Kym Johnson Returns to Dancing with the Stars as Guest Judge

Former professional dancer Kym Johnson is returning to Dancing with the Stars as a guest judge for the show's Season 35 Dedication Night on Tuesday, October 20. The Australian-born performer, who won the competition twice, will join the judging panel on ABC and Disney+ as audiences revisit her connection to the ballroom and her marriage to businessman Robert Herjavec.

Johnson, now known as Kym Johnson-Herjavec, competed as a professional on the American version of the show for 15 seasons. Her return follows her appearance during the 2025 Dedication Night episode, when viewers praised her feedback and called for her to receive a permanent seat on the judging panel, according to Yahoo's coverage.

Johnson previously explained why the competition remains important to her during an interview with Us Weekly ahead of her 2025 appearance.

"This show has been such an important part of my life, and returning to the ballroom always feels like coming home." Johnson said.

Born in Sydney, Johnson appeared during the first three seasons of Australia's version of the competition before joining the American series in 2006. Her first American partner was talk show host Jerry Springer.

She secured her first Mirrorball trophy in 2009 with singer Donny Osmond, becoming the first professional dancer to win the competition in two countries. In 2011, she claimed her second American title with former Pittsburgh Steelers player Hines Ward, according to ESPN. Johnson also finished second with Joey Fatone in 2007 and Warren Sapp in 2008.

Her other celebrity partners included David Arquette, Jaleel White, David Hasselhoff, Penn Jillette and Mark Cuban. Johnson's final competitive season was Season 24 in 2017, when she partnered with Mr. T. She returned in 2023 for a tribute to longtime head judge Len Goodman.

Johnson's relationship with Herjavec began when they were paired during Season 20 in 2015. They finished sixth, but their partnership developed into a romance. Herjavec proposed in February 2016, and the couple married in Los Angeles on July 31 that year.

During a February 2026 appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, the couple discussed how their relationship developed. Johnson said she initially wanted to maintain a professional relationship during the competition, while Herjavec continued trying to arrange a date.

Herjavec described his reaction when Johnson ultimately declined an invitation after initially agreeing to it.

"I was crushed," Herjavec said.

The couple eventually went on their first official date at a vow renewal ceremony for two of Herjavec's friends. They married less than a year after meeting, and Herjavec previously described the emotional significance of their relationship.

"I enjoy every minute I spend with Kym. When I met her, I felt complete," Herjavec said.

Johnson and Herjavec welcomed twins Hudson and Haven in April 2018. Johnson has discussed their fertility journey, explaining that the couple pursued in vitro fertilization after experiencing difficulties conceiving naturally. They transferred two embryos, which created the possibility of having twins.

Herjavec also has three older children, Caprice, Skye and Brendan, from his previous marriage to optometrist Diane Plese. The couple married in 1990 and separated in July 2014. Their divorce was finalized in June 2016, one month before Herjavec married Johnson.

Johnson and Herjavec divide their time between Canada and Australia, according to interviews cited by Yahoo. Their Canadian home is in Muskoka, and Johnson has also pursued acting, appearing in the Lifetime movie Hunting Housewives alongside former Dancing with the Stars contestants NeNe Leakes and Denise Richards.

Johnson's return follows a strong audience response to the 2025 Dedication Night broadcast. The episode attracted 5.98 million viewers and received 50.15 million votes, according to TheWrap. No contestant was eliminated that night, and judge Carrie Ann Inaba praised Johnson's performance in a comment on Instagram.

With Johnson joining the panel, contestants will be scored by four judges rather than three. Each routine can therefore receive up to 40 points, compared with the usual maximum of 30. The 2025 Dedication Night episode's highest score was 36.

In September 2026, Johnson also celebrated Herjavec's 64th birthday publicly. Johnson is 50, giving the couple a 14-year age difference, according to Yahoo's October 20 report. Their family life and her return to the ballroom remain connected to the competition where their relationship began.