Adele Zaikman is a 24-year-old professional Latin dancer and choreographer from Los Angeles, California, who won the first season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro in 2026 and joined Dancing with the Stars season 35 as a professional partner. In season 35, which premiered on September 16, 2026, she was partnered with musician Conner Leavitt, and they were the first couple eliminated, finishing 13th.
| Full Name | Adele Zaikman |
| Age (as of 2026) | 24 |
| Occupation | Professional Latin dancer; choreographer |
| Current Location | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Dance Style | Latin |
| Known For | Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro (winner); Dancing with the Stars season 35 |
| Season 35 Partner | Conner Leavitt |
| Date of Birth / Height | Not publicly reported; omitted rather than estimated |
| Net Worth | Not publicly reported with a verified source; no figure is published here |
Who Is Adele Zaikman?
Adele Zaikman is a professional Latin dancer from Los Angeles who won Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, the ABC spin-off that premiered on July 13, 2026, and was presented by Robert Irwin and judged by Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas. The series featured twelve up-and-coming professional dancers who lived and trained together in Brisbane, Australia, and competed over eight episodes for a spot as a professional on the flagship series.
Zaikman, listed as age 24 and based in Los Angeles, won the series on August 31, 2026, ahead of runner-up AJ Pritchard and third-place Selena Hamilton. Her win earned her a place on Dancing with the Stars season 35, where she was paired with Conner Leavitt, a musician and social media personality.
In season 35, Zaikman and Leavitt were the first couple eliminated and finished 13th. It was a short run on the flagship series, but it followed a full season of competition on The Next Pro, where she had already proved herself across technique, teamwork, choreography, chemistry, storytelling and teaching challenges.
Early Life & Background
Adele Zaikman is based in Los Angeles, California, and is listed as a Latin dancer in the cast of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. Details of her date of birth and early training are not publicly reported in the sources used for this profile, and they are omitted here rather than estimated.
Her path to the flagship series was unusual for a Dancing with the Stars professional: rather than joining as a troupe member, she earned her place by winning a televised competition against eleven other up-and-coming dancers, judged by three-time mirrorball champion Mark Ballas and Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas, with a rotating guest judge each week.
Career/Journey
Zaikman’s competition on The Next Pro began on July 13, 2026, in Brisbane, where the twelve contestants were tested on basic technique in same-sex couples, with the male couples performing the jive and the female couples performing the samba. She remained safe through the early weeks, including group work with Britt Stewart as guest judge and mentor, and a rumba with AJ Pritchard in week four.
In the semi-finals, Zaikman performed a samba with Gleb Savchenko and reached the finale, where she performed a samba with Nev Schulman and a freestyle to “Natural” by Imagine Dragons, winning the title of “Next Pro” on August 31, 2026. The series premiere had reached 5.33 million viewers over three days across ABC, Hulu and Disney+, marking ABC’s strongest summer debut across all genres since July 2020.
As a professional on Dancing with the Stars season 35, Zaikman was paired with Conner Leavitt. They were eliminated first and finished 13th, a result that was recorded in the season’s standings and in the show’s cast hub. Her win on The Next Pro remains her defining credit: the first winner of a new spin-off designed to find the franchise’s next professional dancer.
Facts About Adele Zaikman
- Adele Zaikman is 24 years old as of 2026 and is based in Los Angeles, California.
- She is a professional Latin dancer and choreographer.
- She won Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro on August 31, 2026.
- She joined Dancing with the Stars season 35 as a professional partner.
- In season 35 she was partnered with Conner Leavitt and finished 13th, eliminated first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Adele Zaikman?
Adele Zaikman is 24 years old as of 2026, as listed in the cast of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
What is Adele Zaikman known for?
Adele Zaikman is best known for winning Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro in 2026 and joining Dancing with the Stars season 35.
Who is Adele Zaikman partnered with in season 35?
In Dancing with the Stars season 35, Adele Zaikman was partnered with Conner Leavitt.
Where is Adele Zaikman from?
Adele Zaikman is based in Los Angeles, California.
What dance style does Adele Zaikman perform?
Adele Zaikman is a Latin dancer.