Karen Hauer Confirms Strictly Curse as Engagement News Sweeps Ballroom

Karen Hauer Breaks Silence on the Strictly Curse

The polished world of Strictly Come Dancing is a place where sequins shimmer, spotlights blaze, and dreams are made. But, as Karen Hauer has now openly admitted, it’s also a place where personal lives can be turned upside down. The so-called Strictly curse—the idea that the show’s intense partnerships often spark off-camera romances and relationship drama—has long been whispered about. Now, Hauer, one of the show’s most seasoned professionals, has lifted the veil, confirming what many have only speculated.

In a revealing interview with New! magazine, reported by Wales Online and Entertainment Daily, Hauer didn’t dodge the direct question: is the curse real? Her response was as candid as it was cryptic: “I’ve seen things. I’m not gonna talk about them. It exists. It’s there.” With these few words, she gave weight to years of rumors and headlines.

The Human Side of Glitter and Gossip

Hauer’s honesty cuts through the glamour, exposing the show’s human core. She explained that temptations and emotional bonds aren’t unique to Strictly. “Whoever wants to go and play, that’s on them. It’s like any other job. It just happens. People say, ‘Oh, but you guys are so sexy and you’re so close up and personal.’ I’m like: ‘Listen, I’ve been up close and personal with a lot of people. But I don’t go there because I respect my job and I respect people.’”

Since joining the show in 2012, the Venezuelan-born dancer has witnessed the spectrum of relationships, both on and off the floor. From being paired with celebrities like Mark Wright, Chris Ramsey, and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, she’s seen how professional intimacy can sometimes blur into something deeper—or simply become fodder for the tabloids. Her comments echo those of fellow dancer Gorka Marquez, who has insisted that the so-called curse is not exclusive to the ballroom, but rather a reflection of real-life complexities. “If it happens, it’s because the people are not really happy. So it doesn’t matter what it is,” Marquez remarked in a separate interview.

The Curse Unveiled: When Dance Turns to Drama

What exactly is the Strictly curse? Over the years, the show has seen a parade of headlines about contestants and pros whose off-screen relationships have faltered or transformed during the series. The most notorious cases have become part of British pop culture lore:

• Louise Redknapp’s high-profile divorce from Jamie Redknapp in 2017, following her 2016 series appearance.
• Stacey Dooley’s split from her long-time partner after winning the show with Kevin Clifton in 2018—later, the two began dating.
• The Seann Walsh and Katya Jones scandal in 2018, which saw both dancers photographed kissing, despite both being in relationships. Public apologies and breakups followed.
• Boxer Joe Calzaghe broke up with his girlfriend during the 2009 season, subsequently dating his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff. Rugby star Ben Cohen similarly split from his wife and began a relationship with Rihanoff after the show.

While the media loves a scandal, Hauer’s words point to something deeper: the emotional intensity, long hours, and close physical proximity that define the world of professional dance. Under the public gaze, every misstep and romance is magnified. Yet, as Hauer suggests, these are not magical forces at play, but the natural result of human connection under pressure.

Celebration Amidst the Rumors: Joanne Clifton’s Engagement

Even as the Strictly curse makes headlines, the ballroom community has cause for celebration. Joanne Clifton, former Strictly champion and sister of pro Kevin Clifton, recently announced her engagement to AJ Jenks, her partner of five years. The news, shared on social media with a playful caption—”Got bored… so we’re getting married. Cheers!”—sparked an outpouring of support from fans and Strictly colleagues alike.

Katya Jones, herself no stranger to the show’s romantic headlines, exclaimed, “She’s getting married!!!! So happy for you both.” Karen Hauer chimed in with genuine warmth: “Omg Jo!! Congratulations beautiful, big hug.” Former judge Arlene Phillips dubbed the engagement the “perfect solution for boredom.” The ballroom, it seems, is as much a community as a stage—one that celebrates love as fiercely as it scrutinizes heartbreak.

Clifton’s journey has been as dynamic as her dance routines. After joining Strictly in 2014 and winning the Glitterball Trophy in 2016 with Ore Oduba, she left the show to pursue a thriving career in musical theatre, earning rave reviews in roles from Morticia Addams to Polly in the West End’s “Fawlty Towers.” Yet, she’s remained close to the Strictly family, both on and off screen.

The engagement is a reminder that, for all the headlines about the Strictly curse, genuine love stories still emerge from the show’s whirlwind world.

Life Beyond the Headlines: The Reality Behind the Rumors

While Strictly continues to captivate millions each Saturday night, the real drama often unfolds away from the dancefloor. Hauer’s candidness brings rare authenticity to a show often defined by its sparkle. Her insistence that respect and boundaries are key—”I respect my job and I respect people”—is a quiet but powerful rebuke to the most lurid tabloid narratives.

Ultimately, the so-called curse may just be the human condition writ large: passion, vulnerability, and the search for connection. As the new Strictly season begins, with 15 fresh celebrities vying for the Glitterball, fans and dancers alike will be watching not just for perfect scores, but for the stories that unfold behind the scenes.

Karen Hauer’s frank admission confirms that the magic of Strictly isn’t just in the choreography—it’s in the raw, unscripted moments of real life that dance both with and against the glittering surface. Whether those moments are called a curse or simply the cost of connection, they are an inextricable part of the show’s enduring allure.