“Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro” winner Adele Zaikman, 25, confirmed her romance with fellow spinoff competitor Allen Genkin through a joint Instagram post Wednesday celebrating her birthday.
The carousel of photos showed the couple holding each other close and packing on the PDA, marking their public debut as a couple.
“Happy birthday to the most beautiful queen,” Genkin wrote in the caption. “I want to wish you happiness, health, love and all the success that life has to offer, you deserve everything you dreamt of and more.”
He continued, “You have inspired so many people all over the world, including myself and so many that love you. Every time you walk into a room you’re smile and infectious energy gravitates people towards you,” Genkin added, noting that he can “honestly say the best thing that has happened to me from [‘The Next Pro’].”
Genkin praised their connection as “something special,” called himself “the happiest and luckiest man in the world,” and concluded by writing, “I adore you with all my heart!!! Sweetheart always remember how special you are inside and out, never let anyone dim your light, because you have so much to give, and I know you will in so many ways.”
The comments section quickly filled with reactions from fellow “DWTS” stars. “HARD LAUNCH!!! Omg I’ve had no one to talk to about this UNTIL NOW!” pro Emma Slater wrote.
“so I don’t need to keep this a secret anymore? Hahaha,” Zaikman’s Season 35 partner, Connor Leavitt, commented.
Former “DWTS” pro Peta Murgatroyd added, “Well this is hot 🔥.”
Zaikman and Leavitt were eliminated during the season 35 premiere after earning a score of 12/30 for their salsa to Tag Team’s “Whoop! There It Is.”
“This has been the most fun. I have the greatest dance partner in the world in Adele. I can’t wait for the world to get to see her talent,” Leavitt said following his elimination.
Zaikman called getting to perform in the ballroom “a dream come true.”
Zaikman won “The Next Pro” in late August, scoring her a spot on “DWTS” in September, while Genkin placed fourth on the spinoff. The 25-year-old beat out 11 of her fellow aspiring dancers across eight weeks of competition. Two weeks after being crowned the winner, she was paired with Leavitt to compete on season 35 of the flagship series.
The couple’s relationship appears to have developed during or after their time together on the spinoff, though they had kept it private until Zaikman’s birthday post.
“Dancing With the Stars” season 35 continues to air live on ABC.