From Kyiv to the Ballroom: The Rise of Dancer Nikita Kuzmin
In short: Born in Ukraine and raised in Italy, Nikita Kuzmin has become a fixture of European television. A six-time Italian dance champion, he is best known for his high-energy performances on Strictly Come Dancing. Beyond the glitz of the ballroom, he is a vocal advocate for living with type 1 diabetes.
Nikita Kuzmin, born in Kyiv on 23 December 1997, has navigated a diverse career across international dance stages. His family relocated to Italy when he was nine years old, and he later moved to Frankfurt, Germany, at age 18. His professional trajectory includes securing six Italian Championship titles and working for the dance company of Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse. His sister, Anastasia Kuzmina, is also a professional dancer, known for her appearances on the Italian show Ballando con le Stelle.
Kuzmin’s television career began in earnest in 2020 on the 13th season of the German competition Let's Dance. He gained wider prominence in 2021 when he joined the 19th series of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Over his tenure, he has partnered with various celebrities, including Tilly Ramsay, Ellie Simmonds, and Layton Williams, with whom he reached the final as a joint runner-up. His versatility extends beyond dance; in March 2024, he competed in the 23rd series of Celebrity Big Brother, finishing as the runner-up.
A significant aspect of Kuzmin’s public persona is his management of type 1 diabetes, which he was diagnosed with at age 13. He frequently wears his continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor during his performances on Strictly Come Dancing, making it visible in his costumes. This openness has provided visibility for the condition on mainstream television. Additionally, Kuzmin has used his platform to share personal experiences, including his public concerns regarding his grandmother’s safety in Ukraine following the Russian invasion in 2022, a situation that eventually saw them reunited.
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