Robert Herjavec Shares How His Mother Inspired His DWTS Journey
“Dancing with the Stars” alum Robert Herjavec competed on Season 20 of the show in 2015. It was one of the best decisions of his life because the journey also led to him finding lasting love with professional dance partner Kym Johnson, who is now his wife. The pair married in 2016. But what made the “Shark Tank” star want to compete on the ABC dance competition?
Robert Herjavec Reflects on His DWTS Journey
Herjavec revealed how his journey first started because of his mother, Katica, who was a big fan of the show. “My mom [wound] up getting ovarian cancer, and I would go to the hospital every Monday, and we would throw ‘Dancing with the Stars’ parties with all of the other ladies on the ward,” he said at the Clover x Shark Tank Summit in Las Vegas, Parade reports.
Herjavec recalled the conversation he had with his mom, which inspired the start of his journey, and how he competed in her honor. “One day, my mom looks at me and says, ‘Robby, you’re so beautiful, why would you not be on DWTS?’ This was at least 10 years before being on TV was even in my universe. So, of course, I look at her and say, ‘Mom, if they ever ask me, I’ll do it for you.’”
Despite not winning the Mirrorball Trophy, Herjavec, who placed sixth, left with so much more. Herjavec and Johnson have built a life together, sharing twins, and his experience on the show was unforgettable. He told Parade that the show is “near and dear” to his heart and even referred to it as the “highlight” of his career.
He continued, “It’s so funny, the dots of your life never connect until you look back. When you get older and look back, you see this connects to that, and it all makes sense. Write the life that when you look back, you’ll be happy with it!”
Robert Herjavec Shows Support for Kym Johnson
Johnson will return to the ballroom as a guest judge on Season 34, with her husband’s full support. In an Instagram post on October 9, Herjavec praised his wife, referring to her as a “superwoman.”
“Back to the ballroom! The superwoman that is @kymherjavec5678 is coming back to DWTS as a guest judge this Tuesday, October 14th!” he wrote in the caption. “She’s truly done it all – 3-time Mirrorball Champion (including once in Australia!), host, judge in Australia, and now back on the U.S. stage alongside @derekhough, @carrieanninaba & @brunotonioliofficial.”
Gabi Elnicki Gets Engaged to Longtime Boyfriend Zach Calling Herself the ‘Luckiest Girl in the World’
Bachelor Nation fans first saw Gabi Elnicki searching for love with Zach Shallcross on Season 27 of "
Now, the couple has shared the exciting news that they are engaged! Gabi posted a series of engagement photos with the caption: “Luckiest girl in the world.”
The newly engaged pair spoke with People about the beachside San Diego proposal. Gabi described it as “perfect — totally unexpected and so full of love!”
The Bachelor Nation star revealed that her sister, Chloe, helped Zach plan the surprise. Chloe had organized “family photos” for the group, leading Gabi to think nothing unusual was happening.
“Everyone was calm and leaning into the whole 'family photos' bit, so I was convinced [the proposal] wasn’t happening… When the actual proposal was happening, I thought Zach was apologizing for not proposing… and then suddenly he was down on one knee,” she shared.
Gabi’s Bachelor Nation bestie Jess Girod was also there, capturing photos from the side.
Many Bachelor Nation stars flooded the comments with love and congratulations.
Charity Lawson wrote, “Crying!!!! Sooo happy for y’all, love you both!!!!” Bri Springs added, “Awwww congratulations!!!!!! Screaming!” And Kaity Biggar Shallcross chimed in, “FINALLY!!!!!!! 😍 Congrats you guys! ❤️❤️❤️ We’ve been waiting for this!!!!!”
