New professional dancer for Strictly 2012
Karen Hauer, 30, has been confirmed as a brand new professional dancer for Strictly Come Dancing 2012 when it returns this autumn.
Most recently Karen starred as a principal dancer in the hit show 'Burn The Floor'. She is a ballroom dancer from Valencia, Venezuela who moved to New York when she was eight years old.
Karen is trained as a dancer and choreographer and 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.
Karen Hauer
Karen on joining Strictly: "If I could dance how I feel about joining Strictly - then you'd be able to see how excited I am!"
Karen completes the sparkling line-up of professionals who are: Aliona Vilani, Erin Boag, Flavia Cacace, Kristina Rihanoff, Natalie Lowe, Ola Jordan, Anton Du Beke, Artem Chigvintsev, Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Robin Windsor and Vincent Simone.
Ö÷²¥´óÐã's Controller of Entertainment Katie Taylor adds; "We welcome Karen to our Strictly family - we're thrilled to have such a fresh and talented professional join us and I can't wait to see what she will bring to the ballroom this autumn."
Comment number 1.
At 23rd Jun 2012, TashaLouise-x wrote:I'll just leave this here.
Not going to pass judgement on Karen until I see her dance but I am sure she will be a fine asset to the show. I have a problem, however, with the fact I only noticed Katya's departure via the list of 'spot the pro' here.
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Comment number 2.
At 23rd Jun 2012, Greensforge wrote:I'm sure Karen will be a fine addition to the pro team. I just wish it had not been at Katya's expense.
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Comment number 3.
At 23rd Jun 2012, wackywendy wrote:So, yet again, no British female dancers on the show.
Very sad !
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Comment number 4.
At 23rd Jun 2012, suzy56 wrote:I too am astonished to see Katya's name missing form the line up. Where was the announcement of her departure? What about some acknowledgement of the good work she has done while on Strictly and some thanks?! The Beeb is treating it's Strictly fans with contempt these days, taking us for granted. They make changes willy nilly with no consideration for what the fans are saying. The last series was nowhere near as good as the earlier ones - no reflection on the dancers.
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Comment number 5.
At 23rd Jun 2012, sapphirek05 wrote:I think this year on strictly they should have a bollywood star to join the show. It will give it a twist. like in the american version they have british people joining the show such as kathryn jenkins.I think to get more raitings and more viewers having someone from bollywood could enhance this. someone like preity zinta (looks a bit like cheryl cole lol) or mahima chaudry...it will be an awesome show..i cant wait for this show to start i might even come and see it this year..Please Ö÷²¥´óÐã bring in a BOLLYWOOD STAR.
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Comment number 6.
At 23rd Jun 2012, lostchachachamp wrote:Won't judge the new girl, but there isno menyion of Katya, The way I read about Katya was I googled latest news of Strictly Come dancing pro dancers 2012 and I went into the mirror website. But I am happy that they keep the rest of the pro dancers
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Comment number 7.
At 23rd Jun 2012, jo scott wrote:I'm sure KH will be fine but I'm sad to see Katya go. One of my favourite female pros.
She did a great job with Phil and Gavin. She deserved a chance to shine this year.
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Comment number 8.
At 23rd Jun 2012, lostchachachamp wrote:there isno menyion- that is meant to be there is no mention. Can't Spell now. Can't wait for Strictly 2012 to start.
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Comment number 9.
At 23rd Jun 2012, curly girl wrote:Disappointed to lose Katya, really lovely dancer. Equally disappointed that a British girl has not been chosen as her replacement. Don't we have any good dancers in this country?
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Comment number 10.
At 24th Jun 2012, watty wrote:If Bruce Forsyth is going to be the compere AGAIN, I will not be watching. He is a total bore, not the least bit funny any more. When he tells his 'so called' jokes, he has to 'ASK' for his applause. Very poor. He should retire gracefully and let someone younger have a chance to compere this otherwise brilliant show. Last year's Sunday night shows were brilliant with the two ladies as comperes.
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Comment number 11.
At 24th Jun 2012, englishangelmcf wrote:We love strictly in this house. I am sure there are reasons why Katya has been dropped (announced 3 days ago BTW but I only saw it allied to this story). Could they not say 'will not be returning' as 'has been dropped' sounds very negative? Bollywood star sounds good to me, but we have had US stars too. I hope Michael Vaughan will be good, he always seems very elegant.
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Comment number 12.
At 24th Jun 2012, jitterbugjames997 wrote:I Think She'll Be A Great Addition To The Show But I Would Really Like To See For Next Years Strictly An All Star Cast Like The American Show Is Doing. It Will Be A Great Chance To See What Previous Competitors Will Be Picked In The Celebrity Line Up. If The Ö÷²¥´óÐã Were To Do It I Would Love For Some Of The American Celebrities And Professionals To Take Part!
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Comment number 13.
At 25th Jun 2012, rueben wrote:I loved Katya on strictly,she was a fantastic dancer and choreographer and worked wonders with Gavin Henson.How gutting for her to be the only dancer fired from the team, she did'nt deserve that and how come James Jordan stays!! When (So you think you can dance) was aired on Ö÷²¥´óÐã, there was a fantastic paso dance that katya and her boyfriend choreographed and the audience broke into raptures,it was really exciting stuff.I urge the strictly producers to reinstate her and hire another male pro dancer to partner the new girl Karen Hauer.
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Comment number 14.
At 26th Jun 2012, wickedlightblue wrote:The home page states "meet the new dancer" "plus the full pro line up" but I can't find the link to the full pro line up. Can anyone direct me? Why is this web site so unfriendly.
I notice "meet the team" still has all the details from the 2011 show, including pictures of Ms Dixon.
Does anyone know the web link for applying to be in the audience of the TV shows when they start in October?
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Comment number 15.
At 27th Jun 2012, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Strictly James wrote:wickedlightblue: There is only one link from the main promo at the top of the page, but both pieces of information - new dancer details and full pro line-up - are contained within the same article.
Our new site isn't currently ready to go live, so we had to post the information on the old site.
Sorry for any confusion.
James
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Comment number 16.
At 27th Jun 2012, lostchachachamp wrote:how come James Jordan stays- in some ways We like a bad boy, and it would be boring if no pro dancer argues with the judges in the same way as James does. In a way ,I feel sorry for Katya for the only pro that is leaving. But maybe some Strictly Fans are still mad over the last time strictly axed/ dropped (whatever you want to called it) 5 or 6 pro dancers. they might have learned from that. I
for one love to see, Matthew, Darren,Lilia, Ian, Karen back.
Roll on Strictly 2012.
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Comment number 17.
At 27th Jun 2012, Greensforge wrote:Even though I liked Matthew, Darren et al, I don't think I'd like to roll back to the past, I'd have preferred it if the production team had been a bit bolder and carried out their intentions to have a clean sweep rather than just single out one person that nobody expected to see go. After all the hype the new producers have turned out to be a timid bunch who seem out of touch with the viewers' preferences. But most of all I wish they'd get some better celebs. And PLEASE - someone with more than one brain cell for Pasha!
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Comment number 18.
At 27th Jun 2012, lostchachachamp wrote:I'd have preferred it if the production team had been a bit bolder and carried out their intentions to have a clean sweep rather than just single out one person that nobody expected to see go. - Understand where you are coming from, I was surprise that only pro dancer was axed / dropped than like what you said a clean sweep or have a couple of them. I think, with me any way that we were expecting James Jordan and probably Ola as well to be axed/dropped and I was expecting more
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Comment number 19.
At 27th Jun 2012, brunoforpresident wrote:Is it known whether Katya had other commitments? There may be other reasons why she is not on the show this year.
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Comment number 20.
At 27th Jun 2012, Greensforge wrote:18. lostchachachamp - I never believed for one minute that James and Ola would go - they are both too entertaining and seem to be able to build happy, lively relationships with their celebs. I had thought that Anton and Erin might be at risk while Robin has suffered from being continually partnered with middle of the road competitors. I hope Robin and Brendan both get good dance partners this year. I wish Pasha could loosen up a bit and showcase his comic abilities more. Chelsee was a decent dancer but they didn't seem to connect all that well on a social level and his sense of humour seemed lost on her. Maybe we'll see some fireworks if he's given Karen as a pro partner.
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Comment number 21.
At 27th Jun 2012, lostchachachamp wrote:yes, I hope that Robin and Brendan both get good dancers partners this year. I think Robin couldn't show how good a dancer he is. Brendan is a good dancer and if he had a decent dancer, i could see him winning Strictly.
What I meant about James and Ola been axed/ dropped was that they weren't on the live tour and i know that you couldn't belive everything that you read on internet or newspaper that it was looking like that they were the first to go. But I am happy they are staying because We need a bad boy in strictly which is James.
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