Russian-born professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff became a household name through years on Strictly Come Dancing. Her run from 2008 to 2015 established her as one of the show’s most memorable stars.
The 2013 series marked a turning point. Partnering with rugby legend Ben Cohen sparked both professional chemistry and a personal relationship that would face intense public scrutiny.
After leaving the dance floor in 2015, she completely retrained as a yoga instructor. She co-founded Soo Yoga Group with Cohen in 2017, demonstrating serious commitment beyond celebrity ventures.
This look at her path cuts through tabloid noise to examine the real career trajectory. It explores how a television star sustains relevance after the spotlight fades, navigating business challenges and personal growth with determination.
Introduction to Kristina Rihanoff’s Dazzling Dance Journey
When Kristina Rihanoff joined the cast of Strictly Come Dancing in 2008, she brought a level of theatrical intensity that would define her seven-year tenure on the BBC phenomenon. Her technical precision and dramatic flair immediately set her apart from other professionals competing for screen time.
Over those years on the flagship entertainment show, she navigated unique pressures. Live television demanded flawless execution. Celebrity partnerships required adapting teaching methods to different skill levels. Tabloid attention added another layer of complexity to an already demanding schedule.
The 2013 series proved pivotal when paired with Ben Cohen. Their chemistry translated powerfully on camera. This partnership would ultimately shape her personal life for the next decade. Leaving Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another focused on motherhood and career sustainability.
Her dance journey represents more than competition wins and memorable routines. It demonstrates how performers transform visibility into lasting relevance. The path from television star to enduring career proves more complicated than audience perception suggests.
Kristina Rihanoff: A Legacy in Dance
Her seven-year run on the show carved out a distinct space defined by ambition and artistry.
Early Days on Strictly Come Dancing
From her first season, Kristina Rihanoff established a reputation for demanding choreography. She pushed celebrity partners to their limits, creating routines that balanced technical risk with pure television spectacle.
This approach quickly won over a dedicated segment of the show’s fans. They valued her focus on dance excellence over manufactured drama.
Milestones and Memorable Performances
Throughout those years, her performances became highlights of the series. She masterfully adapted classic Latin and ballroom styles for a modern audience.
These routines showcased her partners’ growth and her own innovative spirit. Many moments from her tenure remain vivid in the memory of longtime viewers.
Her legacy is that rare blend of serious technique and crowd-pleasing entertainment. She left the dance floor in 2015 as a true star of the program.
The Impact of Financial Struggles on a Rising Star
Financial pressures began mounting as the couple invested everything into their shared vision. Their wellness business represented more than just income—it embodied their professional partnership and family security.
The Soo Yoga Group and Pandemic Setbacks
Launching in June 2017, the Soo Yoga Group became their all-in commitment. They poured resources into a seven-studio facility combining yoga, dance, and fitness training.
The timing proved catastrophic. Opening in August 2019 gave them mere months before COVID-19 lockdowns shuttered operations completely. Revenue vanished while fixed costs accumulated.
By July 2022, Companies House records showed £488,470 in debt. The business collapse forced difficult decisions. Ben resigned as director, leaving Kristina Rihanoff as sole director of the failing venture.
Their £1.75 million family home went on the market. The property they’d lived in since 2016 became a casualty of their financial crisis.
These struggles tested their relationship profoundly. The star couple fought for financial survival while protecting their family stability during those challenging months.
Rediscovering Love: Rekindling the Bond with Ben Cohen
The couple’s appearance at a September 2025 fashion event spoke louder than any press release about their status. Just six months earlier, sources confirmed a split after twelve years together. Severe financial difficulties were cited as the cause.
That period apart gave both individuals space. They needed to evaluate if their relationship could survive the trauma of business collapse and public pressure.
Reunion Moments at Public Events
Photographs from the This Is Icon Awards told a new story. Kristina Rihanoff, 48, was seen with her arm draped over Ben Cohen, 47. They chatted comfortably at their table.
Their body language suggested genuine intimacy, not a performance for the cameras. It was a clear departure from the awkwardness of estranged partners.
Insiders quickly confirmed the visual evidence. A source told The Sun, “They’ve decided to give things another go. They looked very much in love.” Closer magazine reported the couple was officially back together.
The most concrete sign of commitment came off-stage. They took their family home off the market. This action signaled a choice to rebuild their life together, not divide it.
| Date | Public Event | Reported Status |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Split Announced | Parting ways due to financial strain. |
| September 2025 | This Is Icon Awards | Reconciliation confirmed; “marriage back on.” |
| Post-September 2025 | Private Action | Family home removed from the market. |
This reconciliation followed months of intentional work. The partner and Ben Cohen established new communication strategies. They approached their relationship with renewed purpose, aiming to break old patterns.
Inside the Relationship: Balancing Personal and Professional Life
Rebuilding their partnership required a new framework. The couple established clear rules during their time apart, creating a foundation stronger than their first attempt.
Rules, Resilience, and Rebuilding Together
A source close to Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff revealed the key to their reconciliation. They committed to “agreeing to disagree,” acknowledging their contrasting natures.
She admits to a hot-headed streak, while he owns being overly laid-back. This self-awareness helps them cancel out each other’s worst traits. They are rebuilding their marriage and business away from the public eye.
The focus is on solving difficulties together, not playing the blame game. This approach directly counters the stress that fractured their relationship initially.
Insights from Courtroom and Media Coverage
A court appearance in September 2024 offered a raw glimpse into their struggles. Ben Cohen gave evidence after Kristina was cited for driving without insurance.
He admitted to bungling the car insurance policy. Under oath, he stated he was “fighting to save his relationship and home.” This testimony highlighted the overwhelming pressure they faced.
The months of separation provided necessary perspective. It allowed them to decide if their relationship was worth the immense effort required for a fresh start.
Family Matters: From a Shared Home to Business Ventures
At the heart of their reconciliation stood a nine-year-old girl whose stability mattered more than any business venture. Their daughter Mila represented the compelling reason to work through seemingly insurmountable problems.
Ben’s twin daughters from his previous marriage added complexity to the family dynamic. Harriette and Isabelle, now fifteen, required Kristina to navigate stepmother responsibilities while managing relationship challenges.
The £1.75 million Sywell home served as both residence and symbol of everything at stake. They had lived there since 2016 before financial collapse forced them to list the property.
Taking the family home off the market after reconciliation signaled commitment to maintaining stability. It provided continuity for their daughter rather than the upheaval of moving.
Their November 2022 engagement came during better times, before business debts threatened their planned future. Family considerations influenced every major decision they faced during the crisis.
The shared responsibility of raising their daughter meant the couple remained connected even during separation. Years of building a blended family created bonds that proved difficult to untangle completely.
Courtroom Dramas and the Public Spotlight
What began as a minor traffic violation escalated into a public confession of financial ruin. The September 2024 court appearance revealed more than just an insurance lapse.
It exposed the overwhelming pressure facing the former rugby star and his partner. Ben Cohen took the stand to explain the administrative failure.
High-Profile Cases and Their Implications
Under oath, his testimony became a raw account of their struggle. “I get up every day and fight not to lose everything,” he told the court.
His admission of being “so overdrawn” painted a picture far beyond temporary cash flow problems. The couple’s financial collapse had reached crisis levels.
This legal proceeding created a permanent public record of their private pain. For a public figure like Ben Cohen, the humiliation added another layer to their difficulties.
The courtroom drama occurred months before their separation announcement. It showed the relationship was already under severe strain when financial desperation became official record.
Embracing Health and Wellness Through Dance and Yoga
The couple’s vision for a family-focused wellness center became their shared passion project in 2017. The professional dancer retrained completely as a yoga instructor, dedicating hundreds of hours to certification.
Navigating COVID-19 Challenges
Their seven-studio facility opened in August 2019 after the first lockdown. Initial success showed promise with a huge spike in community interest.
November and December 2020 lockdowns devastated the business completely. The partner described the uncertainty as psychologically crushing during those difficult months.
Studio Closures and New Beginnings
Revenue vanished while fixed costs accumulated rapidly. Their family-oriented model became a liability as parents prioritized essential expenses.
The emotional toll was substantial. They had invested everything into the venture without getting a real chance to develop it properly.
| Year | Event | Business Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Co-founded Soo Yoga Group | Initial planning and certification |
| August 2019 | Facility opens post-lockdown | Strong initial membership growth |
| November 2020 | Second lockdown begins | Revenue stops completely |
| December 2020 | Extended closure continues | Debt accumulation accelerates |
| May 2021 | Public interview about collapse | Business viability questioned |
Fan Reactions and Media Buzz Around the Couple
The digital landscape became a barometer for fan sentiment as news of the separation and reconciliation broke. Public engagement patterns revealed how deeply audiences connected with this high-profile partnership.
Social Media Highlights and Celebrity Opinions
March 2025’s separation announcement shocked loyal fans. Many had followed the couple since their 2013 Strictly Come Dancing partnership. Comment sections divided between supportive messages and “I saw it coming” predictions.
Social media activity quieted during the six-month separation. Both individuals stepped back from public engagement. This silence suggested private work on their relationship away from scrutiny.
The September 2025 fashion event reignited media buzz. Photographs circulated rapidly online. Fans debated whether this signaled true reconciliation or simple civility for their daughter.
Celebrity gossip outlets quickly amplified the story. Headlines emphasized the “love is back on” angle. This framing proved more satisfying than complex financial stress narratives.
The night of their public reunion shifted the media narrative completely. It transformed from “couple destroyed by money problems” to “inspiring reconciliation story.” Long-time fans expressed genuine relief at their resilience.
| Date | Event | Primary Fan Sentiment | Media Coverage Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Separation Announcement | Shock and speculation | Financial strain causes split |
| March-Sept 2025 | Separation Period | Quiet concern | Limited coverage, private matter |
| September 2025 | Public Reunion | Relief and celebration | Love story triumphs over adversity |
Stars from the entertainment world maintained professional distance. They largely avoided public commentary about the private matter. This restraint contrasted with intense fan investment in the outcome.
Fan reactions demonstrated the parasocial nature of celebrity relationships. People felt personally invested in a partnership they’d never directly experienced. The emotional responses revealed how public figures become part of audience identity.
Breaking Barriers: Expanding Horizons Beyond Dance
Leaving a flagship television show often signals the start of a slow decline for many performers. For this professional dancer, departure from Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 became a catalyst for reinvention.
She chose a path requiring serious commitment. Retraining as a yoga instructor demanded years of study, moving from expert to student again.
Innovative Projects and Future Collaborations
This shift demonstrated strategic thinking. Dance careers have natural limits, and sustainability requires diversification beyond performance.
The Soo Yoga Group venture, while ultimately unsuccessful, represented genuine entrepreneurship. It was a hands-on business, not a simple celebrity endorsement.
Her story highlights a common barrier for dancers. The challenge lies in translating physical skill into a business model that doesn’t rely solely on the body.
Kristina Rihanoff’s years after the show tested her expertise. Surviving financial catastrophe proved her acumen extended beyond television fame.
| Aspect | During Strictly Come Dancing Years | Post-Strictly Come Dancing Years |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Performance & Choreography | Wellness Instruction & Business |
| Public Platform | Weekly National Television | Local Community & Digital Presence |
| Income Source | Show Salary & Touring | Business Revenue & Teaching |
| Key Challenge | Competitive Performance | Market Competition & Sustainability |
Breaking barriers meant proving a dancer’s skills are highly transferable. Teaching, operations, and brand building became her new stage.
The star’s journey shows that a life after dance is possible. It requires humility, hard work, and a willingness to learn completely new skills.
Looking Forward: Future Projects and Aspirations
The future holds a careful balance of personal dreams and practical rebuilding for the couple. Their reconciliation revived hopes for a wedding that had been paused by financial collapse.
Sources confirmed the marriage is back on after their six months apart. This commitment now carries deeper meaning.
Upcoming Events and Potential Ventures
Stabilizing finances comes before any elaborate wedding plans. The partner and Ben Cohen focus on sustainable ventures this time.
Kristina Rihanoff may leverage her expertise in smaller wellness projects. Ben’s rugby legacy offers paths in coaching or speaking.
Their daughter and Ben’s twin daughters influence every decision. Family stability remains the non-negotiable priority for the coming years.
| Priority Area | Immediate Goal | Long-Term Vision |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship | Private, steady rebuilding | Formal commitment through marriage |
| Business | Debt reduction & stable income | Scaled-down, sustainable ventures |
| Family | Provide consistency for their children | A secure and blended home life |
Their painful experience could become a source of strength. It might even lead to new ventures built on hard-won resilience.
Final Reflections on an Everlasting Dance Journey
Beyond the sequins and spotlights lies a story of resilience that television cameras rarely capture. Kristina Rihanoff’s journey reveals character that choreography only hinted at.
Her Strictly Come Dancing legacy remains secure with fans who remember those brilliant years. But her significance now extends far beyond entertainment into real-life challenges most stars never face publicly.
The six months apart tested whether their partnership was built on genuine connection. Their reconciliation suggests they found something worth fighting for beyond convenience.
This story offers no fairy-tale ending because the work continues. Rebuilding businesses, managing debt, and co-parenting daughter Mila requires daily commitment without guaranteed success.
The marriage they plan carries weight their earlier engagement couldn’t have anticipated. It represents survival and conscious choice rather than easy commitment during prosperous times.
Her everlasting dance journey continues in life’s daily choreography. The discipline to fall, assess, and rise again applies to every challenge demanding resilience.
