Even a wish upon a star won’t get Adele Zaikman into the ballroom.
While the Dancing With the Starspro, who was partnered with Connor Leavittbefore their week one exit, has been a key member of the eliminated cohort that performs during show breaks, she’s recently been sidelined by an illness.
“I’m sadly feeling unwell and won’t be performing in the opening number on Dancing With the Stars tomorrow,” the 25-year-old wrote in a since-expired Instagram Story Nov. 1. “I’m so sad to miss a show day, but I’ll be taking this time to take care of myself. Sending so much love to everyone on that ballroom floor. I’ll be cheering you on from home.”
Because she’s under the weather, Zaikman—who earned a season 35 spot by placing first on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro—will miss the Nov. 2’s Disney-themed night.
And even though the road is looking rough ahead, Zaikman’s got many friends willing to stick together and help her see it through.
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“I think that I’m the luckiest human on earth,” she said in a video shared to her Story later that day, adding that her friend Brenda “just stopped by just to give me this superfood honey and things that help me with my cough and some special teas.”
Not only that, but the good friend also dropped off some blueberry muffins. “How good do they look?” Zaikman stressed. “I mean, I am so lucky that I have people like that in my life.”
ABC/ José Alvarado, Jr.
But while Zaikman will hopefully be back in the ballroom faster than you can say, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” she will indeed miss week eight of Dancing With the Stars.
Instead, the other eliminated pros—including Hailey Bills, Alan Bersten, Britt Stewart, Brandon Armstrong, Witney Carson, Sharna Burgess and Emma Slater—will be there to cut a rug when the episode airs live on Monday, as opposed to its usual Tuesday slot. (The episode was moved due to the midterm elections on Nov. 3.)
As for Zaikman, a position as one of the pros isn’t the only thing her time on DWTS: The Next Pro earned her: She also walked away with a new boyfriend.
Indeed, one month after the series aired its finale on Aug. 31, it was revealed Zaikman and her fellow contestant Allen Genkin’s onscreen bond had taken a turn for the romantic offscreen.
For Zaikman, her time alongside Genkin on the series cemented him as someone she wanted to be with.
“When I got to know Allen on The Next Pro, I immediately felt that he was one of the kindest souls I’d ever met,” she told E! News in October. “Having such a strong bond and friendship first makes our relationship now feel so right.”
She added, “There’s so much trust because we built it before we were romantically involved. It’s that feeling of knowing the person, knowing his heart.”
For a closer look at the people the DWTS pros have chosen to dance off into the sunset with, read on.
Instagram / Jenna Johnson
Initially hesitant due to their six-and-a-half-year age gap, he recalled to DancesportInfo in 2017, “
The dancer and the CODA star got engaged in 2023 and tied the knot two years later.
“I love you,” Britt told Daniel while signing their vows in a video from their wedding day. “I think my soul loved you before I met you.”
“When I got to know Allen on The Next Pro, I immediately felt that he was one of the kindest souls I’d ever met,” she told E! News in October 2026. “Having such a strong bond and friendship first makes our relationship now feel so right.”
“I said, ‘Hey, how are you?’ he recalled to Joe Vulpis in 2024, “and she ghosted me.”
After her mom convinced her to give him a chance, Brylee and Brandon started dating in 2021 and he proposed the following year with a custom movie trailer. Months later, they tied the knot.
“If y’all knew Bry the way I do,” Brandon wrote on Instagram in May 2026, “your life would be 100 times better.”
“His aunt was my Uber driver in L.A., which was crazy,” the dancer told It Girl in September 2026. “I got in her car, was talking to her, and she was like, ‘I have a nephew who’s playing football at USC. You should reach out to him.'”After Rylee followed the tight-end, later suiting up for Utah’s BYU, on Instagram, “He messaged me,” she continued, “and then the rest is history.”
And while they didn’t nab the mirrorball trophy while competing the following year, they scored a bigger prize, welcoming son Zane in 2022. Two years later, Brian and Sharna got engaged.
“I’m so grateful I get to do life with you,” she wrote in a 2024 birthday tribute to the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum, also dad to kids Noah, Bodhi and Journey from his former marriage to Megan as well as son Kassius from past relationship with Vanessa Marcil. “Us, our tribe, our adventures past present and future… it’s all everything I’ve ever wanted.”
Marrying in 2016, the singer and the dancer collaborate both in life—as parents to son Banksi—and in work, teaming up for their band Alexander Jean.
Calling BC’s love and support “unmatched,” Mark wrote in a 2025 Instagram post, “You’re the best wife & friend a man could ask for.”
