trictly’s Nikita Kuzmin hopes girlfriend ‘says yes’ as he opens up on marriage
Strictly Come Dancing pro Nikita Kuzmin has opened up about his relationship with model girlfriend Lauren Jaine, as he juggles his debut solo tour with life in the spotlight
t only 27, Nikita Kuzmin is creating ripples throughout the dance industry, mesmerising audiences on Strictly Come Dancing while launching his first solo tour. However, behind the sparkle and spectacle is a thoughtful outlook as the Ukraine-born dancer talks about staying true to himself.
This includes embracing his anxieties or standing by his artistic choices despite criticism, especially the backlash he faced on Strictly when dancing with Layton Williams in a same-sex partnership. Away from the limelight, Nikita shares his life with his model girlfriend, Lauren Jaine, 23, who offers him grounding amidst the whirlwind of practice sessions and performances.
Despite exhausting 12-hour training days, the couple manage to find quality time together through Marvel movie marathons and pleasant dates. As he kicks off his first solo tour, Nikita opened up about his “superpower” and what the future holds in a chat with OK!
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Nikita Kuzmin and Lauren Jaine(Image: @lauren.jaine/Instagram)
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Naturally, the television personality has an incredibly packed schedule with his solo tour, prompting fans to wonder how he balances that with his private life. He explained, “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!” The pair, who have been an item for nearly two years, are already making plans for their future together. Nikita revealed: “I’m hopeful that one day she’ll say yes! We recently watched a video of a wedding in South Africa and were quite moved by it. So, why not?”
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When discussing date nights, they both share a “penchant for adventures”. From spontaneous road trips and hikes to exploring hidden gems around London, the couple are currently enjoying cosy nights in watching Modern Family. He said: “It’s less about what we do and more about simply being together and respecting each other’s space.”
As a professional dancer, Nikita frequently develops close bonds with his dance partners, which could potentially spark jealousy. Addressing how he navigates this with Lauren, he explained: “It can be challenging for anyone who isn’t a dancer to comprehend, but she understands it’s merely a job.
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Nikita has become a fan favourite on Strictly(Image: OK! Magazine / Lorna Roach)
“We don’t view it romantically – it’s just part of our profession. If there was ever a problem, we’d discuss it and resolve it promptly.”
The Strictly professional is busy performing weekly on the programme whilst simultaneously touring with his own show. Despite things going “brilliantly”, he admits the demanding schedule has inevitably impacted him physically.
“I won’t sugarcoat it; my body is feeling the strain, but the show is in a fantastic place. I’m really pleased with it,” he shared with OK!. “During rehearsals, we were putting in 12-hour days. It was draining, but when you’re crafting something special, it’s worth the effort.”
Reflecting on some of the most challenging moments he faced on the show, Nikita spoke about his time with his former dance partner, Layton Williams. The pair made it to the final in 2023 and made history as the first same-sex male couple on the show, a decision that wasn’t without its critics.
Nikita looked back on this period, stating: “The biggest challenge was staying true to ourselves, despite criticism. Like when Layton wore a skirt and heels – we stood by that decision 100%. We knew some people wouldn’t like it, but it mattered. We had each other’s backs, no matter what.”
Eagle-eyed fans may have spotted Nikita dancing with a glucose monitor on his arm, leading to questions about how he manages his diabetes amidst the whirlwind of the show. He admitted that it can be “overwhelming” at times, but he sees it as his “superpower”.
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Nikita says his diabetes is his superpower(Image: Instagram / nikita__kuzmin)
He went on to say: “It makes me more accountable and conscious of my body. If I can motivate even one person by demonstrating that it’s possible to dance with diabetes, then I’ve fulfilled my role.”
Having already had an impressive career, including a stint on Celebrity Big Brother just last year, Nikita revealed that after expressing interest in the reality show to his agent, things moved quickly. Although he admitted it fell short of his expectations, finding it tougher than anticipated. He said, “I assumed it would be a breeze. Just wandering around a house and sleeping? As it turns out, it was incredibly difficult.”
Nikita went on to explain, “I’m a very private individual, so the lack of personal space quickly sapped my energy. But that’s the purpose of the show – it generates tension.” Indeed, maintaining his privacy remains one of the biggest challenges in his career. Whilst the dancer “cherishes” his work, he equally values living as an “ordinary” person.
The strict star elaborated: “It took me years to strike a balance, but I’ve found my methods now, like surrounding myself with loved ones and concentrating on what truly matters.”
He emerged from Big Brother with enduring friendships, including bonds with Bradley Riches, Marisha Wallace, and Colson Smith. According to him, they’re all planning to attend his show, alongside A-lister Sharon Osbourne.
Despite yearning for a normal existence, Nikkita remains eager to tackle fresh reality TV ventures, and given the choice, he’d love to appear on I’m A Celebrity, Race Across The World or even MasterChef.
