Nikita Kuzmin


Nikita Kuzmin is a Ukrainian dancer and choreographer. He is best known for being a professional dancer on the RTL and BBC One dance competitions Let's Dance and Strictly Come Dancing. Kuzmin is also the holder of six Italian Championship titles. In 2024 he was the runner-up on the 23rd series of Celebrity Big Brother.
IG nikita__kuzminFandom strictly-come-dancing-fan...

Early life

Kuzmin was born on 23 December 1997 in Kyiv, Ukraine. His family moved to Italy when Kuzmin was nine. At 13 years of age he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He has an older sister, Anastasia Kuzmina, who has appeared as a professional dancer on Ballando con le Stelle. He has lived in Frankfurt, Germany since the age of 18.

Career

''Let's Dance''

In 2020, Kuzmin became a professional dancer on the RTL dance competition Let's Dance for the 13th season, where he was partnered with rapper Sabrina Setlur. They were the second couple to be eliminated. Kuzmin did not return for the 14th season.
SeasonPartnerPlace
13Sabrina Setlur13th

Season 13

Celebrity partner: Sabrina Setlur
;Notes

''Strictly Come Dancing''

On 26 July 2021, Kuzmin was announced as one of four new professional dancers joining the nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing. Upon joining the show, Kuzmin said "I've always been amazed by the magic Strictly Come Dancing brings and that no matter what country I have found myself living in, I've never missed a chance to watch it. Joining it as a professional dancer is my big chance to make some magic on the most famous dance floor. I can't wait to give it my all." Kuzmin has also previously worked for judge Motsi Mabuse's dance company in Germany. In his first season, Kuzmin was paired with Tilly Ramsay; they were eliminated from the competition in week 10. In his second season, Kuzmin was paired with Ellie Simmonds; they were eliminated from the competition in week 7. In his third season, Kuzmin was paired with Layton Williams. They made it to the final where they finished as joint runners-up, alongside Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell, and behind series champions Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola. In his fourth
season, Kuzmin was paired with Sam Quek; they were eliminated in week 7. In his fifth season, Kuzmin was initially paired with Dani Dyer, however following the launch show, Dyer sustained a fractured ankle during rehearsal and had to withdraw from the competition. He was subsequently re-partnered with Dyer's replacement Amber Davies, prior to the first live show.
SeriesPartnerPlaceAverage score
19Tilly Ramsay6th31.5
20Ellie Simmonds10th29.2
21Layton Williams2nd36.8
22Sam Quek10th27.0
23Amber Davies2nd36.2

DancePartnerHighestPartnerLowest
American SmoothAmber Davies35Sam Quek29
Argentine TangoLayton Williams40Amber Davies33
Cha-cha-chaLayton Williams37Ellie Simmonds26
CharlestonLayton Williams
Amber Davies		40Sam Quek22
Couple's ChoiceTilly Ramsay
Amber Davies		40Layton Williams39
FoxtrotTilly Ramsay36Sam Quek23
Instant DanceAmber Davies4
JiveAmber Davies40Tilly Ramsay27
Paso DobleLayton Williams40Sam Quek
Ellie Simmonds		30
QuickstepLayton Williams40Sam Quek26
RumbaLayton Williams36
SalsaLayton Williams39Ellie Simmonds30
SambaTilly Ramsay30Sam Quek28
ShowdanceLayton Williams
Amber Davies		39
TangoAmber Davies37Tilly Ramsay31
Viennese WaltzAmber Davies35Layton Williams28
WaltzEllie Simmonds30Tilly Ramsay21

Color key:
  • number indicates when Nikita and his partner were at the top of the leaderboard.
  • number indicates when Nikita and his partner were at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Series 19

Celebrity partner: Tilly Ramsay
;Notes

Series 20

Celebrity partner: Ellie Simmonds
;Notes

Series 21

Celebrity partner: Layton Williams
;Notes

Series 22

Celebrity partner: Sam Quek
;Notes

Series 23

Celebrity partner: Amber Davies
;Notes

Christmas Specials

Celebrity partners: Tamzin Outhwaite
;Notes

Other work

In March 2024 Kuzmin entered the Celebrity Big Brother house as a housemate on the 23rd series. He finished the series in second place behind David Potts of Ibiza Weekender fame.
In September 2024 Kuzmin announced he would appear with Jowita Przystał at "Dancing with the Stars Weekends" 2025.

Personal life

In March 2022, Kuzmin appeared on Lorraine to discuss his fears for his grandmother living in Ukraine following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They were later reunited.
In October 2023, Kuzmin was reported to be dating a model called Lauren Jaine.
He is a Type 1 diabetic, having been diagnosed at the age of 13. His CGM sensor is often visible in his Strictly Come Dancing costumes.