Karina Smirnoff left Dancing With the Stars after season 22 in pursuit of other opportunities — and she’s still thriving.

Smirnoff was cast as a pro dancer for 2006’s season 3, where she was paired with Saved by the Bell alum Mario Lopez. The pair finished in second place, leading Smirnoff to secure a regular place in the cast lineup year after year.

The choreographer finally won her first and only mirrorball trophy during 2011’s season 13 alongside J.R. Martinez. Smirnoff left the show five years later.

“Many of you have been asking if I will be back for season 20 of DWTS and I wanted all of my incredible family to hear it directly from me,” Smirnoff wrote via Instagram in February 2015. “After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided to focus my energies on some other exciting endeav

See Full Page