Karen Hauer, the longest-serving female professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has announced her departure from the show after 14 years. The Venezuelan-born dancer shared an emotional video on Instagram, stating it was "the right time to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas I’m passionate about."
In the video, Hauer reflected on how Strictly transformed her life, both as a performer and as a person. She expressed gratitude for the celebrity partners she danced with, describing them as close friends. She even admitted she would miss standing before the judges, "smiling politely while sometimes secretly disagreeing."
Hauer first appeared on Strictly in 2012, partnered with Westlife singer Nicky Byrne, reaching the quarter-finals. She later reached the finals with Mark Wright in 2014 and finished second with Jamie Laing in 2019. Before Strictly, she auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance in the US and came to the UK in 2010 with the Latin stage show Burn the Floor.
Born in Venezuela, Hauer moved to New York at age eight and won a scholarship to the Martha Graham school of contemporary dance. She described dancing as an escape during her childhood, particularly when her mother was working. Hauer becomes emotional in the video, reflecting on her journey from the Bronx to becoming a fixture on British television.
