Strictly Come Dancing's longest-serving female professional dancer, Karen Hauer, 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'.
Hauer, who moved to New York City at age eight, reflected on her journey: 'Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher but as a human being. I've had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners who have become close friends.' She added that she would even 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 made the finals with Mark Wright in 2014 and finished runner-up with Jamie Laing in 2019. Before Strictly, she auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance in 2009 and came to the UK in 2010 with the Latin stage show Burn the Floor.
Born in Venezuela, Hauer won a scholarship to the Martha Graham school of contemporary dance at age nine, studying there for ten years. She previously told the Guardian that dancing was an escape during her childhood, allowing her to express emotions when her mother was working.
