Dasha Chesnokova calls Shirley Ballas’ romance with Giuseppe Nonnis a betrayal
- Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas faces a public warning from dancer Dasha Chesnokova over a rumored romance with Italian professional Giuseppe Nonnis.
- Rumors surrounding Ballas and Nonnis intensified after the pair were spotted on a dog walk together, during which Nonnis placed his hand on Ballas's neck and back while...
- Chesnokova, 38, stated that she met Ballas in 2008 after arriving in the United States from Ukraine with Dancing with the Stars partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy, who introduced her...
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas faces a public warning from dancer Dasha Chesnokova over a rumored romance with Italian professional Giuseppe Nonnis. Chesnokova, who was engaged to Nonnis for four years, described a potential relationship between the 66-year-old judge and the 36-year-old dancer as the ultimate betrayal, according to reporting by The Sun.
The Background of the Romance Rumors
Rumors surrounding Ballas and Nonnis intensified after the pair were spotted on a dog walk together, during which Nonnis placed his hand on Ballas’s neck and back while waiting in a coffee queue. According to The Sun, Nonnis has also been seen driving Ballas’s £100,000 Porsche and joined her to celebrate her birthday earlier in September at Mamma Mia! The Party at London’s O2. Speculation first began in April when both Ballas and Nonnis posted photographs from the same ice bath at Ballas’s home, prompting questions from fellow dancers.
Chesnokova’s Reaction and Mentor History
Chesnokova, 38, stated that she met Ballas in 2008 after arriving in the United States from Ukraine with Dancing with the Stars partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy, who introduced her to Ballas for dance lessons. Speaking from her dance studio in Houston, Texas, Chesnokova expressed deep hurt over the current situation.
Shirley was my mentor for nearly two decades. I have looked up to her for years. And I introduced her to Giuseppe. If they were together I would be so hurt. She’s a mature woman and I’m a young girl compared to her. She’s known me a long time and has been like a dance mum to me. It would be like your mum taking your boyfriend. She knew how much we loved each other so to be with him romantically would be the ultimate betrayal.
Dasha Chesnokova, speaking to The Sun
While Chesnokova noted that Nonnis stays at Ballas’s home on and off, she confirmed he has not permanently moved in. Representatives for Shirley Ballas and Giuseppe Nonnis have not commented on the relationship rumors as the new series of Strictly Come Dancing approaches.