Pasha Kovalev facts for kids

Pavel "Pasha" Kovalev (Russian: Па́вел "Па́ша" Ковалёв; born 19 January 1980) is a professional dancer from Russia. He is famous for his skills in Latin and ballroom styles.

Pasha started dancing when he was eight years old. In 2000, he moved to the United States with his dance partner, Anya Garnis. They competed on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance in 2007. After that, they worked on many more seasons of the show as choreographers or special partners.

From 2011 to 2018, Pasha was a professional dancer on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing in the United Kingdom. He finished second twice with celebrity partners Chelsee Healey and Kimberley Walsh. He then won the show in 2014 with his partner Caroline Flack. In his final series in 2018, he and Ashley Roberts finished second. They even set a record for the highest average score in the show's history at that time. Pasha decided to leave Strictly after seven series to explore other opportunities.

Pasha's Early Life and Dance Competitions

Pasha Kovalev began dancing when he was eight years old. Until 2000, he competed in Russia in the Amateur Latin dance category with his partner, Anya Garnis.

After moving to the United States, Pasha and Anya became professional dancers. From 2002, they competed in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. They were finalists in the US Open dance competition from 2002 to 2006.

Pasha on So You Think You Can Dance

In 2007, Pasha Kovalev and Anya Garnis tried out for So You Think You Can Dance in the US. Anya made it to the Top 12, and Pasha reached the Semi-Finals. They have both been involved in later seasons of the show. They worked as choreographers (creating dances) or as "All-Stars" (dancing with contestants).

Competing in Season 3

Pasha originally went to the audition to support Anya. However, he was asked to audition too. He and Anya were chosen as two of the 20 dancers to compete in the show's third season in 2007.

Pasha made it to the Top 6. He was eliminated on August 13, just before the final round. He lost to two other male dancers, Danny Tidwell and Neil Haskell. Sabra Johnson won the competition that year. Both Pasha and Anya later joined the So You Think You Can Dance Tour.

Choreographer and All-Star

Pasha and Anya continued to work on So You Think You Can Dance for many seasons. They helped create dances and performed as "All-Stars" with the contestants.

For example, in Season 4, they choreographed a Cha-Cha routine. In Season 5, they created a Samba dance. They also led choreography rounds during auditions in Season 6.

Pasha was an "All-Star" in Season 7 and Season 8. He performed all the Latin and Ballroom dances with the female contestants, including the winners. In Season 9, he choreographed a Cha-cha routine. He returned in Season 11 to choreograph a new Jive routine.

Pasha on Strictly Come Dancing

In September 2011, Pasha Kovalev joined the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. He became a new professional dancer for the ninth series. He reached the finals three times out of five series he competed in. He was a runner-up twice and won once.

Strictly Achievements

Pasha was one of the few Strictly professional dancers to reach the finals four times. He won Series 12 and was a runner-up in Series 9, 10, and 16.

With his Series 12 partner, Caroline Flack, and Series 16 partner Ashley Roberts, Pasha holds a record for the longest run of perfect scores (40 out of 40). They scored 40 for each of their last four dances. Caroline and Pasha were also the first to get a perfect score for all three of their dances in the final.

With Ashley Roberts, Pasha holds the record for the most perfect scores (40) by any couple, with five. Pasha also holds the record for the most perfect scores overall, with a total of 13.

Key

     Winner of the series

     Runner-up of the series

     Non finalist

     First elimination of the series

     Participating

Pasha has received the highest score in Strictly Come Dancing history for nine of the show's dance styles. Eight of these were perfect scores. He was the first professional dancer to get a perfect score for the Paso Doble and the Tango. He has also received a score of ten from at least one judge for almost all dance styles on the show.

The dances where he holds the record for the highest score include the Paso Doble and Rumba (with Chelsee Healey). He also holds records for the Charleston and Tango (with Kimberley Walsh). With Caroline Flack, he set records for the Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Charleston, and Showdance. With Ashley Roberts, he holds records for the Jive, American Smooth, Salsa, Showdance, and Charleston.

Highest and lowest scoring performances per dance

• Scores earned on Christmas or any other specials are not included;
• Green and Red numbers indicate the scores that were the best and worst per dance in Strictly history;
• Kovalev received an additional perfect score (40) for a Fusion dance of the Cha Cha Cha and Tango with Series 10 partner Kimberley Walsh.

Number of tens received per dance between series 9 and 16

• 10s earned on Christmas or any other specials are not included;
• Kovalev received 4 additional 10s for a Fusion dance of the Cha Cha Cha and Tango with Series 10 partner Kimberley Walsh.

All marks received per dance between series 9 and 16

• Marks earned on Christmas or any other specials are not included;
• * This style of dance was introduced for one series only and was performed as a mashup of the Cha Cha Cha and Tango on Week 10 of Series 10, receiving a perfect score from the judges.

Series 9: Dancing with Chelsee Healey

In his first series, Pasha was partnered with actress Chelsee Healey. They received a perfect score for their Paso Doble. They made it to the finals and finished as runners-up.

• Green number indicates Chelsee & Pasha were at the top of the leaderboard.
• Red number indicates Chelsee & Pasha were at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Series 10: Dancing with Kimberley Walsh

For the tenth series, Pasha danced with Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh. They received the first perfect score ever for the Tango. They also reached the finals and finished as runners-up.

Pasha became the first male professional dancer to reach two Strictly finals in a row.

• Green number indicates Kimberley & Pasha were at the top of the leaderboard

Series 11: Dancing with Rachel Riley

For the eleventh series, Pasha was partnered with TV presenter Rachel Riley. They were never at the very top or bottom of the leaderboard. In Week 6, they were eliminated from the competition.

Series 12: Winning with Caroline Flack

In 2014, Pasha partnered with TV presenter Caroline Flack. They earned the first perfect score of 40 for their salsa in the semi-finals. They then got three more perfect scores in the finals, making a total of 120 points. This was a record at the time. On December 20, 2014, Pasha and Caroline were crowned the champions of the series.

As the winners, they performed their Salsa routine again during the launch show of the next series.

• Green number indicates Caroline & Pasha were at the top of the leaderboard

Series 13: Dancing with Carol Kirkwood

In 2015, Pasha returned as the reigning champion and was paired with weather presenter Carol Kirkwood. They often had low scores but managed to stay in the competition for seven weeks without being in the bottom two. They were eliminated in Week 7.

• Red number indicates Carol & Pasha were at the bottom of the leaderboard

Series 14: Dancing with Naga Munchetty

For series fourteen, Pasha was partnered with BBC news presenter Naga Munchetty. They were eliminated in Week 4.

Series 15: Dancing with Chizzy Akudolu

For series fifteen, Pasha was paired with British actress Chizzy Akudolu. They were the first couple eliminated from the series in 2017.

Series 16: Dancing with Ashley Roberts

For Series 16, Pasha was partnered with former The Pussycat Dolls singer, Ashley Roberts. They became the highest-scoring couple of all time at that point.

They matched Pasha's previous record of scoring perfect 40s for all three dances in the final. They also set records for achieving the most 40s in a series (five) and the highest average score (36.94). They finished as joint runners-up.

• Score awarded by guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro *

• Green number indicates Ashley & Pasha were at the top of the leaderboard

Other TV Appearances

Pasha has appeared on other TV shows besides Strictly Come Dancing.

In 2008, Pasha and Anya Garnis performed on Dancing with the Stars in the US. In 2009, they represented Russia on the international dance show Superstars of Dance. In 2010, they were guest choreographers for So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

In 2013, Pasha was in the music video for "One Day I'll Fly Away" by his former Strictly partner Kimberley Walsh. He also helped comedian Miranda Hart with a ballroom dance challenge for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day 2013.

Strictly Come Dancing Charity Specials

Pasha has taken part in several Strictly Come Dancing charity specials.

• In 2011, he danced in a Strictly BBC Newsreaders program for Children in Need.
• In 2016, he partnered with Olympic rower Helen Glover for the Strictly Come Dancing Children in Need Strictly Special.
• In 2012, Pasha and Chelsee Healey won the Sport Relief 2012 Strictly Come Dancing Underwater special for Sport Relief.
• In 2014, Pasha and Paralympic gold medalist Hannah Cockroft won a Paralympian special for Sport Relief 2014.

Key

     Winner of the special

     Non winner

     Participating

Key

     Winner of the special

     Non winner

     Participating

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Specials

Pasha has also taken part in several Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Specials.

• In 2012, he and Chelsee Healey performed a group dance.
• In 2013, he partnered with West End star Elaine Paige. They got the highest score of the night but did not win.
• In 2015, Pasha partnered with TV presenter Lisa Snowdon. They earned 37 points but did not win.
• In 2016, Pasha danced with actress Pamela Stephenson. They earned 39 points but did not win.
• In 2017, Pasha reunited with his Series 10 partner Kimberley Walsh. They earned 39 points, the highest score of the night, but did not win.

Key

     Winner of the special

     Non winner

     Participating

Performances and judges' scores

• Green number indicates the couple was at the top of the judges' leaderboard.

Stage Shows

Pasha has also performed in various stage shows.

Burn the Floor

In 2009, Pasha and Anya Garnis joined the cast of Burn the Floor on Broadway. This is a famous ballroom dance show. They also toured with the show in 2010. Pasha left the show in 2011 to join Strictly Come Dancing.

Live Dance Tours

Pasha has been part of many live dance tours.

So You Think You Can Dance Live Tour

In 2007, Pasha was a main dancer on the So You Think You Can Dance Season 3 Live Tour. He visited 50 cities across the United States.

Strictly Come Dancing Live!

Pasha took part in the Strictly Come Dancing Live! 2012 Tour with Chelsee Healey. He also joined the 2013 Tour with Dani Harmer. He did not participate in the 2014 or 2015 tours.

An Evening with Katya and Pasha

Pasha formed a dance partnership with fellow Strictly professional Katya Virshilas. They toured the UK with their show An Evening with Katya and Pasha from 2012 to 2014.

Life Through Dance

Starting in March 2015, Pasha performed across Britain with his original partner Anya Garnis as a special guest. This was part of his Life Through Dance Tour.

It's All About You

Pasha announced his 2016 It's All About You tour. It included 74 shows. Anya Garnis was again a guest star.

Dancing With The Stars Weekend

Pasha was scheduled to appear at the Dancing With The Stars Weekend in April 2020.

Pasha's Personal Life

Pasha Kovalev and his professional dance partner Anya Garnis started dating when they were teenagers. They met in dance class in Siberia. They moved to the United States together in 2000.

Pasha is against the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and supports peace.

Pasha started dating his former Strictly partner Rachel Riley in 2013. They got married in Las Vegas in June 2019. Their first daughter was born in December 2019, and their second daughter was born in November 2021.

See also

In Spanish: Pasha Kovalev para niños