As our longest serving female Pro, Karen’s about to take to the dance floor with her 12th celebrity partner!
Her journey started in 2012 with Westlife’s Nicky Byrne, which saw them dance all the way to Week 10. The following year she partnered up with Hairy Biker Dave Myers, enjoying an impressive run up to Week Seven.
For her third Strictly experience in 2014, Karen was paired with Essex boy Mark Wright. The couple made it all the way to the Final, landing in fourth place overall. In 2015 Karen partnered broadcaster Jeremy Vine, and despite their popularity, they bowed out in Week Eight.
Her fifth Strictly partner Will Young withdrew from the 2016 competition four weeks in, but Karen came back fighting in 2017 with TV chef Simon Rimmer. Unfortunately they finished in 11th place.
Karen's luck changed yet again in 2018 when she made it all the way to the Quarter Final with actor Charles Venn. But she went one better with comedian Chris Ramsey in 2019, making it all the way to the Semi Final!
Her Strictly success only got better, as her 2020 partnership with Jamie Laing was nearly a winner. The pair made it all the way to the Final, just losing out to Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse. 2021 saw Karen make it to Week Four with actor Greg Wise, and in 2022 she took to the dance floor with comedian and actor Jayde Adams, making it to Week Five. In 2023 she was partnered with comedian Eddie Kadi and agains made it to Week Five.
Could the Glitterball trophy be on the cards for Karen and her partner, footballer Paul Merson, this year?
Background
Karen was born in Valencia, Venezuela, and took up dancing after moving to New York when she was eight years old. Two years later she won a scholarship to the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. She studied African, contemporary and ballet before moving on to ballroom and Latin at 19.
As a dancer and choreographer, Karen has worked with some of the biggest stars in the world, including Jennifer Lopez. She has won numerous ballroom awards including World Mambo Champion in 2008 and Professional American Rhythm Rising Star Champion in 2009, and has starred as a principal dancer in the hit show Burn the Floor.
