If you’ve spent any time watching Dancing with the Stars, you know the tension in the ballroom isn’t always about the footwork. Sometimes, it’s about the history sitting right at the judges' table. One of the most fascinating, and frankly, under-discussed chapters in the show’s lore is the Carrie Ann Inaba and Artem relationship.
They weren't just colleagues. They were a legitimate couple for nearly three years, long before Artem became a household name on the ABC hit. It’s a bit of a "forgotten" Hollywood romance, but when you look at how it started and how it ended, it explains a lot about the professional dynamic they share today.
How it All Began: The SYTYCD Meet-Cute
Most people think they met on the DWTS set.
Wrong.
They actually met back in 2006 on a different stage entirely. Artem Chigvintsev was a contestant on the very first season of So You Think You Can Dance, and Carrie Ann was there as a choreographer. There was a 14-year age gap—Carrie Ann was 38 and Artem was 24—but the chemistry was instant.
By the time the season wrapped, they were an item. It wasn't some fleeting summer fling, either. They moved in together fairly quickly. For the next two and a half years, they were a fixture at industry events. They were the "it" dance couple before the world even knew what a "Pro" was.
The Breakup That Nobody Saw Coming
By late 2008, things started to shift.
In early 2009, Carrie Ann went on the record with People magazine to confirm the split. She was surprisingly candid. She didn't throw shade or leak drama to the tabloids. Instead, she called him a "fine gentleman" and praised how grounded he was.
Basically, they just realized they weren't "the one" for each other.
"As much as our relationship was really good, we realized that neither of us was 'the one' for the other," Inaba shared at the time. "It was very sad to let go of something that was so good on so many levels."
It’s rare to see a celebrity breakup that stays this civil for decades. Usually, there’s a leaked DM or a "source" whispering about infidelity. Not here. They just grew apart as their careers took different trajectories. Artem eventually moved back to England for a stint on Strictly Come Dancing before returning to the States to join the DWTS pro roster in 2014.
The Awkwardness of Judging an Ex
Imagine going to work and having to publicly critique your ex’s performance in front of millions of people.
That’s exactly what happened when Artem joined Dancing with the Stars. For years, fans have scrutinized Carrie Ann’s scoring whenever Artem is on the floor. Is she too hard on him? Is she overcompensating to prove she doesn't have a bias?
This reached a fever pitch during Season 29.
Artem was paired with Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe. The internet went into a total meltdown, accusing Carrie Ann of being "bully-ish" toward the pair. People were convinced she was holding a decade-old grudge. Carrie Ann, never one to stay silent, had to address it on The Talk.
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She basically told everyone to pipe down.
She insisted her judging comes from her background as a dancer and choreographer, not from who she used to share a bed with. Honestly, it’s a tough spot to be in. If she gives him a 10, it's favoritism. If she gives him an 8, it's a vendetta. You can't win.
Where They Stand Now
Fast forward to today, and the Carrie Ann Inaba and Artem relationship is strictly professional and surprisingly supportive.
When Artem married Nikki Bella in 2022, Carrie Ann was one of the first to offer public congratulations. She’s often talked about how much she likes Nikki and how happy she is to see Artem as a father to his son, Matteo.
It’s a masterclass in "ex-etiquette."
In an industry where bridges are usually burned with gasoline, these two managed to keep the structure intact. They’ve both moved on to different chapters—Carrie Ann with her various engagements and health advocacy, and Artem with his family life and reality TV career—but the respect remains.
What You Can Learn From Their Dynamic
If you're looking for a takeaway from this Hollywood saga, it’s about the power of the "clean break."
- Communication matters. Both have mentioned in the past that they were always ready to "talk it out."
- Professionalism is a choice. You don't have to be best friends with an ex, but you can be a respectful colleague.
- Time heals, but maturity helps. The age gap didn't break them; the realization of different futures did.
The next time you see Carrie Ann docking a point for a "lift" in an Artem routine, remember: it’s probably just a lift. Or maybe it's not. That’s the fun of the ballroom, isn't it?
To get a better sense of how Carrie Ann handles the heat of live television, you might want to look into her history of judging controversies. It shows that her "tough love" style isn't exclusive to her exes—it's just how she rolls.