Nikita Kuzmin has put any fears of the infamous Strictly Come Dancing curse to bed, revealing that his girlfriend, Lauren Jaine, is fully aware that for him, dancing is strictly business. The professional, who has been on the show since 2021, has seen first-hand how rumours can fly out of control amongst the contestants. However, as he approaches two years with model Lauren, Nikita insists that his performances don’t tango into their relationship as he tells us, “I think it can be difficult for anyone who isn’t a dancer to understand, but she knows it’s just a job. We don’t really think about it in a romantic way – it’s just part of what we do. And if there was ever an issue, we’d talk about it and just sort it out.”
Nikita has been with Lauren since early 2023
(Image: Getty Images)
Admitting he has thought about the future and potentially marrying Lauren, it’s clear Nikita is smitten as he gushed over her supportive nature. “I’m really lucky to have a supportive family and girlfriend. I always call my mum on my way home, and when I get back, I have Lauren waiting for me. We make time for each other. Last night, after a 12-hour rehearsal, we watched Iron Man. We’re going through the entire Marvel series!” he laughs. Nikita took to Instagram in October 2023 to make his romance with Lauren ‘Insta official’, sharing an adorable collection of snaps. They are thought to have began dating in early 2023, with Lauren often supporting Nikita during the Strictly live shows and during his 2024 stint on Celebrity Big Brother.
He joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, pictured here dancing with partner Tilly Ramsay
(Image: BBC/PA Wire)
As they went public with their relationship, an insider told The Sun : “Nikita and Lauren have been dating for months and seem to have an amazing connection. The pair have tried to keep their romance under the radar but they have been attending events together and are really enjoying each other’s company.” The source continued: “His Strictly co-stars also think they are a great match and are rooting for the pair.” Amidst his hectic schedule with his UK and Ireland tour, Midnight Dancer, Nikita is counting his blessings for Lauren’s presence in his life. Despite feeling physically spent, he shared his enthusiasm about the tour: “[The tour is going] Great! Not gonna lie, my body is shattered but the show is in a great place, I’m really happy with it. During rehearsals we were doing 12-hour days. It was exhausting, but when you’re creating something special, it’s worth it.”
