paired with a variety of celebrity partners, each bringing different challenges and highlights to his choreography work. His partners have included actress and comedian Kate Flannery, television personality Carole Baskin, entrepreneur Christine Chiu, and reality star Teresa Giudice, with the couples reaching different placements throughout their respective seasons.
One of his most notable seasons came alongside Ariana Madix, with the pair finishing in third place, a result that highlighted his ability to elevate a partner’s performance over the course of a competitive season. More recently, in Season 34, Pasha Pashkov was paired with Danielle Fishel, known for her role in Boy Meets World, with the couple advancing to eighth place before their elimination in week eight.
Personal Life and Family
Beyond the dance floor, Pashkov’s personal life has largely centered around his marriage to Daniella Karagach and their growing family. The couple welcomed their daughter, Nikita Sofia Pashkova, in May 2023, following a difficult period after Karagach experienced a miscarriage the previous year. Their journey toward becoming parents was shared with fans, adding a personal and relatable dimension to their public presence.
Alongside his television work, Pashkov has also built a presence on social media, where he shares glimpses of both his professional projects and family life. He has described himself online as the founder of a clothing brand, reflecting his interests extending beyond dance and television into other creative and entrepreneurial ventures.
Conclusion
Pasha Pashkov’s story is one of persistence, from an unexpected start in dance as a child in Russia to becoming one of the more recognizable professional dancers on American television. His journey through immigration, competitive dancesport, and television stardom reflects years of dedication both individually and alongside his wife, Daniella Karagach. As he continues his run on Dancing with the Stars while balancing family life and other creative pursuits, Pashkov remains a respected figure whose career continues to inspire both dance enthusiasts and television audiences alike.
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