DANIELLA KARAGACH
(Disney/Eric McCandless)

Daniella Karagach Discusses ‘Team Effort’ of Making DWTS Finale With Husband Pasha Pashkov

Dancing with the Stars shocked viewers during the semi-finals. Five couples remained, but one pair would be going home. The competition was fierce, as was my nausea. Well, the show pulled a fast one. For the first time in DWTS history, all five couples are competing in the finale.

And this decision was special for another reason. Married dance pros Daniella Karagach and husband Pasha Pashkov are both competing in the finale. Daniella is partnered with singer Jason Mraz, while Pasha is dancing with Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix.

Daniella and Pasha are the first married pros to compete in a finale

Dancing with the Stars Season 32 semi-finals
(Disney/Eric McCandless)

Daniella shared how special it is for her and Pasha to be in the finale. “He helps me, I help him, and it has always been a team effort from the get-go. To see him thrive this season … tops everything for me, so honestly, it’s just going to be the best experience for us both,” Daniella told PEOPLE. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Nikita, in May 2023.

Pasha is thrilled by his accomplishments this season. “Honestly, the season already feels like a win. My first 10, my first perfect score, my first finale,” he stated. “But overall, more important than that is an amazing journey with this amazing partner.” 

Pasha continued, “I’m just over the moon happy with the whole thing. It’s more than just a competition.” He called it “a true life-changing journey.”

During the tension-filled elimination, actress Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber, The Bachelorette star Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev, and Daniella and Jason were safe.

That left Pasha and Ariana and Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy in danger of going home. When Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced that both couples were also going to the finale, everyone was shocked.

Ariana referred to the twist as “terrifying.” She added, “That was the most messed-up thing ever.” And she would know as she survived Scandoval.

“I can tell you, I felt Ariana’s stomach curl up in a tiny little ball. I don’t know how it’s possible, but it was on an energetic level,” Pasha admitted.

The Season 32 finale of Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.

TELL US – WHO ARE YOU ROOTING FOR IN THE FINALE? DO YOU THINK THAT DANIELLA OR PASHA WILL WIN?

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