Quick Read
- Witney Carson and Carson McAllister met in high school in Utah and married in 2016.
- Their relationship survived a two-year long-distance period while McAllister was in Romania.
- McAllister is a mechanical engineer; Carson is a professional dancer and two-time DWTS champion.
- They have two sons: Kevin (Leo), born in 2021, and Jet, born in 2023.
- The family has faced personal loss, including the death of McAllister’s father to cancer.
Witney Carson: More Than a Mirrorball Trophy Winner
To millions, Witney Carson is the dazzling professional dancer who commands the floor on Dancing with the Stars. But behind the sequins and spotlight is a story of resilience, partnership, and real-world challenges that shaped her into the woman audiences see today.
From High School Sweethearts to Lifelong Partners
Witney’s love story with Carson McAllister began in the hallways of American Fork, Utah. For McAllister, she was the ‘dream girl’ as early as seventh grade, though their paths only converged as seniors. ‘She didn’t know I existed until senior year,’ he revealed to People magazine in 2016. Their friendship blossomed into a romance, one built on mutual respect and understanding from the very start.
When Witney announced their engagement in 2015, it was a celebration of four years together. ‘My love of four years @carson.mcallister proposed last night & I feel like the luckiest, happiest woman in the world,’ she wrote on Instagram. The beginning was idyllic, but reality soon tested their bond.
Long-Distance Trials: Two Worlds Apart
After graduation, the couple faced a daunting challenge. McAllister left for Romania on a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while Carson plunged into the competitive world of dance. In 2012, she reached national recognition as runner-up on So You Think You Can Dance, then joined Dancing with the Stars as a troupe member and later a pro in 2014.
In a candid 2018 YouTube video, Witney described their awkward reunion after McAllister’s return: ‘Our first date when he came home, I took him to a grocery store… It felt like we still knew each other but things had changed so much.’ It took a few more dates and a pivotal trip to Cancún with her family before they truly rediscovered each other, realizing they were meant to be.
Wedding Bells and a Fresh Start
The couple wed on January 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The reception was a festive gathering at NOAH’s Event Center in Lindon, attended by Carson’s Dancing with the Stars colleagues and friends. Emma Slater, Lindsay Arnold, Brittany Cherry, and Jenna Johnson stood by her side as bridesmaids, while Kym Johnson and Alfonso Ribeiro (her winning season 19 partner) joined in the celebration.
‘We’ve been in this limbo where he’s in Utah and I’m in L.A. and we haven’t been able to create a life together,’ Witney told People. ‘Now, we get to have a fresh start together. I’m excited. He’s my best friend.’ McAllister echoed, ‘She’s my best friend. I can’t wait to spend forever with her.’
Carson McAllister: A Quiet Pillar of Support
While Witney’s career soared, McAllister built his own path as a mechanical engineer. Not one for the spotlight, his dedication was evident in the six rigorous years he spent earning his degree. In May 2022, Witney proudly celebrated his graduation on Instagram, writing, ‘It’s been six long years of rigorous work, sacrificing for me and my career, and here he is as a mechanical engineer graduate!’
In June 2024, for his 31st birthday, Witney’s heartfelt tribute highlighted his role as the family’s steadfast anchor: ‘Most people don’t know how tirelessly you work for our family… loving us unconditionally, and putting our needs before your own every single day.’
Hardships and Heartache: Facing Life’s Toughest Moments
Life wasn’t always easy for the Carson-McAllister family. In December 2017, Witney shared the painful news of her father-in-law’s battle with pancreatic cancer. She stepped back from the Dancing with the Stars tour to support her husband, knowing Kevin McAllister had only weeks to live. After his passing in March 2018, Witney reflected, ‘It’s hard not to think, why does my husband have to live without his dad? Why do my kids not ever get to know their Poppy?… and then I remember the Plan of Salvation, to know we will see him again… and that gives me peace.’
Growing Family: Two Sons, Infinite Joy
Amid heartbreak, the family found new reasons to celebrate. Their first son, Kevin Leo McAllister (named in honor of his late grandfather), was born on January 3, 2021. ‘My little Leo, I love you more than words can express. You are the most precious gift,’ Witney wrote. McAllister’s pride was equally palpable: ‘Feeling so proud to name my son after my dad Kevin Leo McAllister.’
In May 2023, their second son, Jet Carson McAllister, arrived two weeks early—just in time for Mother’s Day. ‘Our hearts have doubled in size for our Jetty boy,’ Witney shared. McAllister, once again, honored his wife’s strength: ‘She keeps me calm and keeps her cool cause she knows I’m loosing [sic] it inside. You’re my rock babe! Im so proud of you!’
Triumphs on the Stage and Beyond
November 2025 marked another milestone: Witney clinched her second Mirrorball Trophy, partnered with Robert Irwin, in the 34th season of Dancing with the Stars. McAllister and their two boys were there in the audience, cheering her on—proof that her achievements are truly a family affair.
Their story, from high school crushes to partners weathering both public victories and private hardships, is a testament to the strength of love, commitment, and shared dreams. Witney Carson’s journey is more than a dance—it’s a balancing act between ambition, devotion, and resilience.
Witney Carson’s career and family life illustrate the reality behind the public persona: achievements shaped not only by personal talent, but by the everyday support, sacrifices, and sorrows that define genuine partnership. In a world focused on the glitter of show business, her story stands out for its authenticity and grounded perspective.