Karen Hauer's Biography

Who is Karen Hauer?

She originally comes from Valencia in Venezuela, but moved to New York when she was eight.

Karen Hauer attended LaGuardia HS of the Performing Arts.

Since 2009, she toured as a principal dancer in the show Burn The Floor.

Karen Hauer has danced in competitions with her former husband Matt, but latterly she danced with her second husband, Kevin Clifton, who joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2013.

Her ballroom dancing accolades include being World Mambo Champion in 2008 and Professional American Rhythm Rising Star Champion in 2009.

She has also featured in the top 12 of So You Think You Can Dance in the USA.

In June 2012, the BBC revealed that Karen Hauer, as she then was, aged 30, was to take over the professional dancer spot vacated by Katya Virshilas on Strictly Come Dancing. Karen was partnered with Nicky Byrne. They were the ninth couple to be eliminated.

In 2013, Karen Hauer was partnered by Dave Myers in Strictly Come Dancing. Dave and Karen were the sixth pair to be voted off.

In 2014, she was paired with Mark Wright in Strictly Come Dancing. They got to the final but finished fourth.

In 2015, she was partnered with Jeremy Vine. They were the seventh couple to be voted off.

In 2016, she was paired with Will Young.

In May 2017, she and her husband were scheduled to start a tour entitled Kevin and Karen Dance.

In Strictly Come Dancing 2017, Karen was paired with Simon Rimmer.

They were the fifth couple to be eliminated.

In 2018, Karen and Kevin Clifton announced they were breaking up, however they would continue their professional partnership.

In the same year she was paired with Charles Venn in Strictly Come Dancing.

In 2019, she was partnered by Chris Ramsey. They were the 11th couple to be eliminated - just missing out on being in the final three.

In 2020, she was paired with Jamie Laing. They ended up reaching the final (of the last four pairs).

In 2022, Karen Hauer was paired with Jayde Adams.They were the fourth couple to be voted off.

In 2023, Karen, who was the longest-serving professional dancer, was paired with Eddie Kadi on Strictly.

They were the fourth couple to be eliminated.

In 2024, she was paired with Paul Merson.

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