Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hauer has welcomed the New Year by sharing a powerful and emotional personal milestone with her followers. The professional dancer revealed she has celebrated one full year of being alcohol-free, describing the journey as the bravest act of her life.
A Raw and Honest Revelation
Marking the start of 2026, Hauer posted a reflective black-and-white photograph of herself sitting on the floor. In a candid caption, she opened up about the profound personal challenge. "One year alcohol free," she wrote. "I faced my raw self for the first time… scared, sad, angry. But also clearer. Pausing. Progressing."
The dancer, famed for her partnerships with celebrities like Jamie Laing on the BBC show, confessed that she had previously used social drinking as a mask. "I hid behind 'just having fun'," she admitted, "but deep down I was closing my eyes tightly, gritting my teeth, hoping the pain would stop."
The Bravest Act: Stopping the Run
Hauer identified a crucial turning point in her wellbeing. "Turns out the bravest thing I’ve done was stop running from myself," she stated. This decision to confront her emotions head-on, rather than numb them, has led to a new chapter of healing and self-understanding.
She elaborated on her ongoing process, saying she is now "slowly better at reasoning with myself," understanding her feelings and permitting herself to experience them fully, even during moments of anxiety. "That’s my process of healing," Hauer affirmed, "and I’m okay with that."
Support System and Looking Forward
The Venezuelan-born dancer credited her support network for helping her through this transformative year. She toasted to "many more positive days ahead, with love, support and my little family," mentioning her partner, ex-rugby player Simon Davidson, and her four dogs.
Her heartfelt post was immediately flooded with messages of admiration and pride from fans and friends alike, celebrating her strength as she steps into 2026.
This revelation follows Hauer's recent emotional appearance on Paul C. Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, where she detailed the distress of her previous marriage to Jordan Wyn-Jones. She described feeling "emotionally battered" and living in constant "panic mode," which she believes contributed to stress-induced hair loss from the autoimmune condition alopecia.
Karen Hauer's candid discussion about her sobriety milestone adds to a growing conversation about mental health and wellness in the public eye, offering an inspiring message of self-acceptance and resilience as the new year begins.
