Karina Smirnoff (Ukrainian: Карiна Смiрнова; Russian: Кapинa Cмиpнoвa; born Karina Smirnova; January 2, 1978) is a Ukrainian[1] professional ballroom dancer. She is best known to the general public for her appearances on Dancing with the Stars, where she held a runner-up title, a semi-final title, and several quarter final titles. Smirnoff finally became the champion professional partner in the thirteenth season, when she was partnered with army veteran and soap opera star J.R. Martinez.
She is also a five-time U.S. National Champion, World Trophy Champion, and Asian Open Champion. Smirnoff has won the title at the UK Open, is a three-time champion at the US Open, two-time champion at the Asian Open, five-time champion at the Dutch Open, and five-time US National Professional Champion. She has taken second at the British Open Blackpool Dance Festival[2] and she is the first woman to also ever make the "British Professional Final" with three different partners.
