Ever wondered about the petite powerhouse who’s been stealing hearts on Dancing with the Stars?
Daniella Karagach stands at just 5’3″ tall and weighs around 115 pounds, but don’t let her small frame fool you – this 32-year-old dance champion packs more talent per square inch than dancers twice her size.
Born on December 26, 1992, New York (ABC profile), this Brooklyn-born beauty has danced her way from a hyperactive kid with ADHD to becoming one of America’s most beloved ballroom dancers. I’ve been following her journey for years, and trust me, her story is way more fascinating than you might think.
Early Life and Background (1992-2009)
Picture this: a tiny, energetic kid bouncing off the walls in Brooklyn, New York. That was Daniella Brittany Karagach Pashkova back in the day.
Her parents, Mark Karagach and Regina Yvette Karagach, were Moldovan immigrants who divorced when she was barely one year old. Growing up in Forest Hills and Bath Beach neighborhoods with her single mom wasn’t easy.
When doctors diagnosed her with ADHD at age six, her mother made a brilliant decision (In An Interview with Tennessean) She explained. Instead of medication, she enrolled little Daniella in ballroom dance classes. The kid who couldn’t sit still in class suddenly found her focus on the dance floor.
She started ballet at age three and Latin dance at seven. Despite the challenges, she crushed it academically too, getting into honors programs at Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School before studying childhood education at the College of Staten Island.
Daniella Karagach Professional Dance Career (2009-2019)
At age 11, Daniella partnered with Leonid Juashkovsky for her first serious competition work. Together, they became three-time USA Dance Junior Latin Champions and represented the U.S. at IDSF World Championships in Latvia, Russia, and Barcelona.
But the real game-changer happened in January 2009 when she met Pavel “Pasha” Pashkov. She was just 16, he was 22 – and their first tryout lasted only 20 minutes. Yet they both knew something special was happening.
Their partnership exploded into success. They became seven-time United States 10-Dance Champions (Us Weekly), won the 2017 Blackpool Dance Festival Rising Star Professional Championship, and snagged the 2018 U.S. Latin American Showdance Championship (World DanceSport Federation).
Here’s what blew my mind: they became the first U.S. couple in forty years to represent America in all four dance styles at world championships. They also appeared on NBC’s World of Dance season 2 in 2018, setting the stage for their DWTS careers.
Personal Relationship Timeline
You know how some couples have that “meant to be” vibe? That’s Daniella and Pasha all over.
They started dating when she turned 18 in 2010. Pasha proposed on New Year’s Day 2012, and they married on July 18, 2014, in New Jersey after a two-year engagement.
Their relationship works because it’s both romantic and professional. They help each other with choreography, compete on the same show, and run their online dance school together.
Their lucky number? 11:11. They see it everywhere and consider it their angel number showing they’re on the right path. Pretty sweet, if you ask me.
Daniella Karagach Dancing with the Stars Journey (2019-Present)
Daniella joined Dancing with the Stars in season 28 (2019) as a troupe member before becoming a pro in season 29 with rapper Nelly.
Season 30 was her breakthrough moment. Paired with former NBA player Iman Shumpert, they made history. Shumpert became the first former NBA player to win the show, earning Daniella her first Mirrorball Trophy and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography.
In season 32, she partnered with Jason Mraz and reached the finale as runner-up. Currently in season 33, she’s working with 6’10” Dwight Howard – imagine the choreography challenges with that height difference!
Daniella’s Motherhood Journey
Pregnancy Loss and Recovery
In July 2022, Daniella learned she was pregnant but suffered a miscarriage at five weeks. “I just remember one day I was pregnant, and then the next day I wasn’t,” she shared in 2024.
She found comfort watching YouTube videos of other women with similar experiences. Pasha became her “saving grace” during this dark time.
Rainbow Baby
Four months later, they announced they were expecting again. Their daughter, Nikita Sofia Pashkova, was born on May 30, 2023.
Daniella jokes that Nikita looks exactly like Pasha but has her personality – “so open and straightforward, like she knows what she wants but she’s also the sweetest.”
Career and Motherhood Balance
Returning to DWTS as a new mom brought unique challenges. “I’m drained because I want to make sure I’m doing everything to make him look good. Then when you go home, you can’t unwind and relax. You’ve got to take care of a baby.”
She now calls motherhood her “superpower,” saying, “I never really knew how strong I was until I was becoming a mom.”
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Business Ventures and Current Projects
Daniella and Pasha launched The Wedding Dance School in October 2020, an online platform for engaged couples preparing for their first dance. The timing was perfect with COVID giving people more time at home.
They also appeared on So You Think You Can Dance in 2022 as choreographers and regularly help each other with DWTS routines. “He helps me, I help him, and it has always been a team effort,” Daniella explained.
Recent Milestones and Celebrations
July 2025 marked their 11th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The intimate celebration had exactly 20 guests, with daughter Nikita as their flower girl.
Daniella wore a stunning white lace set while Pasha looked sharp in a cream suit. Her childhood best friend officiated the ceremony – talk about keeping it personal!
For their 10th anniversary in July 2024, they chose Six Flags Magic Mountain after spending the morning with Nikita. They know how to balance fun with family time.
Daniella Karagach Privacy and Public Life Balance
Being in the spotlight with a young daughter brings challenges. In March 2025, Daniella had to ask fans to respect Nikita’s privacy during the DWTS tour after an incident in Biloxi, Mississippi where fans approached Nikita when she was with her grandmother.
The DWTS tour runs until April 19, 2025, and they travel with Nikita to cities like Chicago and Nashville. Daniella shares glimpses of family life on social media while keeping Nikita’s face mostly private.
Physical Characteristics and Personal Details
Here’s what makes Daniella unique in the dance world:
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5’3″ (1.60 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 115 lbs |
| Hair | Blonde |
| Eyes | Brown |
| Build | Athletic |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Ethnicity | Moldovan-American |
Her petite stature hasn’t stopped her from partnering with much taller celebrities. Dancing with 6’10” Dwight Howard this season showcases her incredible adaptability as a choreographer.
Her athletic build comes from years of rigorous training starting with ballet at age three and Latin dance at seven. Her Moldovan-American heritage connects her to her parents’ immigrant story, while her Brooklyn upbringing gave her that determined spirit.
Legacy and Impact
Daniella Karagach represents something bigger than dance. Her openness about ADHD, pregnancy loss, and balancing career with motherhood has made her incredibly relatable.
She’s proven that having ADHD doesn’t limit achievement – it can become your superpower when channeled correctly. Her mother’s decision to use dance as treatment instead of medication was revolutionary.
As a ballroom dancer who’s achieved both competitive success and mainstream television fame, she’s bridging different worlds. From Brooklyn Ballet studios to Dancing with the Stars, she’s shown that talent and hard work can take you anywhere.
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Conclusion
From a hyperactive kid in Brooklyn to a Dancing with the Stars champion and devoted mother, Daniella’s journey proves that our biggest challenges often become our greatest strengths.
At 32 years old and 5’3″ tall, she’s living proof that success isn’t about size – it’s about heart, determination, and authenticity. Her marriage to Pasha, their business ventures, and beautiful daughter Nikita show she’s winning at life both on and off the dance floor.
What’s your favorite Daniella moment from DWTS? Drop a comment and let me know!
FAQ About Daniella Karagach
How tall is Daniella Karagach?
Daniella is 5’3″ (1.60 m) tall, making her one of the shorter professional dancers on DWTS.
What is Daniella Karagach’s age?
Born December 26, 1992, Daniella is currently 32 years old.
Who is Daniella Karagach’s husband?
She’s married to Pavel “Pasha” Pashkov, also a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars since 2014.
Does Daniella Karagach have children?
Yes, she has a daughter named Nikita Sofia Pashkova, born May 30, 2023.
What’s Daniella Karagach’s background?
She’s Moldovan-American, born in Brooklyn to immigrant parents, and was diagnosed with ADHD as a child.
How did Daniella meet Pasha?
They met in January 2009 through their dance coaches when she was 16 and he was 22, starting their relationship after she turned 18.
What dance competitions has Daniella won?
She’s a seven-time United States 10-Dance Champion, 2017 Blackpool Dance Festival winner, and 2018 U.S. Latin American Showdance Championship winner.
My name is Luna, the editor and publisher of SportsWane.com. With 9 years of experience writing and editing for many blog sites, I loves to sharing fun and interesting sports stories. I works hard to bring clear, honest, and exciting sports news that fans enjoy reading. When not writing, I enjoys watching games and learning new facts about players and teams. SportsWane is all about simple, true, and cool sports content for everyone to enjoy.
